Transportation from Southampton cruise port

[Hawaiiatheart]

We will be arriving at Southampton, following a transatlantic cruise on the Celebrity Edge, and need recommendations for transportation to London's Heathrow for 7 passengers. Any personal recommendations? Your help is greatly appreciated.

[jagsfan]

We will be arriving at Southampton, following a transatlantic cruise on the Celebrity Edge, and need recommendations for transportation to London's Heathrow for 7 passengers. Any personal recommendations? Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Southampton White Taxis.

 

 

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[sunsetbeachgal]

We were a group of seven people plus luggage and used Smiths For Airports for transportation from Southampton to LHR in June. Very pleased with service, vehicle, etc. Would highly recommend!

 

 

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[wheezedr]

Used Smith’s in July and service was perfect. Changed my pickup time day before arrival and they were at the door right as I asked.

[Ashland]

Another vote for Smith's For Airports...very recent experience....July 22nd London Hotel to Southampton and July 29th Southampton to LHR.

[John Bull]

Southampton White Taxis.

 

 

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Not a name we see on Cruise Critic, but a reputable local organisation.

Started life as a city taxi operator ( "hackney carriages", licensed to stand at taxi ranks or be hailed in the streets, and fares determined by meter). But has expanded into also offering "private hire" pre-booked fixed-price journeys and tours way beyond the city limits.

 

The "Southampton White Taxis" name might confuse - local by-laws require that all of the city's taxis, including those on the rank at the pier, are white (and have an illuminated "taxi" sign on the roof) and most of them belong to other taxi organisations or privateers.

 

And, unless you're heading to a destination in or very close to Southampton, don't simply take a taxi from that rank at the pier - those are all metered "hackney carriages" and for longer journeys the meter rates are much much higher than the fixed "private hire" rates for pre-booked transfers.

 

Private hire cars, like those of Smiths, West Quay Cars, Aquacars, etc can be any colour & don't have a taxi sign on the roof. Unless the operator wants to sign-write the car the only thing to distinguish it from the rest of the traffic is a little red taxi number plate on the back.

There's no problem if you pre-book a car for Heathrow etc from "Southampton White Taxis". It might have the illuminated taxi sign on the roof, but the meter will be irrelevant.

 

JB :)