QM2 Disembarkation Southampton

[artvlay]

Trying to schedule transportation from Southampton cruise terminal to LHR.

What time should I schedule to be picked up?

How long does it usually take to get to the airport.  (It will be Friday) We have a 12:50 flight.

Are there any companies that you can recommend that are reasonable and reliable?

Thank you 

[D&N]

We used https://www.aerotaxis-southampton.co.uk/

But there are lots of others. Search for "Southampton taxis UK"

I would self disembark carrying all your own luggage just after 7am and book a car for 7.30am.

It should be possible to make the trip in around 75 minutes, but it could take 2 hours or more if traffic was particularly bad.

You might get away with travelling a bit later on but I would aim to get to Heathrow as quickly as possible to minimise risk of missing flight.

 

[BigMac1953]

WE've used https://www.tmrchauffeurs.co.uk/ at least 30 times.

 

Get a quote for a S-Class Merc.

 

Journey time around 2 hours max.

[TouchstoneFeste]

And (my usual cross-referencing to other forums) see this thread in the British Isles/Western Europe forum:

Any advice from a fellow named John Bull can be trusted. 

[rog747]

I agree with the poster above and would self disembark carrying all your own luggage off the ship if you have a 12.50 flight.
The ship normally clears by 7.30am.

So a car booked for 8am or 8.30am is fine.
 

It should normally be a ride of around 90 minutes, and Terminal 5 is the first drop, and the quickest.

If you are going from T2/T3 or T4 it may take 10-15 minutes more.

But the journey could take more if traffic is bad or there is an accident on the M3 or the M25.
Friday can be busy but traffic usually builds up later in the day.

The airline check-in closes out at one hour before your flight (ie:11.45)
That is the last moment you can arrive at the Desk and get on!
 

 

[david63]

4 hours ago, rog747 said:

The airline check-in closes out at one hour before your flight

Beware though that by leaving it that late you may have problems with luggage. Most airports/airlines around the world are now saying that for checked in luggage you should arrive three hours pre cruise and in some cases four hours.

 

Also you need yo build in a contingency plan in the event of the ship being late into port.

 

Personally I would never book a flight on the day of disembarkation of cruise before mid/late afternoon.

[rog747]

Check-in closure at -60 minutes before departure is the latest for the baggage drop/check-in.

That is what airlines work to to 'close out' the flight and begin to do the load sheet and take any Standbys etc.
Some Europe flights, airlines may work to -45minutes, as do BA at some outstations.  

Just saying this as should one get held up, then panic stations can kick in at after -60 LOL

[artvlay]

Thank you for the good advice. Not sure of the terminal. We are flying BA to Rome.

On your suggestions we will take our luggage off and book the car for 7:30.

[rog747]

6 hours ago, artvlay said:

Thank you for the good advice. Not sure of the terminal. We are flying BA to Rome.

On your suggestions we will take our luggage off and book the car for 7:30.

BA Rome FCO will be T5 which is just off the M25 and the first terminal drop driving from SOU.

BA Euro flights check-in closes (and bag drop) at 60 minutes before departure.
If you are flying Club Europe then there a a few Lounges to wait in at T5.

I think keep an eye of the ship docking time in case of any delays, and let the Car firm know you are getting off ASAP once the ship clears. They usually know the drill. 
They may suggest 7.45 or 8am is quite OK just in case of a late clearance.
Give them your flight number and times of course.

[artvlay]

4 hours ago, rog747 said:

BA Rome FCO will be T5 which is just off the M25 and the first terminal drop driving from SOU.

BA Euro flights check-in closes (and bag drop) at 60 minutes before departure.
If you are flying Club Europe then there a a few Lounges to wait in at T5.

I think keep an eye of the ship docking time in case of any delays, and let the Car firm know you are getting off ASAP once the ship clears. They usually know the drill. 
They may suggest 7.45 or 8am is quite OK just in case of a late clearance.
Give them your flight number and times of course.

This is great information. The people on Cruise Critic are a wealth of information. Thank you 

[artvlay]

1 minute ago, artvlay said:

This is great information. The people on Cruise Critic are a wealth of information. Thank you 

Can terminal T5 change over time or will that remain the assigned terminal?

[rog747]

3 minutes ago, artvlay said:

Can terminal T5 change over time or will that remain the assigned terminal?

BA do fly from T3 as well but on some mainly longer flights, but just check your booking details and the Terminal will be displayed. 

[D&N]

@artvlay

You don't specify the actual date of travel, but LHR>FCO is usually served several times a day. If you arrive early enough at T5 you could see the BA staff as quickly as possible and might be transferred to an earlier flight if seats are available. You don't need to find a formal desk, there are staff hanging about at entrances to the bag drop areas.

And if you did suffer a delay there are probably at least another two flights in the day.

We are in a very similar situation when flying home to Nice, having a flight at least every three hours.

 

Edited March 14 by D&N