Advice - transportation Southampton to London after cruise

[phabric]

1 hour ago, Dohmacc said:

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you! Good to know regular taxis are readily available at the cruise terminals. And thank you for the info for International Friends. They do service our ship (Disney), but looking at their packages, I notice that two of their tours have the same cost:

 

A) Southampton to London via Stonehenge (112.5 Best Rate Adult)

B) Salisbury, Stonehenge, Windsor to London (112.5 Best Rate Adult)

 

From what I can tell, the B tour does NOT include admission price to Stonehenge, but the A does... So I guess that explains why A and B cost the same, despite B going to 2 more sites?

 

It seems like A stops longer in Stonehenge also (2 hours vs. 90 minutes)... 

 

Just from a value perspective, I'd lean toward B... but do you think the longer Stonehenge time is worth it and/or the additional stops in Salisbury and Windsor would be to short/rushed, not to be worth it?

 

 

 

I purchased tickets for Stonehenge and Windsor through them.

 

I took International Friends from Southampton to my London hotel.

 

- Pickup was at our Princess dock, around 8-8:30am, not sure of the actual time.

 

- Salibury - we were let out outside the gates and were given a time to return to the bus.   I had enough time to see what I wanted to see.  Guide said, you can pick up something to eat as we were not stopping anywhere for lunch.

 

- Stonehenge - we were given our ticket and told a time to return to the bus.  Bathrooms were near bus parking lot.  Took the shuttle bus to the stones. At the shuttle bus drop off, there is a Visitor Center,gift store, bathrooms, small food cafe with seats.  I bought a sausage roll and a drink there.

 

- Windsor - we parked at the train station.  There is an elevator to the upper floor.  The guide walked us pasted a few stores, across the street to the group entrance and was given our ticket and time to return to the bus.  You go through security screening like at an airport screening - belt off, conveyer belt for other items.  Near entrance, can pick up free audio set.

 

When we return to the bus, guide said they had moved the passengers for the London hotels drop off, my luggage had been moved over to a small van as the large coaches are not allowed in London.

 

They dropped us off at the door of my London hotel (Premier Inn Waterloo).  We arrived around 5-5:30pm, I can’t remember the actual time.

 

I think this is great way to see another part of Britain and then being dropped off at the door of my London hotel.

 

I have taken them after cruise out of Dover to my London hotel.

 

www.internationalfriends.co.uk

 

Edited June 24 by phabric

[WyzCruiser]

Hey y'all.

We are arriving in Southampton (next year) and wanting to take a day tour to Stonehenge and then to Highclere Castle.  We can return to Southampton or go on to London.  I'm not seeing anywhere that this is offered.  The only other cost-effective option I see is to rent a car starting in and returning to Southampton the same day.  We are nervous about driving on the opposite side than what we are used to and maneuvering a manual transmission.  I am hoping to find someone that will drive us, but that may not be too pricey.  Any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated!

[Dohmacc]

On 6/24/2024 at 9:17 AM, phabric said:

I purchased tickets for Stonehenge and Windsor through them.

 

I took International Friends from Southampton to my London hotel.

 

- Pickup was at our Princess dock, around 8-8:30am, not sure of the actual time.

 

- Salibury - we were let out outside the gates and were given a time to return to the bus.   I had enough time to see what I wanted to see.  Guide said, you can pick up something to eat as we were not stopping anywhere for lunch.

 

- Stonehenge - we were given our ticket and told a time to return to the bus.  Bathrooms were near bus parking lot.  Took the shuttle bus to the stones. At the shuttle bus drop off, there is a Visitor Center,gift store, bathrooms, small food cafe with seats.  I bought a sausage roll and a drink there.

 

- Windsor - we parked at the train station.  There is an elevator to the upper floor.  The guide walked us pasted a few stores, across the street to the group entrance and was given our ticket and time to return to the bus.  You go through security screening like at an airport screening - belt off, conveyer belt for other items.  Near entrance, can pick up free audio set.

 

When we return to the bus, guide said they had moved the passengers for the London hotels drop off, my luggage had been moved over to a small van as the large coaches are not allowed in London.

 

They dropped us off at the door of my London hotel (Premier Inn Waterloo).  We arrived around 5-5:30pm, I can’t remember the actual time.

 

I think this is great way to see another part of Britain and then being dropped off at the door of my London hotel.

 

I have taken them after cruise out of Dover to my London hotel.

 

www.internationalfriends.co.uk

 

 

Thank you for the detailed report of your experience with International Friends! It sounds like for the 3 sites, once you arrive, you're on your own (ie audio walking tour, not live guided tour), and just told to meet back at the bus at a designated time?

 

[Dohmacc]

On 6/24/2024 at 8:54 AM, John Bull said:

 

 

 

 

But don't buy Windsor Castle tickets. 

You can choose to buy at the gate or instead DIY wandering around this interesting town.

And if there's a delay in arriving at Windsor the time lost is knocked off the free time in Windsor - which may mean that paying to go into the castle might be a lot less worth-while.

 

 

JB 🙂

 

Great advice about the Windsor tickets! It seems like these are readily accessible to purchase walk-up at the Castle (ie no timed entries or limited tickets per day)?

 

[phabric]

40 minutes ago, Dohmacc said:

 

Thank you for the detailed report of your experience with International Friends! It sounds like for the 3 sites, once you arrive, you're on your own (ie audio walking tour, not live guided tour), and just told to meet back at the bus at a designated time?

 

Yes, we were on our own at each site to see at our own pace and were given a time to return to the bus.  The guide talked all the time about what we were to see on the bus between each of the different stops.  The only time he didn’t talk was from Windsor when the London hotel people were switch to the small van and there was not much to see/talk about going on the highway.  Once we were in the London area, he did point out some places of interest.

 

I took International Friends after a cruise from Dover, that guide mentioned that they were not allowed to be a guide inside the different attractions but he talked about what we were going to see.  I took a Princess, Rome post cruise excursion and the guide was not allowed in the attraction, she talked about the attraction before we entered on our own and met up with her at a certain time.

 

On your other thread, about not purchasing Windsor tickets through them. When I was at Windsor (one time with International Friends and Princess post cruise tour), there was a line to purchase non group tour tickets.  We went through the group entrance and only waited a few minutes mainly waiting to go through the security screening.  The guide adjusted our return time once our people started to go through.  I was able to see what I wanted to see, have an ice cream cone and get back to the bus on time.

 

 

Edited June 25 by phabric

[John Bull]

4 hours ago, Dohmacc said:

 

Great advice about the Windsor tickets! It seems like these are readily accessible to purchase walk-up at the Castle (ie no timed entries or limited tickets per day)?

 

 

We had no problems buying on the day, but that was a long time ago. 

But word is that on busy days the line for tickets can be long & slow, so you just might want to buy in advance.

Price is £30 whether you buy on the day, or in advance on the official Royal Collection website, or with your tour tickets.

Timing isn't significant unless you want to pay extra (£20?) to climb the tower - and you're unlikely to have time to do that.

 

JB 🙂

[Dohmacc]

On 6/25/2024 at 1:47 PM, phabric said:

Yes, we were on our own at each site to see at our own pace and were given a time to return to the bus.  The guide talked all the time about what we were to see on the bus between each of the different stops.  The only time he didn’t talk was from Windsor when the London hotel people were switch to the small van and there was not much to see/talk about going on the highway.  Once we were in the London area, he did point out some places of interest.

 

I took International Friends after a cruise from Dover, that guide mentioned that they were not allowed to be a guide inside the different attractions but he talked about what we were going to see.  I took a Princess, Rome post cruise excursion and the guide was not allowed in the attraction, she talked about the attraction before we entered on our own and met up with her at a certain time.

 

On your other thread, about not purchasing Windsor tickets through them. When I was at Windsor (one time with International Friends and Princess post cruise tour), there was a line to purchase non group tour tickets.  We went through the group entrance and only waited a few minutes mainly waiting to go through the security screening.  The guide adjusted our return time once our people started to go through.  I was able to see what I wanted to see, have an ice cream cone and get back to the bus on time.

 

 

 

Thanks!

[Dohmacc]

21 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

We had no problems buying on the day, but that was a long time ago. 

But word is that on busy days the line for tickets can be long & slow, so you just might want to buy in advance.

Price is £30 whether you buy on the day, or in advance on the official Royal Collection website, or with your tour tickets.

Timing isn't significant unless you want to pay extra (£20?) to climb the tower - and you're unlikely to have time to do that.

 

JB 🙂

 

Thanks!

[Dohmacc]

On 6/24/2024 at 12:41 AM, sddsddean said:

As long as its not chucking it down with rain, you can definately walk to the station in 15mins.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/50.9023768,-1.4177698/50.9078733,-1.4152397/@50.9065335,-1.4164141,1395m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu

Just be careful walking out of the port...not dangerous, but lots of cars and trucks about delivering to the ships. All road crossings are traffic light controlled. You want to head for the north side of the station...thats the side the London trains go from. Uber would probably be £10-£15, but you may want a large one, so might have to wait...by which time you could have walked it!

 

As this is a Wednesday, I would wait until at least 0930 for the train. Fewer commuters and cheaper fares kick in at 0930.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've decided to book the 10am train from Southampton to Waterloo, but when I go to the Southwestern Railway website to buy tickets, it asks me to make an account but requires a UK address to make the account. I selected the e-ticket delivery method.

 

I found that I'm able to check out as a Guest on the LNER website for what seems to be the seem train? Are these lines Southwestern Rail and LNER the same operator so buying the LNER tickets should be fine?

 

Thank you for the help and sorry if this question is obvious..

 

 

 

 

[sddsddean]

Try www.nationalrail.co.uk

I think you can get tickets on there as a guest.

 

Simon

[Globaliser]

3 hours ago, Dohmacc said:

I found that I'm able to check out as a Guest on the LNER website for what seems to be the seem train? Are these lines Southwestern Rail and LNER the same operator so buying the LNER tickets should be fine?

 

LNER is a completely different train operating company. However, if it's selling tickets at the same price and description as the SWR website, then you will get the same SWR tickets as if you'd bought them from SWR. LNER is just basically selling them as an agent for SWR. The ticket format and ticket data are standardised across all of the National Rail TOCs, so there's no issue with interoperability of the ticket.

 

All of the main TOCs will sell tickets for all of the other main TOCs. I think that there are a handful of edge-case exceptions where a TOC will only sell its cheapest tickets (or special tickets) itself, and you can't get them via another TOC. But if a TOC is selling a ticket for another TOC's train that's the same price and description as the operating TOC, it'll be the same ticket.

 

FWIW, I am currently buying almost all of my pre-purchased tickets through LNER, whichever TOC is operating the train.

 

2 hours ago, sddsddean said:

Try www.nationalrail.co.uk

I think you can get tickets on there as a guest.

 

No, www.nationalrail.co.uk is only a marketing site and doesn't sell tickets. If you want to buy a ticket, it will send you to a TOC website to do so, usually the website of the operating TOC. If it sends you to SWR, and you're outside the UK, you end up with exactly the same problem as if you'd gone directly to SWR.

 

One of the ironies about SWR not accepting non-UK addresses is that it's one of the TOCs that's part-owned by a non-UK company ...

[Dohmacc]

8 hours ago, Globaliser said:

 

LNER is a completely different train operating company. However, if it's selling tickets at the same price and description as the SWR website, then you will get the same SWR tickets as if you'd bought them from SWR. LNER is just basically selling them as an agent for SWR. The ticket format and ticket data are standardised across all of the National Rail TOCs, so there's no issue with interoperability of the ticket.

 

All of the main TOCs will sell tickets for all of the other main TOCs. I think that there are a handful of edge-case exceptions where a TOC will only sell its cheapest tickets (or special tickets) itself, and you can't get them via another TOC. But if a TOC is selling a ticket for another TOC's train that's the same price and description as the operating TOC, it'll be the same ticket.

 

FWIW, I am currently buying almost all of my pre-purchased tickets through LNER, whichever TOC is operating the train.

 

 

 

Thank you for the clarification! Yes, it appears to be the same ticket. The LNER schedule indicates it's from SouthWestern Railway (attached image) so I'll purchase them there.

 

FYI in case anyone in the future comes across this thread, the SWR website allows me to input my US address and even select United States, but then when trying to confirm the account creation, it says that I need a UK address.

[Dohmacc]

On 6/24/2024 at 12:41 AM, sddsddean said:

 

 

As this is a Wednesday, I would wait until at least 0930 for the train. Fewer commuters and cheaper fares kick in at 0930.

 

 

 

 

If we do not do the express debarkation (ie walk off with luggage), the posted debarkation time is 8am with expectations all passengers are off by 9am. 

 

Considering luggage pickup, customs, the cab ride to the train station, navigating the station /platforms with two slow walking kids.. do you think the 10am train departure is pretty makeable, doable but kind of hectic rushed, or cutting it too close?

 

Alternatively, it sounds like the 930 has fewer commuters, but is the 0900 train still pretty crowded with commuters? I just want to make sure I have space for the two large luggage!

 

Thanks!

 

[sddsddean]

As long as you are off the ship by 9am, you will have plenty of time. Usually no immigration, no customs, just walk through the baggage hall and pick up your stuff and that’s it. Even if you take 20 minutes to walk to the station, you will still have plenty of time.

 

Simon

[Dohmacc]

53 minutes ago, sddsddean said:

As long as you are off the ship by 9am, you will have plenty of time. Usually no immigration, no customs, just walk through the baggage hall and pick up your stuff and that’s it. Even if you take 20 minutes to walk to the station, you will still have plenty of time.

 

Simon

 

Good to know about the immigration/customs!

 

If we were to miss our train, are we able to apply the cost of our advanced purchase tickets to walk-up tickets? 

 

[sddsddean]

Technically, yes you can change your tickets for £10 each I think, but it is much better if you can get the train you are supposed to...a lot less hassle! Globaliser did a bit about changing your tickets on another thread, but I can't find it, so if you wouldn't mind G, could you post it here again please?

 

Simon

[gumshoe958]

2 hours ago, Dohmacc said:

 

Good to know about the immigration/customs!

 

If we were to miss our train, are we able to apply the cost of our advanced purchase tickets to walk-up tickets? 

 

You can only change an advance ticket (subject to a £10 fee plus the fare difference) before your originally booked train is due to depart. After that the ticket becomes worthless and you’ll have to buy a new one at the prevailing rate.

[Dohmacc]

2 hours ago, gumshoe958 said:

You can only change an advance ticket (subject to a £10 fee plus the fare difference) before your originally booked train is due to depart. After that the ticket becomes worthless and you’ll have to buy a new one at the prevailing rate.

 

Yikes! Good to know! I'm leaning toward booking a later train than I think necessary just to be safe (in event of random delays due to debarkation or my kids).

[Globaliser]

12 hours ago, sddsddean said:

Globaliser did a bit about changing your tickets on another thread, but I can't find it, so if you wouldn't mind G, could you post it here again please?

 

Sorry, it wasn't me, and I don't want to get into that argument again. The summary is that it is possible, but there are some hurdles. gumshoe958 has identified the main points.

[Dohmacc]

On 6/25/2024 at 6:08 PM, John Bull said:

 

We had no problems buying on the day, but that was a long time ago. 

But word is that on busy days the line for tickets can be long & slow, so you just might want to buy in advance.

Price is £30 whether you buy on the day, or in advance on the official Royal Collection website, or with your tour tickets.

Timing isn't significant unless you want to pay extra (£20?) to climb the tower - and you're unlikely to have time to do that.

 

JB 🙂

 

Since our arrival in Southampton is on Wednesday, International Friends isn't running a tour to Windsor as it's not open Wednesday.

 

Instead, planning on just going on our own for a daytrip. Do you think the Southwestern Railway from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Central is the most cost-efficient way to get there from London? 

Thanks!

[Dohmacc]

37 minutes ago, Dohmacc said:

 

Since our arrival in Southampton is on Wednesday, International Friends isn't running a tour to Windsor as it's not open Wednesday.

 

Instead, planning on just going on our own for a daytrip. Do you think the Southwestern Railway from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Central is the most cost-efficient way to get there from London? 

Thanks!

 

Sorry, it seems there's no direct Waterloo to Windsor/Eton Central...

 

However, I'm a little confused about the ticket pricing.

 

For example, here's what I see when I price out a journey on the planned day for 2 Adults, 2 Children:

 

It shows the "Off-Peak Day" pricing for every train time.. does this mean the entire Saturday is "Off-Peak" pricing, but for 25.50 I can only ride on that specific train at that specific time and for 37.20, I can ride any train on that day?

 

I'm confused because all of the times are listed under "Flexible tickets", but 

there's the 'Off-Peak Day" and "Anytime Day"...

 

Also, if I purchase the "Off-Peak Day Return" for 51.00 in the Outward Journey section, is this an open ticket for return anytime?

 

Sorry if these questions make me seem oblivious (I am!) and I really appreciate everyone's guidance and clarification!

 

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Dohmacc

[gumshoe958]

5 hours ago, Dohmacc said:

 

Sorry, it seems there's no direct Waterloo to Windsor/Eton Central...

 

However, I'm a little confused about the ticket pricing.

 

For example, here's what I see when I price out a journey on the planned day for 2 Adults, 2 Children:

 

It shows the "Off-Peak Day" pricing for every train time.. does this mean the entire Saturday is "Off-Peak" pricing, but for 25.50 I can only ride on that specific train at that specific time and for 37.20, I can ride any train on that day?

 

I'm confused because all of the times are listed under "Flexible tickets", but 

there's the 'Off-Peak Day" and "Anytime Day"...

 

Also, if I purchase the "Off-Peak Day Return" for 51.00 in the Outward Journey section, is this an open ticket for return anytime?

 

Sorry if these questions make me seem oblivious (I am!) and I really appreciate everyone's guidance and clarification!

 

 

There are two stations at Windsor. The one Southwestern uses to & from Waterloo is called Windsor & Eton Riverside which is where you’ll end up on the direct trains shown in your search.
 

It’s slightly further from the castle than Central station (and uphill), but only about a 5-10 minute walk.

 

On a Saturday you can use off-peak single and return tickets on any train, so you don’t have to travel on a specific service and there’s no reason at all to buy an Anytime ticket (they’re basically for peak weekday trains).

 

The other route to Windsor & Eton Central doesn’t go from Waterloo. If you’re staying near an Elizabeth Line station (eg Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road) it might be faster and more convenient, although you do have to change trains en route at Slough. 
 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by gumshoe958

[Island2Dweller]

6 hours ago, Dohmacc said:

Do you think the Southwestern Railway from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Central is the most cost-efficient way to get there from London? 

The train from Waterloo goes to Riverside, not W&E Central.  Whether is the best option depends where you will be staying in Central London,  If it's somewhere near Waterloo / South Bank then this is a good option.  If elsewhere, using the Elizabeth Line to Slough then switching to the shuttle train into W&E Central is better.

If you use the line to Riverside, you need a traditional paper/card ticket.  Buy on the day, either from ticket office or machine.  If you use the Elizabeth line option, don't buy a physical ticket, just use contactless bank card (or phone or smartwatch).

[Thejuggler]

Saturday is usually off peak all day. Click the 'i' above the fare class for more detailed information.

 

Flexible means you aren't tied to a particular train, that restriction is with Advance tickets.