Southampton to London Cruise Transfer, via the Cotswolds, Country Pub Lunch & Oxford

Departure from Cruise Terminal

Nearly all cruises at Southampton arrive between 05:00am and 06:00am in the morning, with disembarkation starting around 07:00am. Your driver will meet you at the terminal building exit from 08:00am. Your driver will be holding a sign reading "International Friends", and will accompany you the car. We plan to leave Southampton by 08:30am. There are 4 cruise terminals at Southampton, all slightly different but you will have a typical walk of about 75 yards to the vehicle where the driver will load your luggage into the hold. In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port, we will delay our departure time accordingly (applicable only to the listed ships we service). For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).

Please note that all timings above are estimated and assuming normal traffic conditions. Due to the changeable nature of road conditions, we cannot guarantee a precise time when you will arrive at Heathrow and London.

Arrival at London & Heathrow

We depart Oxford at 6:00pm and arrive at Heathrow hotels and terminals from 7.00pm subject to traffic, arriving in Central London between 7.30pm and 8:00pm. We drop off at any London city centre or Heathrow airport hotel. We also drop at all London city centre train stations. If you are flying from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton Airports we can drop you at Victoria Rail or Coach Station around 8:00pm - 8:30pm, where there are frequent trains and airport buses to each airport. Please note on arrival in London we may use other vehicles to ensure we complete the drop offs as quickly and efficiently as possible. If this does happen our drivers, guides or tour managers will manage this.

Below is a list of major hotels in London and Heathrow that we offer a drop off at. If your hotel is not on the list or you are staying at an apartment or Airbnb, during the booking process you will need to add the address in the additional information box. We will then contact you after your booking to confirm that we can offer a drop off here.

Drop off hotels in London click here          Drop off points at Heathrow click here

Helpful Information 

How far in advance should I book?

Our tour dates go on sale 12-18 months in advance. We always advise booking early to avoid disappointment as availability cannot always be guaranteed if booking is left until closer to the date of travel. 

How much Luggage can I bring?

Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (23kg each) and 1 item of carry on luggage (10kg each). 

Limits on luggage are worked out based on the space available in the vehicles hold. If you bring extra luggage there is a possibility it will not fit in the vehicle. In this instance you will be responsible for arranging separate transportation for your luggage to your hotel or airport, which could result in you missing the start of your tour/transfer.

Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact us in advance to let us know. We will require full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold. Wheelchairs must be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.

What happens if my ship is late getting into port?

In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port, we will delay our departure time accordingly (applicable only to the listed ships we service). However, due to the timed entries at some of the attractions on these tours, in these circumstances we can not guarantee the itinerary will be completed as detailed. If attraction entries can not be changed to accommodate the late departure, some locations may have to be dropped. We do guarantee that transportation will be provided for you, whether this is for a shortened version of the day trip, or as a direct transfer to your hotel; we will ensure you are collected from the port. For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).

Will you wait for me if I am late disembarking from the ship?

If your cruise ship docks on schedule and disembarkation begins as normal, we cannot be held responsible, in the unlikely event you are unable to disembark in time to meet your transfer. This is a shared transfer and we cannot delay departure from the port for customers who are late in disembarking. It is your responsibility to check the departure time for your transfer, and ensure you are at the meeting point at the appropriate time. For some cruise lines this may require self disembarkation. To ensure you can disembark in time to meet your guide/driver we would recommend self-disembarkation. Refunds cannot be issued for passengers who miss their tour due to being late.

How will I identify the International Friends staff?

When you disembark the ship and leave the departure terminal, you will see a guide holding a sign reading ‘International Friends’. The guide will have all your information ready to welcome you on board. From here the guide will either walk you directly to the coach or show you exactly where to go with your luggage and get settled ready for the day.

You do not service the ship I am travelling on. What do I do on the morning of the tour?

Our transfers from the port are available to passengers on other ships not listed, when dates and arrival times coincide with the ships we do service. You will need to make your own way to the ship we are servicing on that date. Please note on your booking the ship you are arriving on, and we can then advise which ship you will need to make your way to. Please note you will need to arrive at our meeting point by 08.00am to meet your guide/driver. Our tours and transfers depart at 08.30am.

You may need to take a taxi from your ship to our meeting point which should take no longer than 10 minutes. There will be taxis waiting outside of your cruise ship, however, to avoid queuing we suggest pre booking a taxi in advance. Our office will be happy to provide the details of a local supplier. The average fare will be £6-7.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

As you exit the cruise terminal you will meet your guide and there will be a short 100 yard walk to the vehicle.

The two Cotswold villages that we visit will involve light to moderate walking.

There will be a one hour (optional) walking tour in Oxford which will require a fair-moderate level of fitness.

We aim to take you directly to your chosen drop off point (accommodation, train station etc). However sometimes due to traffic or parking restrictions we may not be able to get right to the front door. We will aim to park as close as we can ensuring it is safe for you and other road users.

How many people are on this tour?

This tour is a shared transfer and there will be a maximum of 36 people on your tour, plus the expert guide and the driver. We will provide a luxury, air-conditioned touring coach, with plenty of space for everyone and their luggage.

Is food and drink provided on this tour?

We will provide a 1 course meal and a soft drink at a Cotswolds, traditional English Pub. Cold food and drink can be eaten on the coach. Hot food is not permitted and all hot drinks must have a lid. Any rubbish is to be taken with you.

What are the options for lunch at the traditional English pub?

Your lunch choice must be noted at the time of booking. The choices are as follows -

1. Roast chicken breast, mash, savoy cabbage, bacon & thyme jus

2. Chefs Vegetarian Choice Of The Day

Lunch also includes one soft drink per person. We typically lunch at The Lamb Inn, though this is subject to change. Offering vegetarian and vegan options, we can also advise on choices excluding certain allergens.

What should I wear?

British weather can be variable and so guests are advised to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. It is recommended to bring some warm clothes with you especially in the winter months and layers are good for adapting to the ever-changing weather conditions. It is a good idea to wear appropriate footwear as there is walking involved on our tours. England is known for its rain so it is advisable to bring a waterproof jacket or umbrella with you.