Car Service from Southampton

[DesertRat46]

Any recommendations hired car service from Southampton to Brighton and from Brighton to Heathrow? 

Relate, is a day trip from Brighton to Rye and Hastings easily doable?

[John Bull]

 

Southampton to Brighton by train is cheap (£19.20) & simple (direct hourly service), and at under 2 hours it's not a lot slower than by road

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

(Southampton Central to Brighton)

Trains are faster, more frequent and easier than Amtrak, and used by all levels of society

But if you want a private transfer Southampton to Brighton try

https://westquaycars.com/

https://gunwharf-executive-travel.co.uk/

https://www.aquacars.co.uk/

All are based in the Southampton area, so no good for Brighton to Heathrow.

 

Can't help with private transfers  from Brighton to Heathrow, but by public transport there's a direct hourly National Express coach service, fare about £15, journey time 2hrs 15 mins.

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en

Coaches are comfortable, with bathroom & at-seat wifi, driver loads luggage.

 

You'll need a car+driver (or rental car) for your day trip from Brighton to Hastings and Rye - again sorry, I can't help.

But unless you have a special reason, Hastings and Rye / Rye Harbour although pleasant don't have much to offer,.  If you're thinking of the Norman conquest,1066 and the Battle of Hastings - the battle wasn't at Hastings, it was 15 miles away at a settlement subsequently named Battle.   https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/

To make the day more interesting I suggest you take the coast road from Brighton, the Seven Sisters at Birling Gap, Beachy Head, the seafront at Eastbourne (known locally as "God's waiting room)"😏, Pevensey Castle, Hastings & Rye if you wish, then return to Brighton by the inland route to Battle and Lewes. 

About 100 miles, something under 4 hours driving.

  https://goo.gl/maps/38KYAxZ57rDiVixN8

 

JB 🙂

 

Edited March 24, 2023 by John Bull

[Globaliser]

8 hours ago, John Bull said:

You'll need a car+driver (or rental car) for your day trip from Brighton to Hastings and Rye - again sorry, I can't help.

 

This is also feasible by train. There are direct trains between Brighton and Hastings (about 1¼ or 1½ hours), and then there are direct trains between Hastings and Rye (20 mins). Additional itineraries are also available that involve a change, which could get you to your destination faster than waiting for the next direct train.

[scottbee]

Take the train.

Quick and easy between Southampton and Brighton; and a loooot cheaper than a private car service

It's operated by Southern Railway https://www.southernrailway.com/ who will have the best fares on their website

 

One train per hour, takes just under 2 hours with a very scenic route along the coast

 

[Momnipotent]

We will have lots of luggage, so are choosing a private transfer to Heathrow from Portsmouth. I found a company that has been great to deal with so far. Get a quote from Gunwharf Executive Travel. 

[Cobbie48]

We used West Quay on recommendation of John Bull September 2019. Picked us up at the port gave us a tour around the New Forest and dropped us at Heathrow Hilton where we spent the night. Great driver, Mercedes sedan highly recommend 

[DesertRat46]

Thanks for the input. Wife has mobility issues and the stairs on the bus would be a problem. I know US trains normally have several stairs to the seating area, so we are looking for a car, despite the cost.

[Globaliser]

10 hours ago, DesertRat46 said:

I know US trains normally have several stairs to the seating area ...

 

This is normally not the case with trains in the UK. Typically, there is at most one modest step up from platform to train. Even for wheelchair users, trains are easily accessible with the aid of a small portable ramp that station staff will help with. There's an illustration below to give you an idea of the size of the step.

 

However, if even that would be a problem, then I agree that a car would be the only feasible solution left.

 

[DesertRat46]

Thanks. Haven't been to the UK in several years and didn't remember the train boarding. This might work. Lot cheaper than a car.