Port Guides
London (Southampton), United Kingdom
Southampton is the crown jewel of British cruising — the port from which the great ocean liners have sailed for over a century. The RMS Titanic departed from Southampton. The Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth sailed from these docks. Today, the Port of Southampton remains one of the busiest and most storied cruise ports in the world, hosting everything from grand world voyages to quick European getaways.
While technically located 80 miles southwest of central London, Southampton is universally referred to by cruisers as the "London" port — and adding a few days in the UK's magnificent capital before or after your sailing is one of the great travel combinations available to international visitors. Whether you spend your pre-cruise time in London, the English countryside, or exploring Southampton itself, the embarkation experience here carries a sense of occasion unlike any other port.
Vital Port Information
It is important to know that there are multiple cruise departure ports near London. While Southampton is the largest – and the focus of this port guide – your voyage could also depart from Portsmouth, Tilbury, Dover or Greenwich. Always check with your Harr Travel advisor and your cruise documents for your departure port, as they are not located nearby.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Port of Southampton
Southampton, SO15 0HH, United Kingdom
There are 5 passenger terminals, check your cruise documents for the correct location
NEAREST AIRPORTS
LHR – London Heathrow – 70 miles, 1.5 to 2.5 hours
LGW – London Gatwick – 85 miles, 1.5-2 hours minutes
SOU – Southampton – 5 miles, 15-20 minutes (limited regional flights)
AVERAGE TEMPS
Cruises from London primarily operate in Spring, Summer and Fall, with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s
PARKING INFO
Private lots around Southampton offer private and secure parking.
Getting to London (Southampton)
Most international cruisers flying into the UK will arrive at London Heathrow (LHR) or London Gatwick (LGW). From Heathrow, the drive to Southampton takes approximately 1.5–2 hours by car or shuttle; from Gatwick, it's slightly shorter at about 1–1.5 hours. Southampton Airport (SOU) handles some domestic and short-haul European flights and sits just 4 miles from the port. Direct train service from London Waterloo to Southampton Central runs frequently and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes — an excellent option if you're spending time in London first.
Southampton's cruise terminals — including the City Cruise Terminal, the QE2 Terminal, and the newly developed Mayflower Terminal — are all within the port complex. A short taxi from Southampton Central station to the terminal takes about 10 minutes. Many international cruisers choose to spend 2–4 nights in London before heading to Southampton — a combination we wholeheartedly recommend.
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Shuttle Services & Car Services
Because of the distance between the primary gateway airports and Southampton, pre-booking transfers is essential. Unless you are flying into or out of Southampton, taxi and rideshares are not viable options from the airport to Southampton or back. The South Western Railway also operates direct (no change) service between Waterloo station in London and Southampton. From the train station, it is a short taxi ride to the terminals.
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Staying Overnight
We always recommend arriving at least the day before your cruise. Doing so ensures you don't risk missing embarkation for your long-awaited vacation, and also gives you time to explore the world in a bit more depth. You have many options for accommodations in London.
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Guest Recommendations
A selection of our guest's favorite hotels:
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Heathrow Airport:
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Sofitel London Heathrow
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Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 & 3
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London (Luxury):
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The Savoy
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The Langham, London
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London 4 Star:
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The Clermont London, Charing Cross
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The Hoxton, Holborn
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Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
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Southampton (near cruise port):
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Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour
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Things to do in London
There are myriad reasons to stay in London or greater Southampton area before or after your trip. From the sights and shows in London to royal history in Windsor and the storied maritime history of Southampton, a cruise extension in London offers you so many additional ways to make a cruise vacation special.
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The Classics - and Why They're Classic
The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey, and Borough Market — London's icons are iconic for excellent reasons, and no amount of visiting them dilutes the experience. If you have 2–3 days in London before your sailing, mix the classic sights with time in a specific neighborhood. Notting Hill, Soho, Marylebone, and Bermondsey all reward slow, exploratory walking in a way that ticking off landmarks on a bus tour never will.
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Southampton's Own History
Southampton itself is well worth exploring. The SeaCity Museum tells the story of the city's maritime history and includes a deeply moving permanent exhibition on the Titanic — crew members of which were predominantly from Southampton. The Medieval Walls, Tudor House, and the Old Town offer a remarkable sense of the city's centuries of history. The Westquay Shopping Centre and Oxford Street provide modern contrast.
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Windsor
If you have a short overnight at or near London Heathrow, consider a side trip to Windsor and Windsor Castle. Located about 20 minutes west of Heathrow, Windsor is crowned by the stunning Windsor Castle, and is a unique destination for a short stopover break.
Danny's Insider Tips
Foodie Experience: High Tea at The Ritz
Afternoon tea at The Ritz is one of the great British rituals, and I highly recommend it as a pre-cruise London experience. The Palm Court is magnificent — one of the most beautiful rooms in England — and the ritual of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, pastries, and perfectly brewed tea served on silver has been refined over more than a century. Dress smartly, book well in advance as it sells out weeks ahead, and allow yourself two full hours to enjoy it properly. It is the kind of experience that sets the tone for an extraordinary trip.
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History & Culture: The British Museum, Westminster Abbey & St Paul’s Cathedral
The British Museum is one of the most extraordinary institutions on Earth — two million years of human history under one roof, and free admission. The Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Egyptian mummies, the Lewis Chessmen — give yourself a full day and you’ll still only scratch the surface. Westminster Abbey is where British history comes alive in stone — the coronation church of every English monarch since 1066, and the resting place of scientists, poets, and kings. St Paul’s Cathedral, Wren’s masterpiece, rises above the City of London with a grandeur that still catches the breath. Climb to the Whispering Gallery and the Golden Gallery for views across the city that are unlike anything else.
Browse all London tours & experiences through our partner Project Expedition: Explore London Tours & Experiences
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Danny’s Pick: Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
The Changing of the Guard is one of those London traditions that sounds touristy until you’re actually standing there watching it. The precision, the pageantry, the music, and the sheer theatre of it — all set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most recognisable buildings — is genuinely impressive. Arrive early for a good position; it draws crowds. Check times in advance as the schedule varies by season. Combine it with a walk through St James’s Park, which is right there and one of the loveliest parks in London.
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Danny’s Pick: A Day Trip to Windsor
Windsor is my favorite day trip from London — and it’s an easy 30-40 minute train from Paddington or Waterloo. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, still a working royal residence, and the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel are extraordinary. The chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England and the burial place of ten monarchs including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II. The town itself is charming, with great restaurants and shops along the cobbled streets. Allow a full day to do it properly. For a history teacher at heart, Windsor never disappoints.
ACCESSIBILITY
If you wish mobility or wheelchair assistance in the terminal, please notify your Harr Travel advisor or the cruise line.
JUMP TO
What to expect when embarking at
London (Southampton)
Arrive with your travel documents ready: passport, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any health or other documentation your cruise line requires. Porters are available to take your checked luggage right at the curb, so you won't need to haul bags all the way to check-in. Give your porters a couple of UK pounds per bag as a tip — it's appreciated and a customary gesture.
 
You will go through port security after dropping off your bags, then check in with the cruise line in the terminal building. From there, you board and start your adventure!
Disembarking at London (Southampton)
Disembarkation in Southampton follows the same general rhythm as most major cruise ports. You'll be assigned a disembarkation number or color, and you'll be called off the ship in waves. Self-assist disembarkation — where you carry all your own bags off — typically gets you off the ship earliest and is a great option if you have an early flight out of one of the region’s airports.
If you have arranged for transportation, confirm with the transportation provider your pickup location and time. On-demand shuttles, taxis and Uber are also available in port, but given the distance to the major airport gateways, we highly recommend pre-booking a transfer.
Cruise lines sailing from London
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NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian typically sails from the Horizon Cruise Terminal (Berth 102), but may use other terminals as needed. They sail seasonal itineraries to a wide range of Northern European destinations, offering a great family-friendly way to experience these unique destinations.
Ready to book your next voyage from
London?
You have many options for the perfect cruise vacation from beautiful Southampton. We can't wait to explore them with you!