How-to · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Cruise port transfers from London: Southampton, Dover, Tilbury and more
Journey times from south-west London
| Cruise port | Approximate distance from Wimbledon | Typical drive time | Main route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | About 75 miles | 1 hr 30 to 2 hrs | A3 and M25 then M3 |
| Portsmouth | About 70 miles | 1 hr 30 to 1 hr 45 | A3 all the way |
| Dover | About 80 miles | 1 hr 45 to 2 hrs 15 | M25 then M20 or M2 and A2 |
| Tilbury (London International Cruise Terminal) | About 35 miles | 1 hr to 1 hr 30 | M25 and Dartford Crossing, or through east London |
| Harwich | About 85 miles | 2 hrs to 2 hrs 30 | M25 then A12 and A120 |
Times assume normal traffic. Allow more on summer Saturdays, bank holiday weekends and during school holidays, when several ships may turn around on the same day.
Southampton: know your terminal
Southampton has five cruise terminals spread along the docks, and walking from one end to the other can take around an hour. Ships are allocated a terminal for each sailing, and while lines tend to use the same ones, it can change on busy days.
| Terminal | Lines that often use it |
|---|---|
| QEII Cruise Terminal | Mainly Cunard, sometimes P&O Cruises |
| Ocean Cruise Terminal | Often P&O Cruises and Cunard |
| City Cruise Terminal | Often Royal Caribbean and Celebrity |
| Horizon Cruise Terminal | Often MSC and Norwegian |
| Mayflower Cruise Terminal | Varies, including P&O Cruises |
Your terminal is printed on your boarding documents or e-tickets. Send it to your chauffeur before the day so they can head straight for the correct dock gate.
When to leave
Cruise lines give each passenger a boarding or check-in window, and arriving very early rarely helps because you simply queue. The aim is to reach the terminal at the start of your slot.
- Find your boarding window on the cruise line app or documents
- Work back from it using the typical drive time plus 30 to 45 minutes of buffer
- On summer Saturdays at Southampton, add extra time for queues at the dock gates
- Leave even more margin for Dover on days when cross-Channel traffic is heavy
Luggage and the right car
Cruise luggage is the reason many people book a car rather than taking the train. Two weeks of formal and casual clothes usually means large cases, and porters at the terminal take bags directly from the car.
| Party | Typical bags | Suggested vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Couple, one week | 2 large cases and 2 cabin bags | Executive saloon |
| Couple, two weeks or more | 2 to 3 large cases and 2 cabin bags | Estate or people carrier |
| Family of four | 4 large cases and hand luggage | People carrier |
| Two couples travelling together | 4 to 6 large cases | People carrier |
Attach cruise luggage tags before the car arrives, as porters will want them on every case when you are dropped off.
Disembarkation day
Coming home is less predictable than going out. Ships dock early, but passengers leave in groups over several hours, and customs or luggage collection can cause delays. Rather than booking a fixed collection time, agree a window and message the driver when you have your bags.
- Choose an early self-assist disembarkation slot if you want the quickest exit
- Ask how much free waiting time is included and what is charged after it
- Share your mobile number and keep your phone charged on the last morning
- Combine with a stop on the way home, such as collecting a pet from kennels, if you book hourly
Is a chauffeur worth it for a cruise?
A one-way transfer to Southampton costs more than the train, and cruise lines also offer coach transfers. A car makes most sense for groups, for people with mobility needs, for anyone travelling with plenty of luggage, and for early starts when trains are limited. Port parking costs for a week or two can also be significant, so compare the total of fuel, parking and a long drive home after a holiday against a fixed return transfer.
Dover, Tilbury and Harwich: what is different
Not every cruise from the south east leaves from Southampton. Dover has its own cruise terminals next to the ferry port, and on busy summer days the roads into Dover are shared with heavy cross-Channel traffic, including freight queues on the M20 and A20 when there is disruption. Check traffic news on the morning of travel and allow generous time.
Tilbury, home of the London International Cruise Terminal on the Thames in Essex, is the closest cruise port to London. From south-west London the usual route is the M25 and the Dartford Crossing, which carries a charge for each crossing, or a route through east London using one of the river tunnels. Harwich, on the Essex coast, is the furthest of the main ports from Wimbledon and is mainly reached via the A12.
- Dover: watch for cross-Channel delays and plan extra time
- Tilbury: ask whether the Dartford or tunnel charge is in your quote
- Harwich: allow for a longer drive and avoid Friday afternoon traffic on the A12
- Portsmouth: often an easy A3 run, but check the terminal as it is shared with ferries
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from London to Southampton cruise terminal?
From south-west London, such as Wimbledon, Southampton is about 75 miles and typically takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours by car via the A3, M25 and M3. From central or north London allow 2 hours or more. Add extra time on summer Saturdays and bank holidays, when several ships may be turning around and the dock gates get busy.
Which Southampton terminal does my cruise leave from?
Your terminal is shown on your boarding documents or in the cruise line's app. Lines tend to use the same terminals, for example Cunard often uses QEII and Royal Caribbean often uses City Cruise Terminal, but allocations can change on busy days. Always check the documents for your specific sailing and give your chauffeur the terminal name before the day.
What time should I arrive for a cruise?
Aim to arrive at the start of the boarding or check-in window your cruise line gives you. Arriving much earlier usually means waiting in a queue, while arriving late close to the all-aboard time risks missing the ship. Plan the drive with 30 to 45 minutes of spare time so ordinary traffic delays do not matter.
cruise transfers Southampton Dover luggage
