If you are taking a cruise from Southampton and are not local to the area, you may not realise that there are actually five different cruise terminals you could be sailing from.
Different cruise lines tend to sail from different terminals, but on busy days, ships will dock at whichever terminal has the space for them.
It is very easy to book your parking down by the Ocean terminal at one end of town, only to discover your ship is docked at the Mayflower terminal. That’s a 40-minute walk away.
Map of The Terminals
It will take you around an hour to walk from the Queen Elizabeth 2 terminal at the eastern end to the Mayflower terminal at the western end. That’s no fun if you’re dragging a suitcase along behind you – believe me, I have done it!
Make sure you know which terminal you are sailing from before you book parking or make any other important travel or hotel arrangements.
All terminals have onsite parking, either arranged through ABParking or CPS Parking. You can book by entering the dates and the ship you are sailing on into their website; it is all very simple.
While this is convenient, it is certainly not cheap, particularly during peak season.
There are lots of other parking options available if you don’t mind them being slightly less convenient.
QEII Cruise Terminal
- Berth 38/39,
- Dock Gate 4, Southampton, SO14 3GG
This terminal is at the eastern end. It can be found off the A33, Platform Road in the Eastern Docks.
It is easy to get to by car – follow signs for Dock Gate 4. Leave plenty of time though, as traffic can be heavy when multiple ships are docking in Southampton.
Southampton Central is the nearest railway station and is about two miles from the terminal.
There is a “Quayconnect” bus service you can catch between the station and Town Quay. It will still then be around a 15-20 minute walk to the terminal itself.
Taking a taxi from the railway station is probably the easiest option, particularly if you have a lot of luggage.
QEII terminal is regularly used by Cunard, sometimes by P&O and occasionally by Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea
I don’t think I have ever sailed from this terminal.
Parking is available nearby, through CPS Parking. Find out more about CPS parking here:
CPS Car Parks – Southampton Cruise Parking Options
Ocean Terminal
- Berth 46/47
- Cunard Road, Southampton, SO14 3QN
I have sailed from Ocean Terminal many times, mostly with P&O cruises.
I regularly drive across the Itchen Toll Bridge into Southampton, and you can often see ships docked at the Ocean Terminal in the distance. That’s when the cruise excitement begins!
The Ocean terminal is just off the A33 (Platform Road). Look out for dock gate 4. Again, allow plenty of time, as traffic can become heavy when many ships are in port.
Parking is available on-site through CPS parking.
CPS Car Parks – Southampton Cruise Parking Options
It is worth noting that the Triangle car park is also nearby and may be a more affordable option.
Triangle Car Park – Southampton Cruise Parking Options
Southampton Central is the closest train station if you are arriving by rail. The train station is around two miles from Ocean Terminal.
Taking a taxi from the railway station is probably the easiest option, particularly if you have a lot of luggage.
City Cruise Terminal
- Berth 101
- Western Docks, Southampton, SO15 1BS
City Terminal is in the middle position of the five terminals in Southampton
It is quite close to the distinctive old port dock gates (that you will see if you are walking to the ship). You are unlikely to drive through these gates, though; you will be directed to dock gate 10, where there are further old gates.
If you’re driving, head towards the Western Docks, following the A33, also known as West Quay Road.
Look for signage to Dock Gate 10, the City Cruise Terminal is located just to your left as you drive through the dock gate and approach the mini roundabout.
Again, Southampton Central is the closest train station if you are arriving by rail. The train station is around two miles from Ocean Terminal.
Taking a taxi from the railway station is the easiest option, particularly if you have a lot of luggage.
On-site parking is organised by CPS Parking or AB Parking
CPS Car Parks – Southampton Cruise Parking Options
Southampton Cruise Parking Options – AB Car Parks (Real Review and Guide)
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity often dock here.
I remember boarding Anthem of the Seas in Southampton, and embarkation was delayed because some passengers had stowed away on board. I completely understand why they didn’t want to get off at the end of the cruise, but it caused havoc!
City Terminal is very close handy for the Voco Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) or Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour.
Horizon Cruise Terminal
- Berth 102
- Horizon Cruise Terminal Southampton, Southampton, SO15 1AW
Horizon terminal is Southampton’s newest terminal. It has a distinctive sweeping roof that can be spotted from a distance. There is a multi-story car park nearby.
Horizon Cruise Terminal cost £55 million and was opened in 2021 by the Maritime Minister.
The terminal is easily accessible by car or public transport.
If you’re driving, head towards the Western Docks, following the A33, also known as West Quay Road.
Look for signs to Dock Gate 10. You will see the Horizon terminal directly in front of you as you pass through the dock gates.
AB Parking manages parking onsite. Find out more here:
Southampton Cruise Parking Options – AB Car Parks (Real Review and Guide)
Often, Norwegian and MSC sail from the Horizon Terminal.
The Ibis budget hotel and Ibis Southampton Centre are reasonably close to this cruise terminal, and you can see them from the dockside.
Mayflower Cruise Terminal
- Berth 106
- Dock Gate 10, Southampton, SO15 1HJ
The Mayflower terminal is at the western end of the terminals. I have embarked and disembarked onto the Queen Mary 2 from this terminal. I also sailed on P&O’s Aurora from here.
Finding the terminal is fairly easy. Just follow the A33 heading for the Western Docks via Dock Gate 10.
Once you pass through the security at the gates, take a right at the mini roundabout and follow the clear signage.
Southampton Central train station is about a twenty to thirty-minute walk away, a distance of just over a mile.
Taking a taxi from the railway station is probably the easiest option, particularly if you have a lot of luggage.
Parking is by CPS parking. Find out more about that here:
CPS Car Parks – Southampton Cruise Parking Options
There aren’t really any hotels within walking distance, as this terminal is deep inside the dock area itself. It’s probably better to take a taxi from your hotel or book parking nearby.
Despite my pictures showing dark and cloudy skies, the sun does sometimes shine in Southampton!
Before You Go
There are lots of other parking options if you are embarking on a cruise in Southampton. Have a look at some of those here:
I Tested 6 Car Parks Used for Southampton Cruises (Comparison, Prices, REAL REVIEW)
Find out which airport is the best for the Southampton cruise ports here:
Which Airport Is Best for a Southampton Cruise? – Options Compared
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