Southampton, Bath & Windsor Castle to Heathrow & London
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A wonderful combination greets you on this fully guided group post cruise transfer from Southampton to London and Heathrow. We blend the refined elegance and Roman history of the city of Bath with Royal Windsor, home to the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and the setting for the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
- Shared Door to Door cruise transfer from Southampton to London & Heathrow
- Services of expert, friendly guide
- Travel in a luxury, air conditioned coach with a maximum of 35 passengers
- Guided tours in Bath & Windsor
- Optional pre-bookable tickets for entry to Windsor Castle (except Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
- If your ship is late, we will wait!
This cruise transfer is available on all dates when Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Oceania, NCL, Celebrity, Princess and Disney cruise ships are visiting Southampton. Service also available to passengers on other ships not listed when dates and arrival times coincide with ships listed. Please note you will need to make your own way to the ship we are servicing on that date.
After meeting up with your friendly team of driver and knowledgeable tour guide in Southampton, we begin our journey into limestone country with gently rolling hills and honey-coloured cottages. We edge westwards into the Mendip Hills down the valley road into Bath, a city that has welcomed tourists for over two thousand years owing to its hot thermal springs that attracted both Celtic Kings and a while later, Roman aristocracy.
On arrival, you will have the option of taking a short walking tour, or optional entry to the Roman Baths, a testament to the cult of Sulis Minerva, both a God of healing and of the underworld. Walk along the original Roman paving, admire the steaming baths and see the ruins of the temple.
From Bath we drive towards Heathrow and London making our next stop in Royal Windsor. Over 900 years of Royal history await you at the majestic Windsor Castle, said to be the favourite home of the current King. After a short walking tour in Windsor, you will have the option of entering the Castle where you can see the state apartments and the Royal Chapel of St.George. The town of Windsor itself sits alongside the River Thames with royal parks, traditional shops and typical English pubs, making it one of England's most popular destinations.
From Windsor you will then be transferred to your chosen destination of Heathrow airport, Heathrow hotels or central London hotels.
Please note for 2024 Windsor Castle is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and it can also be subject to last minute closures. As such, entry to the Castle is not automatically included on our day trip. On days when the Castle is open the guide will take you to the Castle entry. If you intend on visiting the Castle we strongly recommend booking your tickets when booking this tour, to guarantee entry.
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).
| Time | Tour Timings | |
|---|---|---|
| Departs Arrives |
08:30am 10:30am |
Southampton Cruise Port Bath |
| Departs Arrives |
12:00pm 2:00pm |
Bath Windsor |
| Departs |
4:30pm |
Windsor |
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 Windsor at 4:30pm and drop at Heathrow hotels and terminals 5:00pm - 5:45pm subject to traffic, arriving in Central London 6:00pm - 6:30pm. 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, 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
Southampton, Bath & Windsor to Heathrow & London
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). If you have to bring more than the allocated amount, please inform us prior to travel.
Limits on luggage are worked out based on the space available in the coaches hold. If you bring extra luggage there is a possibility it will not fit in the coach. 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.
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.
Additional charges will be incurred should you bring additional items of luggage or for items weighing more than the maximum weight stated above.
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.
This tour has optional entry for the attractions – do I need to book?
If you wish to pre-purchase entry to the Roman Baths or Windsor Castle then you do not need to contact the attraction and book entry. You will not need separate entry tickets to the attraction, the guide will manage your entry on the day. If you know you want to visit an attraction we always advise you add the tickets on at the time of booking your transfer. We cannot guarantee entry for passengers to the attractions that have not pre-booked and paid.
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 walk of about 100 yards to the vehicle. Upon arrival in Bath you will be taken from the coach drop off point to the Roman Baths. This walk typically takes between 15 – 20 minutes. Some parts of Bath have cobbled pavements which may cause issues for those with walking difficulties. From Windsor coach park, there is approximately a 15-minute walk to the Castle itself. Parts of the walk are uphill and may not be suitable for passengers with mobility issues.
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, and will provide plenty of space for everyone and their luggage.
Is food and drink provided on this tour?
Food and drink is not provided on this tour. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch with you. Cold food and drink can be eaten on the coach. Hot food is not permitted and all hot drinks must have a lid. All rubbish is to be taken with you.
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.
Are audio guides provided on this tour?
There will be an expert guide with you for the duration of the tour. The tour guide is not able to enter the Roman Baths or Windsor Castle. During your free time the guide will remain in the area, but this is your opportunity to explore on your own. If you wish to enter Windsor Castle, you will be provided with free multimedia guides at the start of your visit along with headphones.
For more information about the attractions on your tour, please visit the below links –
- Windsor Castle – https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
- The Roman Baths - https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/
How long will my journey take?
We will collect you from the ship’s terminal and depart Southampton from 8.30am. The journey to Bath will take approximately 2 hours. After departing Bath for Windsor the journey will take approximately 2 hours. From Windsor the journey to Heathrow Airport will take approximately 30 minutes arriving at around 5:00pm where the first drop offs begin. We arrive in Central London at around 6pm where the remaining drop offs will take place.
Will I make it to Heathrow Airport in time to catch my flight?
In the UK we advise arriving at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. As a general guide, we would not recommend our shared service for anyone departing Heathrow before 8:00pm. Drop offs at Heathrow Airport begin around 5:00pm.
If your flight departure timings are too near to the shared transfer arrival time we would strongly recommend you book a private transfer. With private transfers you can depart the port at a time of your choice. It is your responsibility to check in advance that our tour itinerary is suitable for your onward travel, particularly if same day flights are involved. Please email [email protected] if you wish to check that our transfer is suitable for your onward travel plans.
My flight departs from Gatwick – can you drop me off there?
Unfortunately Gatwick is not in London and not in our drop off zone. We advise passengers use Victoria Station in central London as their drop off point as there are regular, cost effective transport options available from here directly to Gatwick. You can check out these options at:
- Express trains: www.gatwickexpress.com
- All trains: www.nationalrail.co.uk
- Coach transfers: www.nationalexpress.com
Where will the coach take me at the end of my trip?
Our coaches will drop off to any hotel at Heathrow Airport and any Zone 1/Central London hotel or train station. We aim to drop as close to the door as possible, but due to traffic and parking restrictions this may not always be possible.
My chosen hotel is not on your list of drop off points, can I still use this service?
We drop off at any London city centre hotel and Heathrow airport hotel and terminals. Occasionally we are unable to drop off at certain hotels because they are not in London city centre, Heathrow airport or not easily accessible by coach. Please email us at [email protected] and we will advise if we can drop off at your hotel, or direct you to the closest drop off point.
If the hotel you have chosen to stay is not on the list, we can still drop you there as long as it is within Zone 1/Central London or at Heathrow. If your hotel falls out of the chosen area, we can take you to a train station to allow direct access to the hotel or we can take you directly there for an extra charge which will be indicated before travel.
Should we tip our driver or guide?
Tips are entirely at the customer’s discretion and in no way expected. Should you feel inclined to tip, your driver or guide would be grateful, but you should not feel obliged. A 10% tip is considered customary in the UK.