Travelling Ireland to Southampton (2023)

[Meka3256]

I have booked a cruise for March 2023 (so ages away).  However I was wondering about experiences of those who have travelled from their home in Ireland to Southampton to board the ship.  What travel methods did you use, and what were the pro's and cons?

I understand in general what options there are, so I am not after info about what the options are in theory - I am interested in actual experiences, and what people felt worked for them, or were more challenging.

I am not necessarily looking for the cheapest option (although a private plane is definitely out of my budget lol), but the one that was least stressful.  So for example I am thinking about travelling a couple of days before and staying in a Hampshire hotel in case planes/ferries don't run etc.

Has anyone for example sent suitcases ahead?  If you fly, did you go into London and get a taxi, or straight into Southampton?  Or is driving and ferry an easier option?  Or getting the ferry and then picking up the chartered bus?

I understand experiences will be pre-covid and it's not clear what will be available in 2 years time eg covid has seen the death of a lot of regional flight routes which may impact on what routes go into Southampton airport.  However I am interested in any info people have from past experiences.

 

[Eddie99]

Hi Meka.

This is just a quick post to say that your question is quite specialised and it may take a while for the people who have some experience to spot your request and reply

I have certainly seen posts about the Baggage Handling Company, so you might want to search for them whilst you are waiting 

We met a lovely couple from Ireland on a recent cruise but I don’t remember any details about their journey to Southampton, though I know we did talk about it.  They drove, possibly using the Holyhead ferry crossing

Good luck with your planning - as you say, you’ve got plenty of time!

[PORT ROYAL]

2 hours ago, Meka3256 said:

I have booked a cruise for March 2023 (so ages away).  However I was wondering about experiences of those who have travelled from their home in Ireland to Southampton to board the ship.  What travel methods did you use, and what were the pro's and cons?

I understand in general what options there are, so I am not after info about what the options are in theory - I am interested in actual experiences, and what people felt worked for them, or were more challenging.

I am not necessarily looking for the cheapest option (although a private plane is definitely out of my budget lol), but the one that was least stressful.  So for example I am thinking about travelling a couple of days before and staying in a Hampshire hotel in case planes/ferries don't run etc.

Has anyone for example sent suitcases ahead?  If you fly, did you go into London and get a taxi, or straight into Southampton?  Or is driving and ferry an easier option?  Or getting the ferry and then picking up the chartered bus?

I understand experiences will be pre-covid and it's not clear what will be available in 2 years time eg covid has seen the death of a lot of regional flight routes which may impact on what routes go into Southampton airport.  However I am interested in any info people have from past experiences.

 

A few years ago met a couple on QM who sent 4 suitcases from Ireland to their booked hotel in Southampton with Sherpr for safety arriving two days before their flight.  Think from memory they  paid about £120.00  Taxi from Airport to Hotel for overnight at Ageas Southampton then private taxi to ship with suitcases as part of the Hotel package.  Post cruise they flew back, so think they may have used Sherpr again, but don’t exactly know.  Worth giving Sherpr a call.

 

[Manx buoy]

On 5/2/2021 at 9:12 AM, Meka3256 said:

I have booked a cruise for March 2023 (so ages away).  However I was wondering about experiences of those who have travelled from their home in Ireland to Southampton to board the ship.  What travel methods did you use, and what were the pro's and cons?

I understand in general what options there are, so I am not after info about what the options are in theory - I am interested in actual experiences, and what people felt worked for them, or were more challenging.

I am not necessarily looking for the cheapest option (although a private plane is definitely out of my budget lol), but the one that was least stressful.  So for example I am thinking about travelling a couple of days before and staying in a Hampshire hotel in case planes/ferries don't run etc.

Has anyone for example sent suitcases ahead?  If you fly, did you go into London and get a taxi, or straight into Southampton?  Or is driving and ferry an easier option?  Or getting the ferry and then picking up the chartered bus?

I understand experiences will be pre-covid and it's not clear what will be available in 2 years time eg covid has seen the death of a lot of regional flight routes which may impact on what routes go into Southampton airport.  However I am interested in any info people have from past experiences.

 

Hi Meka we’re not Ireland but Isle Of Man so similar. We’ve gone both ways flying and ferry/car, when flying usually have to go via Manchester and inter line our bags all the way to Southampton so no need to touch them at Manchester. I would think you’ll be able to get a direct flight from Ireland by 2023 they were available before Covid so they will return. On the ferry we go to Heysham and it’s around 5 hours to drive down to the hotel we use with onsite parking for the duration of the cruise. As you say always travel at least the day before the cruise and on return book flights for mid afternoon at the earliest or ferry for the evening sailings. We’ve had a few problems when flying but always got there in the end sometimes in a coach from Manchester to Southampton. Hope this helps 🇮🇲

[sddsddean]

Over the last few years, a lot of US passengers have opted to fly to Dublin, then change on to a flight to Southampton. It was cheaper than direct to London and also saved the 'faff' of going through Heathrow...much easier at Southampton. So, no personal experience, but I would definately look into flying in to Southampton. Its also only a 20 min cab ride from the port and hotels.

 

Simon

[hooked cruiser]

We live in Ireland also and travel to Southampton frequently.  Depending on the length of the cruise we sometimes fly from Dublin  (I understand a new company are now flying there).

Other times we drive over and take the ferry from Rosslare to either Fishguard or Pembroke.

The drive is fairly straight forward and we do it to Southampton in about 4.5 hours after leaving the ferry.

Worth considering travelling the day before and booking in to a hotel in Southampton with long term car parking or use one of the local long stay companies.  (Do your homework as prices vary considerably).  I hope this helps?

[Meka3256]

Thanks all for the replies.  Really helpful!

 

[Harters]

I'm only travelling from northwest Englanbd but would echo the comments about travelling the day before. Much less stressful than doing it on the day, which we did on our first cruise.

 

Last cruise, we drove, stayed overnight in nice hotel where we enjoyed a good dinner and leisurely breakfast and left the car with one of the parking companies at the port. Car of course is pretty much ready and waiting when you disembark so no hanging about waiting for flights, etc. 

[maximusas]

Hi, we live in Belfast and have done this route a few times.  We have found flying to Southampton directly the easiest. You can fly to Heathrow and get a transfer (£95) or Gatwick and get a 2 hour train (£17pp).

 

We are due to go soon, we are going the night before (Staying in Holiday Inn) and then coming back the day after (White Star Tavern) - simply because there is no flight for us on the Saturday and we couldn't be bothered with the messing around getting to Heathrow. Only downside for us is it's only 15kg luggage allowance with Eastern Airways.