Travel By train to Southampton

[clydecruiser]

For those travelling to the Eclipse this year this may be of help.

 

If travelling by train from London to Southampton be sure to look at www.megatrain.com where approximately 45 to 50 days before travel you should be able to book a single journey for £1 per person plus booking fee.

 

Current times are:

05:30 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 07:03

06:30 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 07:57

07:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 09:17

08:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 10:17

09:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 11:17

10:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 12:17

11:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 13:17

12:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 14:17

13:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 15:17

14:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 16:17

20:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 22:18

21:39 Depart London Waterloo Arrive Southampton Central 23:18

 

09:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 11:34

10:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 12:34

11:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 13:34

12:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 14:34

13:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 15:34

14:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 16:34

15:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 17:36

16:52 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 18:34

17:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 19:38

18:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 20:34

19:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 21:34

20:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 22:43

21:55 Depart Southampton Central Arrive London Waterloo 23:43

[Seaside Bob]

Thank you for that very interesting megatrain/bus information. Indeed, e.g. almost all train prices Southampton to London are less than 10 pounds. Problem though is that you can bet that tickets (bookable up to 45 days in advance) for the most popular times or days are essentially not made available by SW Train Co to Megatrain. Terrific "fill up otherwise unsold seats" deal for the "flexible and easy-going" traveller. For my Eclipse

sailing on July 10th, I intend to use a Senior Railcard which gives about 34% discount off standard fares.

These cards can be bought in England but to use them from Heathrow Airport they have to be bought online

but are sent only to any address in the UK....to then be forwarded to you? Use promo Senior10

for a 10% discount. Card is good for 1 year. There are other Railcards too.

[sddsddean]

Thank you for that very interesting megatrain/bus information. Indeed, e.g. almost all train prices Southampton to London are less than 10 pounds. Problem though is that you can bet that tickets (bookable up to 45 days in advance) for the most popular times or days are essentially not made available by SW Train Co to Megatrain. Terrific "fill up otherwise unsold seats" deal for the "flexible and easy-going" traveller. For my Eclipse

sailing on July 10th, I intend to use a Senior Railcard which gives about 34% discount off standard fares.

These cards can be bought in England but to use them from Heathrow Airport they have to be bought online

but are sent only to any address in the UK....to then be forwarded to you? Use promo Senior10

for a 10% discount. Card is good for 1 year. There are other Railcards too.

 

I'm not really understanding what you are saying Bob. Megatrain fares become available about 4 weeks before travel. On our recent TA, I put loads of the US passengers on to this and they all got the £1 fare no problem at all for the departures between 0930 and 1130. Its the cheapest way London - Soton.

 

Simon

[RickT]

If you are travelling from Heathrow or Gatwick, National Express Bus is probably more convenient. As mentioned earlier, I tried to book the cheap fare from Southampton to London last summer and wasn't able to book using their low fare.

[jspirit]

Are the trains in Britain pretty dependable? In Rome they tend to often go on strike, sometimes with very short notice. Just don't want to get caught with no transport to Southampton on the morning of our cruise departure!

[vvnh16a]

Is the 1 pound rail charge a special fare and only good for certain trains and dates?? If so what would the normal fare be between London and Southhampton?

 

If you are staying in Southhampton sounds like you could make a day trip in and out of London for a reasonable rate...Correct!

 

Are strikes an issue to deal with the rail system in London!

[sddsddean]

Are the trains in Britain pretty dependable? In Rome they tend to often go on strike, sometimes with very short notice. Just don't want to get caught with no transport to Southampton on the morning of our cruise departure!

 

Is the 1 pound rail charge a special fare and only good for certain trains and dates?? If so what would the normal fare be between London and Southhampton?

 

If you are staying in Southhampton sounds like you could make a day trip in and out of London for a reasonable rate...Correct!

 

Are strikes an issue to deal with the rail system in London!

 

Generally speaking, they are far more reliable than US railways. Having said that, the RMT union have just announced they may be striking soon (no dates). This would be the first strike in 16 years.

The megatrain fares apply to the one service (eg the 0932 train) that they are bought for, so you have got to do your planning. Theoretically, there is no problem doing a Soton - London - Soton trip. The usual single fare is around £30.

 

Simon