SH to OXFORD, not London, pls help

[RestintheCat]

Hi All,

I've read all 35 pages of the forum on Britain and the QM2. What I can't find is how to get from the Southampton Port to Oxford. Thank you so much, Restin

[Nickwolf]

Assuming you do not want to drive then the train is the way to go. There is a direct service which takes about 1 1/4 hours.

 

You will find details at http://www.qjump.co.uk ("insert Hyperlink" not working)

 

Nick.

[scottie99]

Try http://www.trainline.co.uk for train services

[Nickwolf]

Just so there is no confusion, the links posted by myself and Scottie99 lead to the same search engine.

 

Nick.

[Globaliser]

And, for completeness, it looks like there are also about half a dozen direct coach services a day: See the National Express website for details.

[RestintheCat]

After way too much time on websites not knowing the station names, the site you gave me has the central station of each town in caps. God love them and you for directing me there. That said, all tickets are gone except the 3 day advance $46 (sterling, no symbol on keyboard) versus the $15, 14-day advance. Are the trains like the airlines -- if I keep checking back at all hours of the day, some of the $15 variety will become available? If no, then I'll grab what they have. Thanks you all.

[RestintheCat]

It's a total of 46 for both us, not each. That's perfectly fine. Here's the bummer: we can't get them in advance because we're in the US. Can't order them now and use a fast-ticket machine because the Southampton Station doesn't have fast-ticket machines. The big concern is that with thousands of folks coming off of the boat at once, the trains will fill. (We have to get to Oxford to pick up our cycles and meet our guide). I wrote an enquiry to the website and asked for any ideas. I love the net. I hate the net. I love the net. I hate the net. :) I'm addicted to the net. The net is usually my friend; it's just overseas websites that tease me, let me get all the way to the end before noting that delivery may not be to the U.S. Rant over. :)

[Globaliser]

Are you doing a round-trip cruise from Southampton? If so, why not buy the tickets at the station on embarkation day?

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the trains filling up, even if you can't buy tickets in advance. When I arrived back from my last cruise, both the Sea Princess and the Legend of the Seas were in that day. There didn't seem to enough people at the station to cause one to fear for not getting a seat.

[ppythag]

if you're interested in car/limo service, I would recommend Woodford Chauffeur Cars ('review'/recommendation elsewhere on this board)

(http://www.woodfordchauffeurcars.co.uk)

[RestintheCat]

Each of you have helped and I thank you.

 

I am finally relaxed about this: we can get a taxi (I assume) from the Port to the SH Central Train station (about 1.5 miles, I hear) for about 5 GPB and buy a ticket on Virgin for 46 GPB at 9:15 am or 10:15 a.m. You guys have calmed me down in several ways: Globaiser, you are terriffic for giving me everything: because of your completeness I checked on the bus and it is a 3:15 minute ride. I put that aside. And, now you've relieved the fear about trains being full. I had the hardest time with so many train lines on most websites and the website you posted works for a US person with quite limited knowlege.

 

Not that anyone is interested, but our complete plans are these:

QM2 from NY to Southampton

Southampton to Oxford to begin Cotswold six day bicycling trip

Oxford to Heathrow to fly to Naples for five days (don't ask why, I didn't get to plan this part :))

Naples to Athens to begin a Windstar cruise of the Greek Isles that ends in Istanbul

Three days in Istanbul and then flying, back to VA!

We'll be gone a month and both of us normally get antsy after about 7 days; it should be a TRIP!

 

Thanks again everyone and I'm happy to contibute when we return -- Abby

[lord of the seas]

if you're interested in car/limo service, I would recommend Woodford Chauffeur Cars ('review'/recommendation elsewhere on this board)

(http://www.woodfordchauffeurcars.co.uk)

Hi ppythag, I have found a limo service which is as good as Woodford and is situated in London,they are great for tours/Dinner/Theatre and excellent for specialist shops

 

Email: chauffeurdriven@ntlworld.com

 

Regards

John