stepkar Posted May 3, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 3, 2014 We are staying a couple of days in Southampton after our cruise. What is the best way to travel to Heathrow. We have a later flight and would like to possibly see Stonehenge on the way or other sights. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John Bull Posted May 3, 2014 #2 Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) Cheapest transfer would be National Express coach from Southampton coach station to Heathrow, at about £17 per person. Journey time about 2 hours. Advance booking strongly recommended. http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx Or by train, it's more expensive at about £39 per person, and slightly inconvenient because your journey finishes on a shuttle bus. Total journey time also about 2 hours. http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search Both the above of course are simply transport to the airport. A direct private transfer costs about £75 to £90 for a sedan - you have a choice of a number of sights to visit at extra cost on the way or just a little off-route. These include Winchester, Salisbury and/or Stonehenge, Highclere (TV's Downton Abbey) & Windsor. Windsor is only about 6 miles from Heathrow, an ideal choice to tie in with a flight late in the day. Frequently used by CC members are http://www.smithsforairports.com or http://www.westquaycars.com Or West Quay Cars' touring arm, http://www.discoverthesouth.co.uk/ which uses their most knowledgeable drivers. Or you can book on a cruise-tour-transfer coach (not ship's coach) from Southampton to Heathrow (any terminal) via Salisbury & Stonehenge & Windsor. Very good value at just £65, though they pack in a lot so it is a bit rushed. Your luggage stays on the coach all the way to the airport. http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_cruise_shuttles.htm NB this picks up at the cruise terminal when a large ship is due in. Since you'll not be sailing in that day, you'll need to check on the link below what ship/s arrive that morning & take a taxi from your hotel to the appropriate cruise terminal for the appropriate hour (usually about 8am). I don't see any problem in you using a service intended for another ship, there's no problem accessing the coach rank at the terminals. http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/ You'll also need to check whether the arrival time at Heathrow is appropriate for your flight (ideally 2 hours ahead of flight time) Salisbury & Stonehenge are also very easy to visit from a Southampton base - half-hourly train to Salisbury takes 30 minutes, costs about £9 for a "cheap day-return", Ho-ho from station to Stonehenge then after visiting Stonehenge (& mebbe Old Sarum if the weather's OK) explore historic Salisbury city centre & cathedral before taking the train back to Southampton. http://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/stonehenge-tour.shtml Or Winchester is closer & no need for a ho-ho, though the rail station is a 15-20 minute walk from the historic centre & cathedral. Other options for a full day from a Southampton base include Bath or Portsmouth or Weymouth, all direct by train. Locations of Southampton city centre hotels, cruise terminals, & coach and rail stations on this map http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_map.htm JB :) Edited May 3, 2014 by John Bull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepkar Posted May 3, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Thank you for all your suggestions. You have been very helpful. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palermo22 Posted May 3, 2014 #4 Share Posted May 3, 2014 John - we're going the opposite way (from Heathrow to Southampton. We'll most likely reserve a car and driver. Is there one company that is more reliable than others? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John Bull Posted May 3, 2014 #5 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Both Smiths & West Quay are rated very reliable JB :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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