Getting here
As Europe’s largest cruise port, business travellers will find Southampton exceptionally well connected; the city sits on the convergence of two major motorways, has an excellent rail network and coach links, and is connected internationally by air.
By road
Southampton is easily reached by car from London, the north and the home counties by the M27 and M3 motorways and A34, it is just under 80 miles from London. From the west and Wales use the A36, from the east use the A27/M27 exiting at Junction 8.
Car Parking
In addition to hotel and event venue car parks, Southampton has more than 40 car parks around the city centre as well as covered car parks in main shopping areas such as Westquay which has 4,000 spaces. The Southampton City Council Interactive City Parking map [LINK]
By rail
Direct train services operate to Southampton Central Station from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle and other major cities. Southampton Central Station is about one mile from the city centre. South Western Railway operates services to London Waterloo (around 1 hour 20 minutes) Southern Railway operates services to London Gatwick (approx. 1 hour 55 minutes), Brighton (1 hour 55 minutes), London Victoria (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes) Great Western Railway operates services to Bristol (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes), Portsmouth (approx. 50 minutes) Brighton (1 hour 50 minutes) and Salisbury (approx. 30 minutes) Cross Country Trains operates services to Birmingham (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes), Oxford (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes), and Manchester (approx. 4 hours 7 minutes) National Rail [LINK]
By air
Southampton International Airport operates flights to many UK and European destinations with onward connections worldwide. These include Paris, Amsterdam, Geneva, Faro and Belfast. The airport is located on the outskirts of the city with good access from the M27 and M3 and train connections from Southampton Airport Parkway train station which takes about 10 minutes to Southampton Central, trains run frequently throughout the day. Southampton Airport [LINK]
By coach
A good UK network operates from National Express, the coach station is on Harbour Parade. National Express coaches also pick up/drop off at the University of Southampton and St Mary’s Stadium. National Express Southampton [LINK]
By ferry
Two Red Funnel ferry services operate to Southampton Town Quay. The Red Jet is a high-speed service carrying foot passengers to West Cowes in the Isle of Wight, taking about 25 minutes. Travel with a vehicle operates from Town Quay to East Cowes and takes about 60 minutes. Cross Channel ferries operate from nearby Portsmouth to France and the Channel Islands
