Southampton Cruise Port: Terminals, Getting Around and More

Southampton Cruise Port, also known as the Port of Southampton, is one of the busiest and most important cruise ports in the United Kingdom.

Its strategic location along the south coast of England allows it to serve as an important hub for both departing and visiting cruise ships. It serves as a departure point for cruise ships bound for the Mediterranean, fjords of Scandinavia, the Caribbean, and beyond. 

Today, we will take an in-depth look at everything Southampton Cruise Port has to offer, including terminal facilities, nearby amenities, and much more. Not only will this help you plan your upcoming visit, but understanding the port and its facilities will help you enjoy a smooth experience.

Southampton Cruise Port Location and Address

The Southampton Cruise Port is in Hampshire, situated along the south coast of England. As you have probably guessed, the port sits on the edge of the city of Southampton. 

Located just 80 miles southwest of London, the city and the port that bears its name are easy for cruise passengers to get to. Plus, the port’s direct access to the English Channel makes it a perfect departure point for cruises headed to various coastlines along continental Europe and those even further abroad. 

Not only does the location make it perfect for cruise ships, but the fact that the Isle of Wight acts as a natural barrier against rough seas and storms means that it has been an important port as far back as medieval times. This rich maritime history only adds to the port’s charm.

Port Address

Southampton Cruise Port actually consists of five distinct cruise terminals. These terminals all line a natural estuary that leads to the city called Southampton Water.

Although the five terminals are relatively close to each other, a 3.1-mile distance separates the Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal and the Mayflower Cruise Terminal, which are the two furthest from each other.

To make things easy, here are the addresses of the five terminals that make up the Southampton Cruise Port: 

• Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal: Eastern Docks, Southampton, UK, SO14 3GG
• Ocean Cruise Terminal: 10 Cunard Road, Eastern Docks, Southampton, UK, SO14 3QN
• City Cruise Terminal: Herbert Walker Avenue, Western Docks, Southampton, UK, SO15 1HJ
• Horizon Cruise Terminal: 102 W. Bay Road, Western Docks, Southampton, UK, SO15 1AW
• Mayflower Cruise Terminal: Western Docks, Southampton, UK, SO15 1HJ 

Your cruise line will clearly indicate where your ship will dock. As long as you arrive at the correct berthing location, boarding will be straightforward. 

Southampton Cruise Terminals and Berths

Each of the five-passenger terminals features either a single or double deep-water berth, enabling them to handle at least one full-size cruise ship at any given time. There are a total of six berths spread across the five terminals, with the Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal hosting two berths.

Due to the unique double high tide that occurs as a result of the distorted tidal flow of Southampton Water, most of the terminals are not built around piers. Instead, they are designed to allow cruise ships to dock parallel to the shore, allowing gangways to enable passengers, crew, and supplies to access the ships. 

Ocean Cruise Terminal’s Berth 46 is an exception, as it is based around a man-made pier. The only other pier in the port is the Hythe Ferry Terminal, which provides regular ferry service between the town of Hythe and Southampton. 

1. Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal

• Location: Eastern Docks (Berths 38 and 39)
• Features: Close proximity to the center of the city. Three comfortable seating areas, including a VIP waiting area. On-site food and drink services. Has its own on-site parking lot and covered taxi waiting areas.
• Cruise Lines: Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises 

2. Ocean Cruise Terminal

• Location: Eastern Docks (Berth 46)
• Features: A spacious waiting lounge with over 1,000 seats on the first floor, a priority boarding area, two security desks, and on-site luggage porters. The Café Ceanos offers a food and drink menu that includes alcoholic beverages.
• Cruise Lines: Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Saga Cruises 

3. City Cruise Terminal

• Location: Western Docks (Berth 101)
• Features: Designed to accommodate the largest ships, it is easily accessible to the Southampton Central Train Station, which services all major rail lines. It features its own café and pub, as well as a magazine stand that offers a variety of complimentary magazines and newspapers. Luggage porters are available, as are priority check-in desks.
• Cruise Lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line 

4. Horizon Cruise Terminal

• Location: Western Docks (Berth 102)
• Features: The newest terminal, constructed at a cost of £55 million ($95 million USD), features a comfortable main lobby with waiting areas, a restaurant, several shops, and luggage porters. It is located less than one mile from Southampton Central Station, enabling straightforward access to public transit and airports. It is also a completely green terminal, which makes it the first carbon-neutral cruise port in the UK.
• Cruise Lines: MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Oceania Cruises 

5. Mayflower Cruise Terminal

• Location: Western Docks (Berth 106)
• Features: It is roughly a 20-minute walk to Southampton Central Station. It also features a covered taxi pickup and drop-off area. The spacious and comfortable waiting area is also open to the public and features a café. On-site short—and long-term parking is also available through AB Parking Services. This was the departure point for the RMS Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage, so the terminal features murals and interactive displays about the infamous ocean liner.
• Cruise Lines: P&O Cruises and Cunard Line 

All five passenger terminals are also equipped with numerous washroom facilities, including disabled toilets and other wheelchair-friendly amenities. Every cruise terminal also offers unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi. 

Terminal Parking

Four of the five cruise terminals offer on-site parking. The newly constructed Horizon Cruise Terminal is the only terminal without its own parking lot; however, a complimentary shuttle service is provided to the West Quay Road Parking Lot, which is under a mile away from the terminal. 

These paid lots are open to the public and operated by three providers: AB Parking, CPS Cruise Parking, and Southampton Cruise Passenger Services.

Options are available for both short-term and long-term parking, with pre-booking strongly recommended for anyone planning to leave their vehicle overnight. 

Parking rates are affordable, with fees for the first 24 hours running between £9 and £11, depending on whether you opt for indoor or outdoor parking. After the first day, the rate drops down to a flat £5 per day rate. Keep in mind that there is a one-time surcharge of £39 for parking beyond seven days. 

How Busy Is Southampton Cruise Port?

Southampton Cruise Port is the busiest cruise port in the United Kingdom. Handling an average of over 1.9 million passengers per year, it is not only Britain’s main embarkation and disembarkation point, but it is also one of the busiest cruise ports in all of Europe. 

The port’s strategic location is the main reason why it is such an important cruise location. It also explains why the port has been one of the most important maritime junctions in all of British history.

Beyond the relatively simple and safe accessibility of numerous European destinations, the location also offers a wide range of natural advantages that make it the perfect location for docking and boarding large passenger vessels, like its calm waters. 

As a cruise port, it is also outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, including efficient passenger services and close proximity to major public transportation hubs, like Southampton Central Station and Southampton Airport.

The accessibility of the National Express Rail System and the A33 Highway also means it is easy to get to the port from all parts of the United Kingdom, including the nation’s main airports, like Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport. 

Distance and Directions from the Major Airports

As mentioned, one of the many reasons why Southampton is such a popular embarkation point for cruise ships is how accessible it is to some of Europe’s busiest airports.

Not only can you conveniently get to the port from both London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) via the national railway network, but Southampton Airport (SOU) is also nearby.

Southampton Airport

• Distance: Roughly 5 miles away from the port
• Accessibility: This relatively small international airport is just a few short miles north of the city, making it accessible to cruise ship passengers via a short taxi ride or direct commuter train from the airport to Southampton Central Station. 
• Driving Duration and Directions: (Roughly 16 minutes) Take Mitchell Lane to Wide Way for 0.3 miles, then follow Wide Lane, A335 and Ring Rd/A3024 to West Bay Road until you reach the Port of Southampton.

London Heathrow Airport

• Distance: Approximately 66 miles away from the port.
• Accessibility: You can drive from the airport to Southampton via the M3 Motorway. The South Western Railway also connects London Heathrow to Southampton Central Station.
• Driving Duration and Directions: (Roughly 1 hour 30 minutes) Take the M25 for 3.8 miles, then merge onto the M3. After 58 miles, exit onto the A33. Watch for cruise terminal signs and turn right to arrive at your destination. 

London Gatwick Airport

• Distance: Approximately 88 miles away from the port.
• Accessibility: You can drive to the port by taking the M23 Motorway South. A train service connects the airport to Southampton Central Station.
• Driving Duration and Directions: (Roughly 1 hour 36 minutes) Drive southwest on Airport Way Roundabout East toward Ring Road South, then take M25 and M3 to A27 for 83.8 miles. Exit from M3 on exit 14, then at junction 14, exit toward Southampton/A33. The cruise terminal will be on your right in 4.1 miles.

Getting to Southampton Cruise Port from London

Given that many cruise passengers arrive in London, either from other parts of the country or abroad, it is useful to quickly explain how affordable and convenient public transportation can be.

The total distance between the port and central London is roughly 80 miles. To make things easy, here are just a few of your options: 

Train

Direct trains run between London Waterloo Station and Southampton Central. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs between $40 and $70 per person. As with all train tickets in England, rates vary depending on the time of day and date and how far ahead of time you book. 

Bus

Long-haul bus services, or coach services as they are known in the UK, are provided via the National Express Coach Service. Buses depart from Victoria Coach Station and have drop-off points near Southampton Central Station. One-way travel costs approximately $25 to $30, but it only takes about 2 hours, making it a budget-friendly and reasonably quick option. 

Private Vehicle

If you have your own vehicle or plan on renting one, the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Most of the drive will be along the M3 Motorway, making it a relatively straightforward trip.

As mentioned, make sure that you pre-book parking at or near your terminal ahead of time, as spots can book up quickly, especially during peak travel season. 

Transportation Available at the Port

Plenty of transportation options are available directly from the port, whether you need transportation between your terminal and the train station or want convenient access to the city and the attractions in the surrounding area. 

Shuttle Buses

London Cruise Transfers provides low-cost shuttle services between all five passenger terminals and various destinations within Southampton and beyond.

Rates vary from roughly $15 to over $300 per person, depending on where you are traveling to. The company also provides sightseeing trips and simple pickup and drop-off journeys, so you can fully customize your travel. 

Taxis

Taxis are readily available at all five cruise terminals. Rates vary from roughly $10 to $15 for trips to the city center of Southampton. You do not need to pre-book taxis from the port, as each terminal has its own taxi pickup area that operates on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Rideshare Vehicles

Uber operates in Southampton, allowing visitors the flexibility of booking on-demand transportation to and from the port. Rates are similar to cabs, but you have the advantage of avoiding the taxi lines. 

Trains

As mentioned, Southampton Central Station is relatively close to all five cruise terminals. This means visitors can take a short taxi to the station and then explore just about any major population center in the United Kingdom, including popular tourist cities like London, Liverpool, and Newcastle. 

Best Time to Visit Southampton, UK

The summer months between June and August offer the best weather, making this the most popular time to visit the city. With average temperatures ranging between 65° and 75°F and minimal rainfall by British standards, it is the clear peak of the tourist season along England’s south coast.

If you are visiting another time, here is a basic rundown of the other three seasons:

• Fall: Average temperatures drop between 50° and 65°F. Rainfall increases, but the weather is still pleasant.
• Winter: Temperatures can drop to 40°F but tend to stay closer to 50°F. Rainfall can be quite heavy, with occasional frost in the mornings.
• Spring: Temperatures increase to the 50° to 60°F range, but rain showers are common. 

It is also worth noting that there is also a spike in tourist activity around Christmas and New Year. 

What to Do Near the Port

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy some incredible attractions when you visit Southampton Cruise Port. The following are just a few of the many options available to visiting cruise passengers: 

Tudor House and Garden

This historic building was opened as a museum in 1912, but the former Tudor residence dates back to 1491. This popular tourist attraction is also just one mile away from the port, making it possible to walk to or take a short cab ride.

Learn about the building’s storied past and take in the serene atmosphere of the perfectly manicured gardens. You will even learn how the house was built on the remains of a 12th-century Norman home, so it even predates the Tudors. 

Southampton City Art Gallery

Also located just over a mile from the port, this unique gallery features a diverse collection of fine art dating from the Renaissance to the present day. With stunning and priceless pieces from throughout Europe, it is a must-see. It also makes a perfect activity for a rainy day. 

Explore Old Town

Wander through over 800 years of history by visiting Southampton’s Old Town. For visiting cruise passengers, the Old Town area stretches from Ocean Village to Palmerston Park, making walking from any terminal easy.

Not only are the area’s cobblestone streets, medieval city walls and gatehouses, and numerous examples of historical architecture enough to make you feel like you have traveled back in time, but the area is also home to a variety of modern restaurants and attractions. 

You will also find the city’s main market here and the Solent Sky Museum, a must-see for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. 

SeaCity Museum

This hands-on, interactive museum is dedicated to the city of Southampton’s long-standing maritime history. Learn all about Southampton’s involvement in the tragic Titanic story and other famous vessels that passed through the port at some point in its history.

The museum was constructed in 2012 to mark 100 years since the Titanic set sail from Southampton, so even the building itself is impressive. Given that it’s only a 2.6-mile journey from the furthest cruise terminal, it is easy to fit it into your visit. 

Dining Near Southampton Cruise Port

In addition to a few cafés and pubs within the terminal buildings themselves, there are plenty of great dining options within walking distance of the port. 

For a true taste of the city, try The Jetty, which specializes in traditional British dishes and fresh seafood. Situated in Ocean Village, it is roughly one mile away from most of the terminals, and it offers waterfront dining with an emphasis on local ingredients. 

The PIG in the Wall is another option if you want to try traditional British comfort food, like bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and more. This unique gastro pub is built directly into the city’s medieval-era walls, giving it an old-world feel.

Given that it is less than a mile away from most of the terminals, it’s a great spot for a delicious meal and a few pints of traditional English ale. 

If you find yourself walking around Old Town, the Platform Tavern is another great option. It’s located right along the dockyards, making it easy to walk to from the cruise port.

Enjoy classic pub lunches, all-day full English breakfasts all day, and a huge selection of traditional ales and lagers. Plus, it often has live music, especially in the evening. It’s only an 8-minute walk from Ocean Cruise Terminal and only a little more than that from the others. 

Shopping Southampton Cruise Port

Shopping within the terminal buildings is very limited, with most having little more than a newspaper stand, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other options nearby. 

Westquay Shopping Centre is just 0.3 miles away from the port. This indoor mall offers a wide range of stores. With everything from designer retailers to more casual department stores, it’s a one-stop destination for your pre-cruise shopping needs.

The Marlands Shopping Centre is a little further, but it is still less than a mile from most of the terminals. It tends to be a little bit less busy, but it still offers a variety of designer retailers and some more unique independent shops.

Read Also: IDEAL Hotels in Southampton Before or After Your Cruise

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir that you can only get in Southampton, we recommend walking around the Old Town. There are plenty of independent vendors, art galleries, and souvenir stores. The Southampton Market is also held in this area, and it is the perfect place to find vintage items, antiques, and handmade goods. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where do the cruise ships leave from in Southampton?

Cruise ships depart from Southampton Cruise Port, which consists of five passenger terminals along the southwestern side of the city. 

How far is it from London to Southampton cruise port?

Southampton Cruise Port is roughly 80 miles southwest of London. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive between the two locations. 

Which train station is best for the Southampton cruise terminal?

Southampton Central Railway Station is the best option, between 1.1 miles and 2.6 miles from each of Southampton Cruise Port’s five passenger terminals.