Are you heading for your cruise from Southampton? Wondering how to get from London to Southampton? The port city of Southampton is easy to reach when you’re coming from London.
You can reach Southampton from London by coach, train, rental car and private transfer. The road distance between London and Southampton is 122.6 kilometres or 76.2 miles while the direct distance is 112 kilometres or 69 miles. It takes about one hour and 35 minutes to travel this distance by car.
This UK destination is ideal for a perfect weekend getaway or a quick rest from the bustling city. Southampton is also a popular cruise port in the UK, with cruises heading to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia or around the British Isles.
I am always on the hunt for the best ways to get from one UK city to another, so let me share with you the easy ways how to get from London to Southampton. Plan ahead of time so that you don’t miss out on great transport deals.
How to get from London to Southampton
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Southampton by Coach
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 55 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £5.00
National Express offers daily trips from London to Southampton. The coach departs from London Victoria Coach Station and then arrives at Southampton Coach Station in Harbour Parade.
The low fares of coach travel are truly unbeatable. With a cost that starts at £5.00, you get a comfortable seat with ample legroom, charging ports and free Wifi. National Express also prides itself to be the greener option compared to train and car rides. You can also book great coach fare deals here with Megabus. Alternatively, you can also check Flixbus for their current coach fares and schedule.
Here is a sample timetable for coach travel from London to Southampton:
Coach from London Victoria Coach Station to Southampton Coach Station Harbour Parade
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:30 am | 6:50 am | 6 hours 50 minutes | £13.90 |
| Latest trip | 11:59 pm | 2:30 am | 2 hours 31 minutes | £5.80 |
| Cheapest fare | 2:30 pm | 5:10 pm | 2 hours 40 minutes | £5.00 |
| Fastest duration | 6:30 am | 8:25 am | 1 hour 55 minutes | £5.80 |
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with MEGABUS. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the UK.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Southampton by Train
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 13 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £10.70
Travelling by train to Southampton from London is possible. In fact, this option is widely used by locals and visitors alike. This journey is about 69 miles or 112 kilometers long and can be covered in a little over an hour.
You can catch the train to Southampton at London Waterloo station. This is serviced by South Western Railway. Southern trains depart from London Victoria station. All trains bound to Southampton arrive at Southampton Central.
The earliest train departs at 12:10 am while the last trip is at 10:50 pm. There are many time slots to choose from, so I am sure you will find one that best suits your schedule. I suggest that you book your train tickets in advance here with Trainline. If you want to get further discounts, you can check the National Rail Card deals here.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Southampton by Rental Car
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 10 minutes
- .Travel Fare: from £77.48
If you have driven in the UK before, then getting a rental car from London and driving it to Southampton will be an easy task for you. If this is going to be your first time conquering the UK roads, you might want to read my UK driving tips to help you get a headstart.
To get to Southampton from London, you will be driving for 85 miles or 136.7 kilometers via A3 and M3. With normal traffic, you can reach your destination in about two hours and 10 minutes.
The price for a rental car in London starts at £77.48. While this may truly be more expensive than the other options, it is worth the price when you think about the privacy and convenience you can get from having your own vehicle.
For great deals, make sure to book in advance to secure your choice of vehicle at the best price possible. You check the best car rental deals here with Discover Cars.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Southampton by Private Transfer
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 50 minutes
- .Travel Fare: from £95 per person
You can book a private transfer via Get Your Guide for your trip to Southampton coming from London. This option is perfect for those who are travelling as a group and would like to have the utmost privacy and comfort.
It is also a great alternative to driving yourself from London to Southampton. Your professional driver will take care of the navigation; all you have to do is sit back and relax! A standard saloon car can seat four passengers with ample space for two checked luggage and two hand luggage.
OTHER TRANSFER OPTIONS FROM LONDON TO SOUTHAMPTON:
More about Southampton UK
- Get Your Guide is your one-stop shop for all the best activities to do in Southampton.
- I wrote another article here about the Best Things to do in Southampton.
- See The Best Cruise Destinations Around the World to get some inspiration on where to go next.
RECOMMENDED TOURS IN SOUTHAMPTON FROM GET YOUR GUIDE:
Map of Southampton, Hampshire, UK
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Southampton
How do I get to Southampton from London?
You can get from London to Southampton by coach, train, rental car and private transfer.
How long is the train journey from London to Southampton?
The train journey from London to Southampton lasts for about one hour and 13 minutes.
What airport in London is closest to Southampton?
Southampton (SOU) Airport is the nearest airport to Southampton.
What train lines go to Southampton?
South Western Railway, Southern, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry are train lines that go to Southampton.
How much does a London Southampton coach trip cost?
The cost of a London to Southampton coach ticket starts at £5.00. Make sure to book in advance to get the best deal.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Southampton?
The cheapest way to get from London to Southampton is by coach. It only costs £5.00 to travel to Southampton with this mode of transportation.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Southampton?
The fastest way to get from London to Southampton is by train. The fastest travel time on schedule is 1 hour and 13 minutes.
What is the best way to get from London to Southampton?
The best way to get from London to Southampton is by coach. It is the most cost-efficient way to travel, given the affordability of the fare at £5.00 and a manageable travel time of about two hours.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.