Southampton has its own airport, but for many holiday destinations and long-haul flights, Gatwick is the airport of choice. A Southampton to Gatwick airport taxi takes you door to terminal in around an hour and a half, without the change of train and the luggage shuffle. It’s just as popular in reverse with cruise passengers flying into Gatwick at the end of a sailing from Southampton’s docks.
Southampton to Gatwick taxi prices
Fares are per vehicle and fixed at booking:
| Vehicle | Passengers | Suitcases | One way | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 4 | 2 | £135 | £264 |
| Estate | 4 | 4 | £150 | £292 |
| Executive | 3 | 3 | £191 | £370 |
| MPV 6 Seater | 6 | 4 | £191 | £370 |
| MPV 8 Seater | 8 | 8 | £230 | £444 |
| Executive MPV | 7 | 7 | £276 | £532 |
| First Class | 3 | 2 | £301 | £579 |
Return prices include the £7 parking charge for meet and greet at Gatwick. From Eastleigh, Hedge End, Totton or Romsey the price may vary slightly – use the quote form for your exact fare.
Which way does the driver go?
There are two main routes from Southampton to Gatwick, and your driver will pick the better one on the day:
- Coast road – the M27 and A27 east past Portsmouth, Chichester and Arundel, then the A24 or A23 north to Gatwick. Around 78 miles.
- Motorway – the M3 north to the M25, then round to the M23. Slightly longer, but often steadier at peak times.
Either way, the journey is typically 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. The A27 can be slow through Chichester and Worthing in summer, and the M25 is busiest on Friday afternoons – we’ll suggest a pickup time that allows for this.
Taxi vs train from Southampton to Gatwick
Trains between Southampton and Gatwick usually involve at least one change and take around two hours, and you’ll need to get to Southampton Central first. It’s workable for a solo traveller, but with suitcases and children it quickly becomes hard work. A pre-booked taxi collects you from home and drops you at the terminal door, and for two or more people it’s often surprisingly competitive on cost.
Cruise passengers: Gatwick and the docks
Many of our Southampton–Gatwick journeys involve a cruise. If you’re flying into Gatwick to join a ship, we’ll meet you in arrivals and take you straight to your cruise terminal – City, Mayflower, Horizon, Ocean or QEII. At the end of a cruise, we collect from the terminal and take you to Gatwick for your flight home. See our Southampton cruise terminal taxi page for more.
Gatwick to Southampton
For a Gatwick to Southampton taxi, your driver waits in the arrivals hall at North or South Terminal with a name board. We track your flight, so early or late landings are no problem, and you get 60 minutes of free waiting from touchdown. Book your return at the same time for 5% off.
Areas we cover
We collect from all of Southampton – the city centre, Shirley, Portswood, Bitterne, Woolston, Ocean Village and the university – and from Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End, West End, Totton, Romsey, the Waterside and the New Forest. Enter your postcode for a fixed price.
Choosing a vehicle
For two people with holiday luggage, an estate is often the best choice. Families and groups should book a 6 or 8-seat MPV. Cruise passengers with extra luggage should go one size up. See the fleet.
When to leave Southampton for Gatwick
Based on a typical journey of about an hour and a half plus a buffer, and the usual check-in advice:
| Flight departs | Leave by (short-haul) | Leave by (long-haul) |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 02:10 | 01:10 |
| 09:00 | 05:10 | 04:10 |
| 13:00 | 09:10 | 08:10 |
| 18:00 | 14:10 | 13:10 |
| 21:00 | 17:10 | 16:10 |
In summer, the A27 between Chichester and Worthing gets busy, and the M25 is slow on Friday afternoons – we’ll add time for either when you book.
Tips for the Southampton to Gatwick journey
Many of our Southampton passengers are either starting or finishing a cruise, so timings can be tight. If you’re coming off a ship in the morning and flying from Gatwick the same afternoon, allow at least five hours between your expected disembarkation and your flight – disembarkation can take longer than planned. For flights from Southampton itself, the airport is only 15 minutes from the city centre, but its route network is smaller, which is why so many people choose Gatwick or Heathrow instead.
Related routes
Southampton to Gatwick taxi FAQs
How much is a taxi from Southampton to Gatwick?
A saloon is £135 fixed, and an estate £150, per vehicle.
How long does it take from Southampton to Gatwick by taxi?
Usually 1h 25m to 1h 50m, depending on the route and traffic.
Can you take us from Gatwick to a Southampton cruise terminal?
Yes – we track your flight and go straight to your terminal.
Is there a direct train from Southampton to Gatwick?
Most journeys involve at least one change and take around two hours.
Do you cover Eastleigh and the New Forest?
Yes – all of Southampton and the surrounding area.
Can you collect us from our cruise ship and take us to Gatwick?
Yes – book with your ship and disembarkation date, and allow at least five hours before your flight.
Do you go to Heathrow from Southampton too?
Yes – see our Southampton to Heathrow taxi page, around 1h 15m via the M3.