Southampton Cruise Parking: The Ultimate Guide

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Planning a cruise can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to figuring out where to park your car in Southampton. That’s why I’ve put together this guide – to make choosing the best Southampton cruise parking as simple and stress-free as possible!

I’ve cruised from Southampton countless times and tried various options for parking. Some have been much better than others! And it doesn’t help that there are so many different car parking websites that all want to tell you they’re the best.

As well as parking at lots of different car parks, I’ve spent a further 20 hours doing in-depth research and reading other people’s reviews to create this unbiased guide to Southampton cruise parking.

So, whether you want the most convenient car park that’s right by the ship, the cheapest parking spot or a great value Southampton hotel and parking deal, I’m here for you.

The 4 Best Places To Park In Southampton For Your Cruise

These are my top picks…

Car ParkTypeTransferPrice
TrianglePark By The Ship4 minutes walkCheck Price
Portside Meet & GreetValet Parking1 minute walkCheck Price
AirlynxPark & Ride3-5 minutes free shuttleCheck Price
DoubleTree By HiltonHotel & Parking10 minutes taxi includedCheck Price

But if you want more information before you decide, read on and I’ll show you all of the options for parking your car in Southampton for your cruise.

I’ve also included a couple of alternative cruise parking options that you might not have heard of…

The Best Car Parks For Cruises From Southampton

There are many different long-stay car parks in Southampton that are suitable for a cruise. As a rule, the further you park your car from the cruise terminal, the cheaper your parking will be. 

Horizon cruise terminal car park in Southampton
This is one of the most expensive car parks, but look how close my car is!

Many off-site cruise car parks include free shuttles, although some options which require you to take a taxi to the ship are also worth considering because what you’ll save in parking charges will pay for your taxi and more.

You can find parking for a fraction of the price if you’re willing to park further away. But if you want the most convenient option, you can drop off your car right by the ship and have a porter take care of your luggage for you so that you never need to touch it between your car boot and your stateroom

Car Parks Within Southampton Cruise Terminal

The most convenient option for cruise parking in Southampton is to park your car within the cruise terminal itself. This is only an option if you cruise from Ocean, City or Horizon Cruise Terminal.

Horizon cruise terminal
Car parking behind Horizon Cruise Terminal

The following companies offer parking at Southampton cruise port…

Triangle Car Park

🏆 Most Convenient for Ocean Terminal

Address: Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2HJ

Triangle Car Park is the most convenient option for Ocean Cruise Terminal. It offers self-parking, which means that you find a space, park your car and then walk to the Ocean Terminal to join your ship.

You can book parking in Triangle Car Park for other terminals besides Ocean, and these come with an included taxi from Ocean Cruise Terminal to the terminal that you depart from.

FEATURES

  • Park Mark Award
  • 4-minute walk

BE AWARE

  • Only Ocean Cruise Terminal is walkable from here

AB Parking

🏆 Most Convenient for Horizon/City Terminals

Address: Ocean Gate, Atlantic Way, Southampton, SO14 3QN

AB Parking is an official cruise parking provider that’s owned and operated by the Port of Southampton.

The car park is located next to the City Cruise Terminal and Horizon Cruise Terminal. It’s only available if you are cruising with certain cruise lines. These are Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Fred. Olsen, NCL, MSC, Disney and Saga.

You can also read my full AB Parking Review.

FEATURES

  • Park Mark Award
  • 1-minute walk

BE AWARE

  • City & Horizon Terminals only
  • Certain cruise lines only

If your cruise ship departs from Southampton’s Mayflower Cruise Terminal or Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal, you cannot park by the ship as there are no car parks here. You can, however, leave your car by the ship and have a valet driver park it safely for you.

So, read on for the best valet parking options for Southampton cruises…

Southampton Cruise Terminal Valet Parking

Valet parking is also known as ‘meet and greet’ parking. If you choose this option you will leave your car by the ship and hand your keys to a parking attendant who will move it to a secure car park for you.

Valet parking at Southampton cruise terminal

Some people dislike valet parking because they have no idea where their car will be parked and may worry that it is parked at the roadside or some other unsecured location. For this reason, I have only included trusted cruise parking providers with secure compounds.

The following companies offer valet parking at Southampton Cruise Port…

Portside Meet & Greet

🏆 Great Value

Portside Meet & Greet is a family-run business that prides itself on exceptional customer service when it comes to Southampton port parking.

You can drop off your car at any Southampton cruise terminal and it will be parked in a secure, fenced area with CCTV and returned to you when you disembark the ship. Electric cars can also be charged for you.

FEATURES

  • Electric car charging
  • 1-minute walk

BE AWARE

  • Price may differ depending on which website you use to book

CPS Meet & Greet

Cruise and Passengers Services (CPS) offers valet parking at Southampton cruise port as well as other port handling services such as mooring, cargo loading and baggage handling for all types of ships.

CPS parking offers car parking only for passengers cruising with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises or Cunard.

When you arrive at the port, you will be met by staff who will book in your vehicle and take it to the secure compound for you. You can then make your way to the cruise terminal to check in.

FEATURES

  • Park Mark Award
  • Car cleaning and repair service for extra cost

BE AWARE

  • P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises & Cunard only

Both on-site parking and cruise terminal meet and greet parking can be very expensive. Plus, it’s not available for every cruise.

If you’d like to save money on your parking, I recommend that you consider parking a little further away and getting a free shuttle bus or included taxi.

Southampton Cruise Park & Ride

There are many car parks in Southampton that offer a ‘park and ride’ service for cruise passengers.

These are located a few miles from the port and usually come with a free coach or minibus shuttle service that will take you from your car to the cruise terminals.

Airlynx Express
Photo: Eddie, (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Booking off-site cruise car parking can save you a considerable amount of money compared to on-site self-parking or on-site valet parking.

The following companies offer off-site parking for cruises from Southampton…

Airlynx Britannia Wharf

🏆 Fastest Transfer

Address:  Britannia Wharf, Belvidere Road, Southampton, SO14 5JF

Airlynx Cruise Parking offers the best value park-and-ride service for Southampton cruise passengers.

The company has two car parks. The first, located in Britannia Wharf, is the closest off-port cruise parking venue in Southampton. The shuttle journey takes as little as three minutes.

When you arrive at the car park, you hand your keys over to the staff and take the free shuttle bus to your ship.

FEATURES

  • Park Mark Award
  • Luxury transfer buses
  • Car cleaning service

BE AWARE

  • Transfers take up to 5 minutes

Airlynx Wren’s Farm

Address: Wrens Farm, Castle Lane, North Baddesley, Southampton SO52 9LY

Airlynx’s second car park is located at Wrens Farm, North Baddesley. This is really convenient for anyone arriving via the M3 motorway.

The shuttle takes a little longer, but you if you’re coming from the north, this is often easier than driving into Southampton city centre yourself.

FEATURES

  • Park Mark Award
  • Luxury transfer buses
  • Car cleaning service

BE AWARE

  • Transfers take up to 20 mins

These specialist cruise parking providers are all great. But, there are cheaper options available if you know where to look…

Alternative Car Parks in Southampton

There are lots of private car parks in Southampton that belong to hotels, shopping centres and businesses. You can even arrange to park on private driveways or inside lock-up garages.

It’s simple to find these if you use a specialist parking comparison websites. You can even filter your search to look for facilities like CCTV, disabled access or electric vehicle charging.

Man looking for Southampton cruise parking on laptop

You’ll need to make your own way to the port though, so be sure to factor in the cost of a taxi or Uber.

The following websites will show you the cheapest cruise parking in Southampton…

Just Park

Just Park is a website that lets you easily find parking spaces anywhere in the UK.

Perfect for cruise parking in Southampton, this service also does a great job of connecting drivers with people who have driveways that they are willing to rent out.

You can see a photo of the parking space to help you decide. Many driveways have a CCTV camera to give you added peace of mind.

FEATURES

  • Shows the cheapest and closest parking spaces

BE AWARE

  • You may need a taxi transfer

Your Parking Space

Your Parking Space has hundreds of car parks in Southampton, including some hotels with cheap car parks that are within easy walking distance of the cruise terminals.

All you need to do is enter your dates to see available car parks close to where you need to be. Then, you can book your parking online and just turn up.

FEATURES

  • Show spaces with CCTV, covered parking or disabled access
  • Find spaces with electric vehicle charging

BE AWARE

  • You may need a taxi transfer

With these parking comparison sites, the further in advance you can search for parking, the more options will be available to you.

Southampton Hotels With Cruise Parking

If you’ll be driving for more than a couple of hours to reach Southampton, then it’s a good idea to travel down the day before your cruise. This is much more relaxing than getting up early in the morning and worrying about traffic jams that could potentially make you miss the ship!

Many Southampton hotels have special offers for a pre-cruise stay and parking. This could actually work out cheaper than port parking!

Some hotels include a free shuttle bus as part of the deal, but with others, you would have to get a taxi at your own expense.

List of Southampton Hotels with Parking for Cruises:

Hotel NameStarsTransferTime to PortPrice
DoubleTree by Hilton⭐⭐⭐⭐Included10 minsCheck price
Grand Harbour Hotel⭐⭐⭐⭐Included15 minsCheck price
MacDonald Botley Park⭐⭐⭐⭐Included20 minsCheck price
Marriott Meon Valley⭐⭐⭐⭐Included20 minsCheck price
Elizabeth House Hotel⭐⭐⭐Taxi10 minsCheck price
Holiday Inn Express⭐⭐⭐Taxi10 minsCheck price
Hilton Ageas Bowl⭐⭐⭐⭐Taxi20 minsCheck price
Holiday Inn Eastleigh⭐⭐⭐⭐Taxi22 minsCheck price

Southampton B&Bs with cruise parking

It’s usually the big chain hotels that have large enough car parks to offer parking for cruise travellers. However, if you prefer to stay at a B&B or guest house in Southampton with cruise parking then I recommend that you take a look at Hunters Lodge and Twin Oaks Guest House. Both have stay-and-park deals for cruisers.

I also have a full guide to Southampton hotels with cruise parking if you’d like more info.

car parking at Southampton docks
Multi-storey parking at Southampton Cruise Port

Which terminal will your cruise depart from?

Southampton has five cruise terminals that are spread over a mile of docks, so it’s important to know which one you need to get to before you book your car parking.

If you book parking at the wrong terminal, you’ll face the stress of a last-minute taxi to the ship (or a long walk with your luggage).

To find out which terminal your cruise will depart from, check your tickets or cruise documents. Alternatively, you can check the Southampton Port website as that will list which ships depart from which terminals.

Southampton Cruise Terminals

  • Ocean Cruise Terminal: Berth 46, Cunard Road, Southampton, SO14 3QN
  • City Cruise Terminal: Berth 101, Western Docks, Southampton, SO15 1BS
  • Mayflower Terminal: Berth 106, Dock Gate 10, Southampton, SO15 1HJ
  • QEII Cruise Terminal: Berth 38/39, Dock Gate 4, Southampton, SO14 3GG
  • Horizon Cruise Terminal: Berth 102, West Bay Road, Southampton SO15 1AW

The following map shows the location of the five Southampton cruise terminals…

While cruise ships usually dock at the same terminal each time, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, a ship can depart from one terminal and return to another.

So, even if you’ve cruised on the same cruise ship before, you should still check your documents carefully for details of which terminal your ship will sail from.

My Recommendation

The best place to park in Southampton for a cruise depends on what’s important to you.

When I’ve cruised from Southampton with a baby, a toddler, two pushchairs and more suitcases than we could pull, I opted to park at the Triangle Car Park at the cruise terminal. It was so convenient!

As soon as we parked, staff were there to take our cases from the boot and we didn’t see them again until they were delivered to our cabin! It was really easy, but not cheap.

Now that the kids can walk, I prefer to use Just Park and Your Parking Space to find the cheapest parking within a couple of miles of the port. I then request an Uber which usually arrives in under five minutes and costs only a few pounds. This saves us so much money!

If you’re considering staying over the night before, I haven’t tried it myself, but I know that a lot of cruisers have mentioned that Doubletree by Hilton does one of the best stay-and-park deals with a free shuttle.

Southampton Cruise Parking With A Blue Badge

Most Southampton cruise parking services offer special assistance for people with disabilities. Blue badge holders are not entitled to free parking at Southampton cruise port, but you will get a space in a more convenient location and assistance with luggage.

To ensure that your needs are accommodated, I recommend that you telephone your chosen parking providers before booking.

Southampton Cruise Parking

Southampton Cruise Parking FAQs

In this section, I aim to answer some of your most-asked questions about parking in Southampton. If you have any more questions, please add them in the comments below and I will do my best to help.

What is the nearest car park to Southampton port?

The nearest car park to Southampton port is the Triangle car park which is located within Southampton’s Ocean Cruise Terminal. If your ship departs from Southampton’s City Cruise Terminal then the nearest car park is the ABP Parking car park.

For cruises departing from Southampton’s Mayflower, Queen Elizabeth II and Horizon Cruise Terminals, there are no car parks within walking distance of the ship.

Is there parking at Southampton cruise terminal?

Southampton Cruise Terminal offers car parking within walking distance of the ships. The cost for seven nights starts at around £69. Cheaper off-site options are available, some with free shuttles to the terminal.

How much does it cost to park at Southampton Cruise Terminal?

Parking at Southampton Cruise Terminal costs between £10 and £20 per day, depending on demand and how far in advance you book. Alternatively, you can park your car in an off-site car park for as little as £5 per day and take a free shuttle or get a taxi.

Is there free parking in Southampton?

There is no free parking at Southampton Cruise Terminal. Some free parking may be available in residential streets, but many require a permit, and you will have no way of knowing that your car is safe during your holiday.

Can you park on the street in Southampton?

There are designated streets in Southampton where parking is available but not usually for long-term stays. If you’re booking a cruise you should book a car park – they are safer and are designed for stays over multiple nights.

What time do cruise ships leave Southampton?

Most cruise ships depart from Southampton between 4.30 pm and 6 pm, although some may wait until the evening. Exact timings vary by itinerary – check your cruise documents for your specific departure time.

Which cruise terminal Does Royal Caribbean use in Southampton?

Southampton’s cruise terminals are managed by the port authority, and the terminal used by cruise ships can change. Royal Caribbean ships often use the Ocean Terminal as it’s the most modern, although the new Horizon Terminal is also designed for larger ships.

What dock does Princess use in Southampton?

Cruise lines don’t have a fixed terminal at Southampton, and your departure and arrival terminals can vary. Usually, Princess Cruises uses the Ocean Terminal but check your cruise documents to be sure.

More cruise parking guides:

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me



45 thoughts on “Southampton Cruise Parking: The Ultimate Guide”

  1. Hi Jenni, what a useful site.
    I’m aiming to come back on Britannia on 5 April 2024 (Ocean Terminal), having flown out to Barbados a couple of days or so before sailing back.
    I need the car at Southampton for my return, therefore, bringing it down over a fortnight before I fly out.
    Please can you recommend a trustworthy company for parking and would I be able to obtain a taxi to Southampton Central to get me back home, having dropped off my car?
    I’ve tried CPS, which I used with P&O last July, but with this configuration, do not want to know on this occasion.
    It’s a lot to sort out – any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

    • Hi Barbara. Have a look on Just Park or Your Parking space websites. These usally have the best deals. You may even find something near the station, which might make things easier. I hope that helps. Jenni

  2. Which terminal /dock does MSC USE

    • Hi David. MSC usually docks at Horizon cruise terminal, but not always. Sometimes City Cruise Terminal is used. Please check your cruise tickets for the accurate info. Thanks. Jenni

  3. Hello,we will be cruising for the first time next year on the new cunard Queen Anne…we need parking with electric charging point’s??? It is beginning to be a nightmare finding them …HELP

  4. What about getting dropped off by car? Do you still need to pay to access the port?

    • No, you don’t, you can just get dropped off.

      • Thanks Jenni

  5. Hi. We’re going on our first ever cruise to Norway from Southampton on 15th September. I’ve read your advice on parking at Ocean Terminal and I’ve tried to follow the links for two of the options – Triangle Parking and Port Side Meet & Greet. I’m now completely confused. All links take me to Skyparksecure.com and when I put in the departure and return dates I only ever get one result for Airlynx – Britannia Wharf. Does this mean all parking at Triangle Ocean Terminal is already sold out? Do I need to pre-book parking, or can I turn upon the day? All help greatly appreaciated.

    • Yes, it only shows the ones with availability. You will need to book in advance as well as spaces may not be available on the day.

  6. I am using triangle parking. Can I park the car then go for a meal then return to collect my luggage.

  7. Do you have any recommendations of where to stop either just outside or in Southampton if arriving early for a cruise? We can’t arrive for our booked parking too early but plan to get to Southampton early in case of any traffic holdups. A service station or maybe retail park where 2 cars can park?
    Any advice would be fab. Thanks so much 🙂

    • The Westquay shopping centre is a good place to park and spend a couple of hours.

  8. Really helpful post, thank you. I discovered today (probably through my own ignorance rather than a sudden change by the cruise company) that I am parked at Triangle for a cruise departing Ocean Terminal (so that’s great) but it returns to QE2 Terminal. I understand that a taxi is best option to get back to Triangle at end of the cruise but failing that is it sensibly possible to walk from QE2 38/39 back to Triangle either without luggage (to return in car to collect other pax and luggage) or even with actual luggage on roll-alongs. Thanks for any info!

    • It’s about a mile so doable. I’ve walked a mile to the coach station after disembarking in Southampton so I’d walk it if it were me. Jenni

  9. Hi do you know if you need to pre book the triangle car park or can we just drive in without a booking, and just pay on arrival

    • Hi Lorraine. To the best of my knowledge, you have to prebook it. There’s no information anywhere about being able to turn up and pay on the day – it uses barriers with numberplate recognition so you’ll need to have registered your car in advance in order to get in.

  10. I will be dropping someone off at berth 46 to work on Britannia. Where can I park for about an hour please?

    • Hi Ann, there’s a short-stay car park to the right of the terminal as you face it, with prices starting at £1 an hour. Or there’s a multi-storey car park a few minutes walk away at SO14 3TJ which costs £2 for 2 hours.

      • Hi cruisemummy my daughter is going to work on the QM2 and she’s leaving from berth 106 is there parking nearby for about 1 hour thanks

        • Hi Norman. If you check the Just Park or Your Parking Space websites, you can also search for parking by hour. I hope that helps. Jenni

  11. Hello, we (2 adults, 2 children) are going on an MSC cruise in October and P&O at Easter 2023. My dad will be giving us a lift there and back. Where will he be able to drop us off and collect us?

    Thanks

    • Yes, there is a drop-off area at the port.

      • Thank you

  12. Have you any thoughts on Cruiseazure Parking. Thanks

    • Hi Peter, it’s not one that I’m familiar with. Jenni

    • Hi
      We used them in Oct this year they are right next to CPS and excellent service. We now receive 20% Discount everytime we park if it is within a year. Prices similar to CPS but with the discount they work out cheaper. We’ll organised and good communication prior to cruise

  13. Hi, I found you site very helpful as it identified Portside & Meet & Greet ar a nice discounted price for August parking however I was unable to complete the booking as it required Flight details. Any idea why this is? Thanks, Mike

    • Hi Mike, I’m not sure, sorry. I suggest giving them a call to ask. Jenni

  14. Hi, we just parked at the multistorey next to premier inn and it was £5 for 24 hrs & £6 taxi to the ocean terminal, so easy & highly recommended

    • Great tip, thanks! Do they let you park there all week? And do you need to stay in the hotel at all? Thanks. Jenni

      • No you don’t need to be staying in the Premier Inn as it isn’t there car park. I emailed them and asked if you can leave your car for 14 days and they confirmed you could. Used it for 14 night cruise 2 weeks ago cost £70 as opposed to £160 with CPS. Will do this for our next cruise this month too. Ordered taxi to pick us up outside Premier Inn and got taxi on disembarkation back to Premier Inn. No queues so very easy.

    • Hi Kelly
      Can you prepare book the multi storey or just turn up?
      Did you have any problems? I’m looking at doing this car park for 2 cruises this year and it seems great.
      😊 thanks

  15. Why is the car park so far away, there’s definitely a lack of parking facility here

  16. After giving your car keys to who parks your car do you have car key handed back or does the parking company keep car key and given on return

    • Usually, with valet parking, they will keep the keys for you while you’re away.

  17. So helpful!!! Thank you.
    We have a Cunard Cruise and I found this so informative – I have booked the parking with CPS via the link provided. We go out of Mayflower and back into Ocean terminal, so thought the Cunard specialist – who have the cruise details and great reviews – would be best, not a bad price either (actually cheaper than some of the off-site places) Thanks again!

    • You’re very welcome. Happy to be able to help. Jenni

  18. We have booked our parking with our cruise line (P and O). But we don’t actually know yet which car park we have to arrange our parking with. We don’t sail until September 2022 on the Ventura. We have to ring the number they have given us to arrange to park our car. Would you know which car park that’s likely to been in? Thank you

    • Hi Silvana. I believe that your parking will be with Cruise & Passenger Services (CPS). They offer valet parking so you’ll leave your car by the ship and it will be parked in a secure car park for you. Jenni

  19. Great little list but you appear to have selected only Ocean Terminal. There are at the moment 3 others, and rumors of a fifth soon. City Terminal is used for mostly by RCL and NCL. Mayflower Terminal by whoever requires usually P&O and Cunard. Queen Elizabeth Terminal is used by Princess , P&O and Cunard. ABParking mostly cover City
    Terminal. Also you have made typo in CPS’s bit you have called them Cruiser nout Cruise in the body of the text.
    I do know a little about this as I work, part time, for CPS as one of the Drivers/marshals that meet and greet the passengers at OT, QE2 and Mayflower

    • Thanks, Iain, I really appreciate your help and expertise. This has been quite a tricky subject to research, so I believe I can add a helpful resource here, especially with the help of local people like yourself. I have on-site parking options listed for Ocean and City Terminals. I can’t find any on-site options for the other two though – the resources I’ve found all seem to suggest a shuttle. Are you able to share any info about whether on-site long stay parking is an option for those? Thanks. Jenni. P.S. Well spotted with the typo, I have corrected that.

  20. I’ve used Parking4cruises on a couple of occasions and always found them 100% reliable. They are easily located once you arrive at the terminal and are always ready and waiting when we disembark. I’ve never really worried about handing over our car keys and I know that they have a secure car park off site.

    They are also reasonably priced and if you’re a past customer and ask, they’ll give you a small discount. Highly recommended!

    • Hi Debbie, we are frantically trying to get in touch with Parking4Cruises to arrange our car parking at Southampton ( have a few questions for them first) CANNOT under any circumstances get to speak with anyone.

  21. Closest parking for Ocean Terminal in vehicle 5.4 long.

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