Southampton Trans Atlantic, Flight from NY to London as well as hotel/length of stay etc.

[Pattycruise]

Greetings!

I am attemtping to book my flights/hotels and sight seeing in London.  For me this will be a 10 day process as Ilike to research everything, read reviews and try to have a good understanding of "what I'm walking into".  Any helpful hints, experience will be very much appreciated.

1.  Flights from NY to London.   I see there are early morning flights leaving NY as well as the typical overnight flights.
Is one more beneficial than the other?

2. Arrival in England.  What can I expect at the airport? Should I stay nearby (if I took a day flight and arrive in the evening)-is there anything to walk to?  Best transport to London, and approximate cost?

3.  Recommendations on area to stay for a few nights, as well as areas to stay away from 

4.  Your must see in London.  I know it will vary by interests.

5. Transport recommendations to Southampton

6.  Is there an Uber/Lyft type app to do quick transport?

Thank you for any input you can provide.

[AshleyDillo]

I have only been to the UK once for a land trip, but I found it super easy to get around with the trains, Underground (subway) and buses. Tons of affordable transportation options to DIY. 

National Express is one of the major bus carriers and it's way cleaner and nicer than Greyhound in the United States.

Premier Inn is a budget hotel chain that is pretty decent if you don't want to deal with the sticker shock of the big worldwide hotel chains.

Uber does exist over there.

If you are flying into Heathrow there is the Heathrow Express train that goes directly into London. Price was pretty reasonable and it's about a 20 minute ride if I recall.

[ellcee]

I LOVED London. I'd go back again and again.

The overnight flights are interesting when it comes to jet lag. I've done a bunch and as I get older my body hates it more but it's because I can't sleep on the plane. I think if you can get some sleep it's probably a lot easier for your body. Every time I need to set aside a few hours for a nap before I can continue, and that's if I can check in early.

I live in NY and still am awful getting around on the subways yet I found the Underground ridiculously easy. The maps make sense and are easy to read. 

My only word of caution is to be super careful with your things. Our first meal out we saw someone come into the restaurant and still a lady's bag and run out. Don't know if the person was caught but the lady was crying because her passport was in her bag. We were told this is common (but isn't it common in any big city?!)

 

 

[JasonOasis]

Airlines began those early morning flights to LHR for business travelers. Since the pandemic there are a lot less early morning LHR flights out of NYC (JFK and EWR (yes I know EWR is in New Jersey )) than there were pre-pandemic.  However one of the main benefits of taking one of those early morning flights out of NYC is you don't have to wait for a hotel room and it kind of keeps your body on a schedule your use to.  The downside was pre-pandemic those early morning flights were a lot more expensive than flights that leave in the afternoon/evening.  I don't know if that is still true now as there isn't as many business travelers today as there were in 2019.

If you are looking at an afternoon/evening flight just know you will arrive at LHR in the morning and your hotel room will NOT be ready, especially if your flights arrives into LHR  around 5 am, 6 am, 7 am.  People haven't even checked out of their rooms yet at that early hour so what you will have to do is just leave your bags at your hotel and go out and see the city grab some breakfast and do whatever you want as you wait for check-in to begin. To get from LHR I would suggest taking the Heathrow Express and as far as getting around LHR you don't need a car, Uber or Lyft the Underground which is an extensive subway system that can get you all over London. 

There are multiple ways to reach Southhampton from London, you can do a private car if you like but if you are looking to save a few bucks there is also a train from London that goes to Southhampton Central Station and from there it is a short taxi or Uber ride over to the cruise port.

As far as what to see or do while in London I can't answer that because I don't know what peaks your interest.  What I will say is London like New York has something for everyone it is an absolute fun city to spend a few days exploring.

At the end of your cruise I would suggest booking a private car because there are no trains that take you directly from Southhampton to LHR (you will have to switch trains multiple times and if you have suitcases that won't be fun at all).  And please do NOT book a tight connection give your self more than enough time to not only make the drive/ride to LHR but then go through all the check-in and departure procedures. 

[FionaMG]

@Pattycruise, I came across this article with my breakfast coffee and thought you might mind find it interesting. You'll probably see a pop up saying register to keep reading but you don't actually have to; just scroll a little further down and click on the button that says I'll try later and it should open the article up.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/england/london/london-city-guide-locals-best-restaurants-neighbourhoods-b2248066.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IND_Travel 2022-12-30&utm_term=IND_Travel_Newsletter_CDP

[Pattycruise]

17 hours ago, FionaMG said:

@Pattycruise, I came across this article with my breakfast coffee and thought you might mind find it interesting. You'll probably see a pop up saying register to keep reading but you don't actually have to; just scroll a little further down and click on the button that says I'll try later and it should open the article up.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/england/london/london-city-guide-locals-best-restaurants-neighbourhoods-b2248066.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IND_Travel 2022-12-30&utm_term=IND_Travel_Newsletter_CDP

Wow, lots of info. I’ll have to get a pad and paper and concentrate when reading, thank you!

@jasonoasis thank you re:the flight info. At this time the pricing is similar to the overnights.

@ellcee I used to work in NYC.  I knew the system well but they decided to change the letters/numbers on some lines….lots of confusion 

[Andonini842]

Patty, I'd be happy to help here - I used to work at both Gatwick and Heathrow and now live near Southampton. However, I note that your request is now quite old - please let me know if you still need help here.

[Pattycruise]

On 4/19/2023 at 8:50 AM, Andonini842 said:

Patty, I'd be happy to help here - I used to work at both Gatwick and Heathrow and now live near Southampton. However, I note that your request is now quite old - please let me know if you still need help here.

Thank you! But my trip is done. 

[Lauriet]

Can anyone recommend a car service from London Gateway airport to Southampton

 

[ALnAtlanta]

On 4/19/2023 at 8:50 AM, Andonini842 said:

Patty, I'd be happy to help here - I used to work at both Gatwick and Heathrow and now live near Southampton. However, I note that your request is now quite old - please let me know if you still need help here.

.

Andonini842, 

Since you live in Southampton, I was hoping you might be able to tell me of a hotel within walking distance to the port. Is there such a one?

Thanks,

Al

.

[FionaMG]

6 hours ago, AlnAtlanta said:

.

Andonini842, 

Since you live in Southampton, I was hoping you might be able to tell me of a hotel within walking distance to the port. Is there such a one?

Thanks,

Al

.

Hi Al,

I'm not Andonini but I can offer some suggestions.

I have stayed at the Holiday Inn, which is the closest hotel to the port, just a very short walk: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/southampton/soahp/hoteldetail

And also the Premier Inn Westquay, which is a couple of minutes farther: https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/southampton/southampton-city-centre-west-quay.html

Both are fine. The HI is usually more expensive but I preferred it because it had a much better selection at breakfast.

If you fancy something with a bit more character, you could try Pig in the Wall, a boutique hotel built into the castle wall, which is also within easy walking distance of the port. Some Cruise Critic roll call buddies of ours stayed there and really liked it: https://www.thepighotel.com/in-the-wall/

 

[ALnAtlanta]

13 hours ago, FionaMG said:

Hi Al,

I'm not Andonini but I can offer some suggestions.

I have stayed at the Holiday Inn, which is the closest hotel to the port, just a very short walk: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/southampton/soahp/hoteldetail

And also the Premier Inn Westquay, which is a couple of minutes farther: https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hampshire/southampton/southampton-city-centre-west-quay.html

Both are fine. The HI is usually more expensive but I preferred it because it had a much better selection at breakfast.

If you fancy something with a bit more character, you could try Pig in the Wall, a boutique hotel built into the castle wall, which is also within easy walking distance of the port. Some Cruise Critic roll call buddies of ours stayed there and really liked it: https://www.thepighotel.com/in-the-wall/

 

Thank you, FionaMG

That's great info to have. I think it will be the HI for me - first because it's the closest and also because I know what I will get (worldwide standards). But I'll check out the Pig in the Wall, also. I really appreciate your help. Does Southampton have tours one can take around the city to landmarks? 

Al

[FionaMG]

10 hours ago, AlnAtlanta said:

Thank you, FionaMG

That's great info to have. I think it will be the HI for me - first because it's the closest and also because I know what I will get (worldwide standards). But I'll check out the Pig in the Wall, also. I really appreciate your help. Does Southampton have tours one can take around the city to landmarks? 

Al

Delighted to have been of assistance.

I can't help with tour info, I'm afraid, but the local tourist information site might help: https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/

If you like Greek food, I can recommend The Real Greek, located just a few minutes walk from all three of the hotels I mentioned: https://www.therealgreek.com/restaurants/southampton/

[ALnAtlanta]

1 hour ago, FionaMG said:

Delighted to have been of assistance.

I can't help with tour info, I'm afraid, but the local tourist information site might help: https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/

If you like Greek food, I can recommend The Real Greek, located just a few minutes walk from all three of the hotels I mentioned: https://www.therealgreek.com/restaurants/southampton/

Thanks so much. I do love Greek food and will certainly give them a visit. I'm travelng over from New York and have decided to take a day or two to sightsee in Southampton  before going on to London.