Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 5/18/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I'm looking for a reasonable priced way from our 1-nite hotel in Dover to our 2-nite hotel in Southampton. Train or bus. We(self & husband)are about 3km from our next cruse port. We have a 3-day lay-over between ships. Also, would like to know which city is better for us to do a day trip to London? Details would be very much appreciated. We won't have alot of luggage (2 or 3 wheely) cases and we are use to long walks. Thank you!

ANSWER: By train from Dover to Southampton takes you via London, where you change trains - there are trains about every half hour and the total journey time is about 4 hours.

It may make sense, therefore, to book an overnight stay in in London (try http://base2stay.com) and have part of 2 days there, perhaps?

Let me know your thoughts - and what time you are likely to arrive in Dover and I'll happily make you a fuller itinerary.

I'll also look at any coach connections, in case you do want to go direct form Dover to Southampton.

Alun


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the info.
We already are booked all 3 nites,1-Dover,2-Southampton. Therefore I'll need a connection direct to Southampton, so I guess it will have to be by bus/coach. I would appreciate that schedule information.  We arrive in Dover Thursday Aug 25th in the a.m. (have been in Dover one time for a day during a 2009 cruise) and then we go to Southampton on the 26th & 27th. So we hope to take a 2hr train into London for a day trip on one of the 2 days in Southampton. Our ship leaves Sunday 28th.

ANSWER: I'm afraid that there is no direct coach - you would have to take a coach to London, then change to another coach for Southampton - a total journey time of around 6 hours.

The quickest is the 0920 form Dover, changing in London, arriving Southampton, if the traffic is OK, at 1445. Other coaches are approx every 1 to 2 hours.

It might be worth considering leaving Dover on an early coach, leaving your luggage at London Victoria Coach Station, and spend the day in London, leaving on a later coach (or better still, do the whole journey by train, again spending the day in London - the trains are quicker and more reliable, as London's traffic can be very busy).

This way, you can have a rest from a long day on the Saturday - Southampton has some beautiful parks and waterfronts.

Take a London Sightseeing bus (combined with a boat on the River Thames and a trip on the London Eye) and you'll have a great day, a full overview of London's sights-  and not spend a fortune. An inclusive ticket for under £40 is available.

Let me know where I can help further, please!

Alun Hill, MCIJ







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mr Hill,  Sorry to be so late getting back to you. I really appreciate your help. I believe I saw a comment somewhere that the train required many transfers to destination and bus was direct. Is that true or is there one direct train with no transfers? I had tried to look-up a schedule for August but it would not do that far ahead in time. I also noticed PEAK TIMES are always on Friday & Sat. However, peak time is 4 days over that time we are there 8/26 thru 8/29Monday. Is that a special event or holiday weekend for UK?

Answer
Hi.

There is no direct bus route between the 2 (as there are no direct roads between them) and the train is only one change, at London's Waterloo Station (it *is* possible to do the rail journey not via London, but it takes 3 or 4 changes - not good!).

I'm not sure what you're referring to as to "peak times", sorry, although the Monday 29th is a holiday - however, trains still run a good service every day (but you did say you were leaving on the Sunday, 28th).

Do check the details and come back to me, please - not a problem, I promise!

Alun