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Sailing from Southampton? The port has five cruise terminals in two dock areas, and each one is reached through a different dock gate. From London you can take the train from Waterloo, a coach from Victoria, drive, or book a transfer straight to the terminal door. This guide explains each option and how to find your terminal.
Southampton cruise terminals: the quick answer
- Five terminals: Ocean and QEII in the Eastern Docks; City, Horizon and Mayflower in the Western Docks.
- Check your terminal first: it's in your cruise documents, and it decides which dock gate you use.
- By train: London Waterloo to Southampton Central takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, then a taxi or walk to the terminal.
- By coach: about 2 to 3 hours from London Victoria to Southampton Coach Station.
- Easiest with luggage: a pre-booked transfer from your London address to the terminal; private taxis can drop off directly outside.
Southampton's Five Cruise Terminals and Dock Gates
The Port of Southampton is the UK's busiest cruise port. Cruise lines sailing from Southampton include Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and others. Your cruise documents tell you which terminal to go to.
| Terminal | Dock area | Dock gate | From Southampton Central station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Cruise Terminal | Eastern Docks | Gate 4 | About 30 min walk; taxi recommended |
| QEII Cruise Terminal | Eastern Docks | Gate 4 | Taxi recommended |
| City Cruise Terminal | Western Docks | Gate 10 | About 15 min walk |
| Horizon Cruise Terminal | Western Docks | Gate 10 | About 12 min walk |
| Mayflower Cruise Terminal | Western Docks | Gate 20 by car (Gate 10 on foot) | About 30 min walk; taxi recommended |
Walking times are published by the port, using the southern exit of Southampton Central station. With cruise luggage, a taxi is usually easier.
London to Southampton Cruise Terminal by Train
South Western Railway runs direct trains from London Waterloo to Southampton Central, taking about 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Leave by the southern exit: the port recommends this side of Southampton Central for the cruise terminals.
- Taxis: there are ranks on both the northern and southern sides of the station, and taxis can drop you directly outside your terminal.
- Walking: realistic for Horizon and City with light bags; Ocean and Mayflower are about 1.5 miles away.
- Check before you travel: engineering works can affect weekend trains, so check the timetable for your sailing day.
London to Southampton by Coach
National Express coaches run from London Victoria Coach Station to Southampton Coach Station on Harbour Parade, taking about 2 to 3 hours depending on the time of travel.
- Onward taxi: there's a taxi rank at the coach station, and the port says a taxi to the Western Docks terminals takes about 5 minutes via Dock Gate 10, depending on traffic.
- Southampton Central: the station's taxi ranks are about 0.3 miles (a 6-minute walk) from the coach station.
Driving and Parking at Southampton Cruise Terminals
Southampton is reached from London by the M3, with the M27 and M271 leading to the docks. Follow the signs for your terminal's dock gate.
- Parking: ABParking is the port's official cruise car parking provider, with car parks inside the secure port estate. Long stay parking must be pre-booked.
- Drop-off: each terminal has a passenger drop-off area. You drop your luggage outside the terminal, then go inside to check in and through security.
- Arrival time: arrive at the time allocated by your cruise line, not earlier.
- Allow extra time: road journey times depend on traffic, especially on busy sailing days.
Taxi from London to Southampton Cruise Terminal
By train or coach, you still need to get your cases to the station, change at Southampton, and take a taxi to the docks. A pre-booked transfer takes you from your London address straight to your terminal. It's usually the easier choice when:
- you have a week or two of luggage;
- you're travelling as a family or group;
- you're staying in a London hotel before your cruise;
- your terminal is Ocean, QEII or Mayflower, away from the station.
Book a London to Southampton cruise transfer
- Door to terminal: cruise port transfers from any London address to your Southampton terminal, with TfL-licensed drivers.
- Room for cruise luggage: estates, MPVs and 16-seaters in our fleet.
- There and back: book your pickup for when the ship returns in the same booking.
- Fixed fares: see the fare for each vehicle before you confirm. Add your ship and terminal when you book. Get an instant fare quote.
Getting Back to London After Your Cruise
Disembarkation can take time, so book a train with some flexibility or a transfer that collects you from the terminal. Each terminal has a taxi rank directly outside for the short trip to Southampton Central, where trains run back to London Waterloo. Flying home instead? The port says Heathrow is about 1 hour 25 minutes by road and Gatwick about 1 hour 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Travelling light to City or Horizon: the train to Southampton Central, then a short walk or taxi.
- Travelling on a budget: a coach from Victoria, then a taxi from the coach station.
- Lots of luggage, a family or a group: a door-to-terminal transfer; see group transfers.
- Driving yourself: pre-book official parking and follow the signs for your dock gate.
Sailing from the Thames instead? Read our Tilbury cruise terminal guide. Flying into London before your cruise? See our London airport transfers.
Southampton Cruise Terminal FAQs
Five: Ocean and QEII in the Eastern Docks, and City, Horizon and Mayflower in the Western Docks. Your cruise documents tell you which one you sail from.
Dock Gate 4 for Ocean and QEII, Dock Gate 10 for City and Horizon, and Dock Gate 20 for Mayflower by car. Pedestrians use Dock Gate 10 for Mayflower.
About 1 hour 20 minutes on a direct South Western Railway train from London Waterloo to Southampton Central. From there, take a taxi or walk to your terminal.
For Horizon and City, yes: about 12 to 15 minutes from the station's southern exit. Ocean and Mayflower are about a 30-minute walk, and a taxi is recommended for QEII. With cruise luggage, a taxi is usually easier.
Yes. Private taxis can drop off directly outside the terminal, where you leave your luggage before checking in. Each terminal also has a taxi rank outside.
ABParking is the port's official cruise car parking provider, with car parks inside the port estate. Long stay parking must be pre-booked.
At the arrival time allocated by your cruise line, which is in your cruise documents. Allow extra time for traffic on the way, and choose a pickup time that gets you there on time.
Yes. Choose Round Trip when you book to add your pickup from the port when the ship returns, and add your ship and terminal to the booking.
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