Southampton is the UK's busiest cruise port, and most cruises from the south of England start here. Getting there from Epsom with a fortnight's luggage is much easier by car than by train, which means a change at Clapham Junction or Woking and a taxi from Southampton Central to the docks anyway. Our Epsom to Southampton cruise taxi takes you from your front door to the terminal entrance.
A saloon from central Epsom costs from £159, fixed when you book. The drive is around 74 miles and normally takes 1 hr 30 min.
Epsom to Southampton prices
Cruise luggage takes more room than an airport trip. For two people with large cases, an estate is often more comfortable; for four or more, choose an MPV.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large cases | One way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon Toyota Camry or similar | 4 | 2 | £159 |
| Estate Toyota estate or similar | 4 | 4 | £179 |
| Executive Saloon Mercedes-Benz E/S-Class or similar | 3 | 2 | £229 |
| MPV Large people carrier or similar | 6 | 4 | £209 |
| MPV 8 Seater Volkswagen Multivan or similar | 8 | 8 | £249 |
| First Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class or similar | 3 | 2 | £379 |
| BMW i7 Chauffeur BMW i7 fully electric | 3 | 2 | £409 |
The route to the docks
From Epsom the driver takes the A24 to the M25 at Leatherhead, goes anticlockwise to junction 12 and then follows the M3 all the way to Southampton. At the end of the M3 the M27 and A33 lead into the city and the Western and Eastern Docks. It is a straightforward motorway run, with the slow sections usually around the M25 junction and the final approach into Southampton on embarkation days, when thousands of passengers arrive at once.
Which terminal?
Southampton has five cruise terminals, and your cruise documents say which one your ship sails from:
- Ocean Terminal, in the Eastern Docks
- QEII Terminal, in the Eastern Docks
- City Cruise Terminal, in the Western Docks
- Mayflower Cruise Terminal, in the Western Docks
- Horizon Cruise Terminal, in the Western Docks
Tell us the terminal and the ship when you book. Lines sailing from Southampton include P&O Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Princess and Celebrity.
Arriving at your check-in time
Cruise lines give each passenger a check-in time slot, and arriving too early can mean waiting outside. We plan the pickup from Epsom so you arrive at the start of your slot, with a margin for traffic. On arrival, porters take your large cases at the terminal and you go straight into check-in.
Coming home from your cruise
Disembarkation usually starts early in the morning, with passengers leaving the ship in groups over several hours. Book your return pickup with the ship name and the date it docks. The driver checks the ship's arrival and meets you outside the terminal once you have collected your luggage. Book both journeys together and the return is 5% cheaper.
Cruise parking or a taxi?
Cruise car parks in Southampton charge by the day, so a two-week cruise can cost a lot in parking alone, plus fuel and the long drive home after an early disembarkation. With a taxi, you can relax on the last morning, and someone else drives you home.
Other cruise ports from Epsom
| Route | Distance | Time | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epsom to Southampton cruise terminals | 74 miles | 1 hr 30 min | £159 |
| Epsom to Portsmouth International Port | 61 miles | 1 hr 10 min | £139 |
| Epsom to Dover Cruise Terminal | 80 miles | 1 hr 30 min | £169 |
| Epsom to Harwich International Port | 106 miles | 2 hr 5 min | £219 |
| Epsom to London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury | 47 miles | 1 hr 5 min | £109 |
