London for cruise passengers: southampton, dover and tilbury: a practical guide with 2026 prices

From the people who meet you in arrivals. Prices checked October 2026.

Airport to ship, door to door

Heathrow to Southampton’s five cruise terminals is about 80 minutes (fixed fare, no change of train, porters at the kerb); Gatwick to Southampton about 2 hours; Heathrow or Gatwick to Dover about 2 hours; Tilbury 1 hour from the City. Terminals open 3–4 hours before sailing with staggered check-in slots; we drop you at the terminal door for yours. Flying in the same day? Give us the sailing time and we plan backwards from it.

Pre-cruise London

A night or two in London before sailing is the usual plan: see the sights, then a morning car to the port with the bags. Luggage storage at stations if you want a last London day. Disembarkation days are busy – book the ship-to-airport car in advance for a fixed price rather than queuing at the port.

Accessibility and groups

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles and MPVs for families or groups of up to eight with cruise luggage; assistance dogs carried free; a stop for a SIM, cash or a pharmacy on the way.

Next steps

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