Leaving the ship and flying home from Gatwick? A Southampton cruise terminal to Gatwick taxi with OTS Taxi costs from £130 in a saloon, fixed when you book. Your driver meets you outside the cruise terminal, takes care of the cases and drives you directly to the North or South Terminal at Gatwick.
Gatwick is a little further from Southampton than Heathrow, and there is no simple direct rail link from the docks. Most routes by train mean getting to Southampton Central, then changing in London or at Havant or Brighton. With cruise luggage, a car from the terminal door to the Gatwick drop-off is the easiest option, and for two or more people it often costs a similar amount per head.
Fixed Fares: Southampton Cruise Port to Gatwick
One-way prices from the Onward Travel Solutions booking system on 21 October 2026, for a weekday morning pickup. Each fare includes the £5 airport drop-off fee at Gatwick.
Ocean and QEII terminals
| Vehicle | Seats and luggage | One-way fare |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 3 passengers, 3 large cases | £130 |
| Estate | 4 passengers, 4 large cases | £150 |
| Executive | 3 passengers, 2 large cases | £175 |
| People Carrier | 6 passengers, 5 large cases | £175 |
| 8-Seater Minivan | 8 passengers, 8 large cases | £193 |
| Executive Minivan | 6 passengers, 6 large cases | £235 |
| 12 Seater Minibus | 12 passengers, 10 large cases | £446 |
| 16 Seater Minibus | 16 passengers, 14 large cases | £511 |
City, Mayflower and Horizon terminals
| Vehicle | Seats and luggage | One-way fare |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 3 passengers, 3 large cases | £135 |
| Estate | 4 passengers, 4 large cases | £155 |
| Executive | 3 passengers, 2 large cases | £182 |
| People Carrier | 6 passengers, 5 large cases | £182 |
| 8-Seater Minivan | 8 passengers, 8 large cases | £202 |
| Executive Minivan | 6 passengers, 6 large cases | £246 |
| 12 Seater Minibus | 12 passengers, 10 large cases | £456 |
| 16 Seater Minibus | 16 passengers, 14 large cases | £523 |
For a family of five or six, the people carrier at £175 works out at around £29 each. Groups who sailed together can share a 16-seater for about £32 each. Get your exact price in our booking form.
Route and Journey Time
The journey is about 90 miles. Drivers usually take the M27 and M3, then the M25 round to junction 7 and the M23 south to Gatwick. On a clear road that is around 1 hour 45 minutes. The M25 between the M3 and M23 is the stretch most likely to slow things down, especially on weekday mornings and Friday afternoons, so allow up to 2 hours 30 minutes at busy times.
An alternative coastal route along the A27 through Portsmouth, Chichester and Worthing, then north on the A23, is sometimes used when the M25 is badly delayed. Your driver checks traffic before setting off and picks the quicker road.
Taxi, Train or Coach?
| Private taxi | Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door to door | Yes, terminal to airport | No, taxi to the station first | No, transfer to the coach stop first |
| Changes | None | At least one | Often one |
| Luggage | Driver loads and unloads | You carry it between platforms | Limited hold space |
| Best for | Couples, families, groups, heavy luggage | Solo travellers with light bags | Budget travel with time to spare |
The train or coach is usually cheaper for one person. Once two or more of you are travelling with cruise luggage, the fixed taxi fare is often close to the combined cost of tickets and the taxi to the station. It also removes the risk of missing a connection with your flight waiting.
Planning Your Gatwick Flight
Disembarkation in Southampton normally runs through the morning in timed groups, and collecting your cases from the baggage hall adds more time. Because Gatwick is further away than Heathrow, we suggest a flight from early afternoon onwards. Leave yourself time for check-in and security as well as the drive.
| If you leave the terminal at | You should reach Gatwick by about |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | 10:30 – 11:00 |
| 10:00 | 12:00 – 12:30 |
| 11:30 | 13:30 – 14:00 |
These are typical times in normal traffic and are only a guide. Tell us your flight time when you book and we will check the pickup time with you.
North or South Terminal?
Gatwick has two terminals about two minutes apart on the free shuttle train. Check your airline booking before you travel. Your driver drops you at the correct terminal’s departure forecourt, and the drop-off charge is already included in the fare. See our Gatwick airport taxi page for more about each terminal.
Getting Met at the Ship
Southampton’s cruise terminals are spread across the Eastern and Western Docks. Ocean and QEII are in the Eastern Docks, and City, Mayflower and Horizon are in the Western Docks. Tell us your ship and sailing date and we will send the driver to the right one. The driver contacts you as you come out of the baggage hall and helps load your cases.
- Message us your disembarkation group time on WhatsApp the evening before.
- Keep your phone switched on once the ship docks.
- If you have a mobility aid or extra luggage such as golf clubs, mention it when you book so the right vehicle is sent.
Choosing a Vehicle
A saloon suits a couple with two large cases. An estate gives four people room for four cases. People carriers take up to six with five cases, and our 8-seater and executive minivans suit two or three couples sharing. For bigger groups, the 16-seater cruise port minibus carries everyone and their luggage in one trip.
Related Routes
Arriving at Gatwick for a cruise instead? See our Gatwick to Southampton cruise port taxi. Flying home from Heathrow? See the Southampton cruise terminal to Heathrow taxi. For pickups from addresses in Southampton itself, see Southampton to Gatwick taxi. All our port routes are listed on the Southampton cruise terminal taxi page.
Cruise Transfers From Other Areas
We also run fixed-price transfers to the Southampton cruise terminals from Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford, Reading, Brighton and Chichester.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Southampton cruise port to Gatwick?
On 21 October 2026 our fixed fare was £130 in a saloon from Ocean or QEII terminal and £135 from City, Mayflower or Horizon terminal, including the Gatwick drop-off fee.
How long is the drive from Southampton cruise terminal to Gatwick?
About 1 hour 45 minutes in normal traffic for roughly 90 miles. Allow up to 2 hours 30 minutes on weekday mornings or when the M25 is busy.
Is there a train from Southampton cruise terminal to Gatwick?
There is no direct train from the docks. You would need a taxi to Southampton Central and then at least one change, usually in London or along the south coast.
What time flight should I book from Gatwick after my cruise?
For most passengers a flight from early afternoon onwards gives enough time for disembarkation, the drive and airport check-in.
Can the driver wait if disembarkation is slow?
Yes. Message us if your group is called late, and the driver waits for you at the terminal pickup area.
Do you take groups from the ship to Gatwick?
Yes. 12 and 16-seater minibuses are available and usually work out cheaper per person than several cars.
Book your fixed-price transfer in our online booking form or message us on WhatsApp.