Birmingham to Southampton cruise terminal
Southampton is the Midlands' nearest major cruise port, about 144–145 miles from central Birmingham by the M40, the A34 and the M3. A private car takes you and your luggage from your door to your ship's terminal in one journey, from £294 per car for a saloon or £310 for an MPV, with the fare fixed when you book.
Fares from Birmingham to each terminal
| Ship terminal | Saloon up to 4, 2 cases | MPV up to 6, 4 cases | Executive up to 3 | 8-seater up to 7 | Road miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Cruise Terminal | £295 | £311 | £328 | £361 | 144 |
| QEII Cruise Terminal | £296 | £312 | £329 | £362 | 145 |
| City Cruise Terminal | £294 | £310 | £327 | £360 | 144 |
| Horizon Cruise Terminal | £294 | £310 | £327 | £360 | 144 |
| Mayflower Cruise Terminal | £295 | £311 | £328 | £361 | 144 |
Guide fares per vehicle, one way, from Birmingham city centre (New Street) for a weekday daytime journey, luggage included; the same fares apply from the ship. Fares from Solihull, Edgbaston and the south of the city are a little lower and from Sutton Coldfield a little higher; the booking page prices your exact address. Fridays, weekend mornings and peak hours carry a supplement. A return booked with the outward trip costs 1.9 times the single fare.
The route south
From Birmingham the car takes the M42 or the A41 to the M40, heads south past Warwick and Banbury, then joins the A34 near Bicester and follows it past Oxford and Newbury to the M3 at Winchester. Southampton is about 20 minutes beyond. It is dual carriageway and motorway nearly all the way, about 144–145 miles.
The A34 round Oxford is the usual slow point, especially at rush hour. If it is badly delayed, the driver can stay on the M40 to the M25 and come down the M3 instead; it is further but can be quicker. The fixed fare does not change.
There are services at Warwick and Cherwell Valley on the M40 if you want a break.
Planning embarkation day from the Midlands
| Your check-in slot | Weekday pick-up | Saturday or Sunday pick-up |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00–12:00 | 07:45 | 08:00 |
| 12:00–13:00 | 08:45 | 09:00 |
| 13:00–14:00 | 09:45 | 10:00 |
| 14:00–15:00 | 10:45 | 11:00 |
These leave around three hours for the journey. If your slot is early, consider a night near the port; see hotels for the night before.
Train, parking or a private car?
The train from Birmingham New Street to Southampton Central is direct on CrossCountry, taking around 2½ to 3 hours, then a taxi to the ship. It is good value for light travellers, but with cruise luggage the walk through New Street and the taxi queue in Southampton are the hard parts.
Driving yourself is around three hours each way plus port parking for the whole cruise; see our cruise parking guide.
A private car is one journey from your door to the terminal. For four people sharing an MPV, it is about £78 each.
Birmingham to Southampton in winter: the long run south
At around 144 miles via the M40, A34 and M3, Birmingham is one of the longer runs we do to the docks, and winter adds its own challenges. Fog can settle on the M40 through the Oxfordshire countryside, and the A34 crosses open downland where frost and ice linger on cold mornings. Our drivers check conditions before setting off and leave extra time on days when the forecast is poor, so you are not watching the clock on the final approach to the dock gate.
Rail from Birmingham to Southampton is a long journey even on a good day, and around Christmas and New Year it is more likely to involve engineering works and replacement buses. That is not where you want to be with a winter cruise wardrobe and two large cases each. Christmas departures cluster on the Saturday to Tuesday before the holiday, 19 to 22 December, and on Christmas Day itself you can expect little or no rail service. Booking a car from Birmingham or Solihull removes the connections entirely.
- Extra time built in for M40 fog and frost on the A34 downs.
- Car warm and ready, so the long run south is comfortable from the start.
- Ship tracked on the way home before the drive north begins.
- Saloon or MPV chosen around winter luggage, with no extra charge for bags.
Out of cruise season, our NEC Birmingham event chauffeur covers winter exhibitions, and the London to Birmingham chauffeur route runs all year.
Questions
How much is a car from Birmingham to Southampton cruise terminal?
From £294 for a saloon (up to 4 people, 2 large cases) and £310 for an MPV (up to 6 people, 4 cases), per vehicle, one way. An 8-seater for larger family groups starts at £360.
How long does the drive from Birmingham to Southampton take?
About 144–145 miles. Allow 2 hours 45 minutes on clear roads and up to 3 hours 15 minutes on a weekday or a summer Saturday.
Is there a direct train from Birmingham to Southampton?
Yes. CrossCountry runs direct from Birmingham New Street to Southampton Central in around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. From Southampton Central you need a taxi to the ship.
Should we travel the day before from Birmingham?
For a check-in slot before about 12:30, a night near the port makes the morning easier. For afternoon slots, an early pick-up from Birmingham works well.
Do you cover Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and the Black Country?
Yes. We collect anywhere in the West Midlands; the booking page prices your exact address.
Do you run Birmingham pickups for festive and repositioning cruises?
Yes. We collect from Birmingham, Solihull and the surrounding area for winter, festive and repositioning sailings as well as summer ones. The fare is fixed for the vehicle, includes luggage, and is agreed before you travel. In winter we leave extra time for conditions on the M40 and A34, so the pickup may be a little earlier than in summer.
If our ship is late back in winter weather, will you still drive us home to Birmingham that day?
Yes. Your driver tracks the ship's arrival, so if a storm delays docking or the berthing time changes, the pickup moves to match. Once you are in the car it is the M3, A34 and M40 north, and the driver will take breaks as needed on a long winter drive so everyone gets home safely.