South Hampton Travel Questions

[TheBigErn]

Disney Norway cruise leaving from South Hampton July 27 and returning August 3 2026. So we will fly into LHR July 26, travel to SH and stay overnight. We are 4 adults. Haven't decided on our Pre-cruise hotel yet. But looking for suggestions for getting from Heathrow to SH (and back). Then from the hotel to the hotel to the terminal. Also, do you book the SH to terminal in advance or can you get a ride the departure morning?

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We used TwelveTransfers https://www.twelvetransfers.co.uk/ to get to Southampton. I would recommend them as to price and service.

We used a local taxi, booked in advance online, to get from our hotel to the port for embarkation. I would not try to book a taxi day-of.

 

[Mommb]

When my husband and I first cruised from Southampton, we flew into Heathrow on a flight that arrived in the evening 2 days before the cruise and stayed overnight at a hotel at the airport. The next morning we took a bus through International Friends that picked us up at the hotel, stopped in Stonehenge for a few hours, and dropped us off near the port in Southampton (our hotel that night was near the port). We booked a taxi in advance to go from the hotel to the port on embarkation day.

We booked through Disney Cruise Line in advance to take a bus from the port back to Heathrow after the cruise. With just 2 of us, that was less expensive than a car service.

 

[Gatorbuff]

Disney Norway cruise leaving from South Hampton July 27 and returning August 3 2026. So we will fly into LHR July 26, travel to SH and stay overnight. We are 4 adults. Haven't decided on our Pre-cruise hotel yet. But looking for suggestions for getting from Heathrow to SH (and back). Then from the hotel to the hotel to the terminal. Also, do you book the SH to terminal in advance or can you get a ride the departure morning?

We used bus from airport to southhampton. Inexpensive very easy to book on line. Was a pleasant drive. Took a taxi to premier inn in southampton for an overnight stay. Popular amount cruise passengers. U can even book an early check in if your flight arrives early. We used uber to port. Very efficient. Hope this helps I believe the bus company is National.

 

[TheBigErn]

We used TwelveTransfers https://www.twelvetransfers.co.uk/ to get to Southampton. I would recommend them as to price and service.

We used a local taxi, booked in advance online, to get from our hotel to the port for embarkation. I would not try to book a taxi day-of.

Do you recall the taxi service?

 

[shb5007]

In the process of researching / planning this for our cruise later in 2025.

Trending towards the National Express (Coach) Bus, and the Premier Inn.

 

[anricat]

Trending towards the National Express (Coach) Bus, and the Premier Inn.

This is what we did. It was super easy. Took the National Express bus (left around 12:30 PM and got to Southampton around 2:30 PM) walked for 15 minutes from the station to the Premier Inn which was a great hotel (I think there are a couple of them in Southampton, we stayed at Premier Inn Southampton Cumberland Place which was a great location). We had no problems taking a taxi to the port on embarkation morning.

I recommend springing for the breakfast package with your room there. It's cheap and plentiful and good quality and one less thing to sort out.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Disney Norway cruise leaving from South Hampton July 27 and returning August 3 2026. So we will fly into LHR July 26, travel to SH and stay overnight. We are 4 adults. Haven't decided on our Pre-cruise hotel yet.

Ive done 2 Disney cruises from Southampton, in 2023 and 2024 and a 3rd one booked for August 2025.

Disney is using Horizon Terminal. There are 3 hotels less than 10 minutes walk from this terminal, IBIS Southampton Central, IBIS Budget and Novatel.

IBIS Southampton Central and Novatel are mid price hotels and IBIS Budget is the budget hotel.

All 3 share the same carpark and are located next to McDonalds and TGI's and across from the main shopping centre West Quay.

Holiday Inn is a budget hotel. Its a bit further walk from Horizon Terminal about 15 minutes walk. The walk is easy as its the same side of the street as the entrance to the cruise port.

Leonardo is a mid price hotel. Its a bit further than the others from Horizon terminal and would be a 20 minute walk, as you have to cross the busy street at the cross walks.

A lot of UK people stay at Premier Inn, which is near Leonardo. Its also a mid price hotel.

The walk to the cruise terminal from all the hotels is on the same road, they are just varying distances from Horizon terminal.

But looking for suggestions for getting from Heathrow to SH (and back).

The two options I recommend are

1. Direct National Express Bus from Heathrow to Southampton Bus Station and then taxi to your hotel
2. Train to London, then train to Southampton, then taxi to your hotel

Then from the hotel to the hotel to the terminal. Also, do you book the SH to terminal in advance or can you get a ride the departure morning?

This will depend on your hotel. . I stay at IBIS Southampton Central, and I have walked to the cruise terminal with my luggage and it was an easy walk.

Cruise embarkation mornings are very busy in Southampton, there can be up to 6 ships embarking and debarking in the morning. Taxis are plentiful but there is only so much they can do. If you are really set on taking a taking at taxi and not walking to the cruise terminal, then I would advise pre booking a taxi. Your hotel reception can do this for you as they are well used to cruise passengers needing transport.

I would also advise to pre book for after your cruise. I have used taxis after my cruise and I don't pre book as I dont have a set schedule. I have waited almost an hour in the standby taxi queue outside the cruise terminal. The people beside me missed their train.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Do you recall the taxi service?

We used Aero Taxis Southampton, booked online before leaving the US.

 

[Retiredcruiser]

Big THANK YOU to all who have shared their experiences in this thread and others. We are looking forward to our British Isles sailing on 9/8 from Southampton.

We are flying in three days early and using Umbrella Transfers to transfer from Heathrow to London for pre-cruise sight seeing.

We are also using Umbrella Transfers to go from London to Southampton the night before and have booked the Holiday Inn where we plan on walking from to the cruise terminal the next day.

Post cruise we have booked an excursion with International Friends which will drop us off at the Heathrow Hotel - Hilton Garden Inn Terminal 2 - which is super convenient before catching our flight back the next morning.

Thanks again for all the insights...looking forward to our trip which is now less than 90 days away!!!

 

[Girl of the South]

That Hilton Garden Inn (NOT the one in Hounslow) is the BEST. So convenient. Nice bar on the roof (giant burgers) and the restaurant downstairs is decent. A tad pricy but worth it for the location.

 

[jujubiee4]

Disney Norway cruise leaving from South Hampton July 27 and returning August 3 2026. So we will fly into LHR July 26, travel to SH and stay overnight. We are 4 adults. Haven't decided on our Pre-cruise hotel yet. But looking for suggestions for getting from Heathrow to SH (and back). Then from the hotel to the hotel to the terminal. Also, do you book the SH to terminal in advance or can you get a ride the departure morning?

We booked the Hilton at the airport. Booked a year in advance got a good rate with breakfast.
Also booked DCL transfers the next morning from airport. Having been to London a few times
already we are skipping the city.

 

[Girl of the South]

I do similar. Booked 2 nights so I can take the Tube into London for one day. DCL transport is very convenient and stress free.