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The following top travel tips will help Southampton Airport passengers. This comprehensive guide offers invaluable unofficial information on getting to Southampton, airport parking at Southampton and travelling with children, disabilities or special needs. |
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Take this advice on pre-flight travel to make sure you get the very best from your flight - from start to finish. Whether it's help with airport parking at Southampton or travelling with children, disabilities or special needs or simply (and importantly) staying comfortable during your flight, it's all here for you!
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Getting to Southampton ... |
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Getting to Southampton Airport is simple - the airport is located 5 miles North of the city. It is accessible by road, rail, taxi and bus from the city and surrounding area and well sign posted.
Full unofficial information on ‘Getting to the Airport’ can be found in this Information Guide if travelling by:
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Southampton Airport Parking ... |
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Passengers can choose from a range of parking options at Southampton Airport. You can decide based on budget, length of stay and the level of service required.
The short stay car park is recommended for short duration trips or if collecting or dropping off passengers.
For those travellers away for more than a few days choose from two different long stay parking options:
Firstly long stay parking is available, that means a catching a transfer bus to the airport Terminal.
Or secondly, choose from Valet meet and greet parking. This means passengers drive straight to the airport Terminal where the car is collected by the Meet & Greet Rep and taken to a safe car park, leaving passengers to proceed directly to check-in.
Ideal for business and corporate travellers, valet meet and greet provides the ultimate hassle free start - and finish - to a business trip.
The service is hugely convenient for families with young children, people with heavy sports equipment and bags and people with disabilities.
Passengers can expect to pay around £83 for one week and £118 for two weeks, depending on the operator you choose.
Pre-booking valet parking is advised to ensure availability. |
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| Lastly, there is a Fast Track parking option that provides a quick link into the terminal. Prices start from £11.00 for 24 hours or part thereof. |
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Upon arriving at Southampton Airport it is best to proceed directly to check-in for your flight. This leaves you to confirm your seats, unload your main luggage, leaving you free to enjoy the airport's facilities.
With security having increased considerably it's little wonder that so has the length of time that it takes to check-in.
It is suggested you adhere to the following check-in times:
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Type Of Flight |
Check In Time |
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Long Haul Flights |
3 HOURS before departure |
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European Flights |
2 HOURS before departure |
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UK & Northern Ireland Flights |
1 HOUR before departure |
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Both before (with main luggage) and after (with hand luggage) check-in that you keep your luggage with you at all times and do not let anyone interfere with it. That includes someone offering to look after it, adding something to it, a passenger asking you to carry something in your case for them, or directly on to the aircraft.
You must alert a member of staff at the Airport if you notice any unattended packages or are approached by anyone asking the above mentioned things.
Once your flight has been confirmed by the airline a boarding gate will be allocated. You will need to check the display boards in the departure lounge to see what gate number you will be boarding from. Leave plenty of time to get to the gate as it can take up to 30 minutes to reach the distant Boarding Gates of larger International airports.
If you'd like more detailed unofficial information on airport security visit the Airport Safety and Security section within this Fly Guide. |
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Plane journeys are long and boring. So take some time to think about what you will need and what will make your flight more bearable and comfortable - use our helpful guide below.
Your hand luggage isn't just for passports, tickets and cash. It needs to contain everything you will need for your flight - how about medication, snacks, books, travel sickness pills, ear plugs and an eye mask?
Pack some snacks, even if you are having an in-flight meal during your journey. The meals can be small and whilst you can buy snacks on board the selection can be expensive and limited. This is particularly salient if you are travelling with children.
Many passengers find the cabin pressure and atmosphere causes swollen hands, feet and dry skin. Pack some moisturiser to help prevent dry skin. To avoid swelling, drink lots of water (pack your own) and avoid alcohol as it will make you dehydrated.
It's worth letting your feet breath for a bit too so remove your shoes.
By packing a warm jumper (that could double up as a pillow) means you won't get quite so cold.
If you are travelling long haul take note - Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that means blood clots can develop in the deep veins of the legs because passengers have little or no exercise.
Walk around on the flight, even if you aren't travelling long-haul. Stretch out your legs, wiggle your toes, clench your bottom to get blood circulating.
More advice can be found on DVT at the Department of Health website.- Click Here |
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Staying Comfortable When Flying |
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1. Upgrade |
It's always worth asking (if you look the part - no scruffy jeans) for an upgrade to Business or First Class. |
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2. Front Row Seats |
Always ask for a front row seat or a seat by an emergency exit for an extra bit of leg room. |
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3. Aisle Seats |
Aisle seats can provide extra leg room too. These seats also mean it's easier for you to get up and down to stretch your legs, and get out to the bathroom. |
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4. Pillow |
Ask the cabin crew for a pillow and a blanket to help you sleep. And think about packing some ear plugs to shut out some of the onboard noises, so you can get to sleep easier and also an eye mask to make it nice and dark. |
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5. Painful Ears |
Earplanes, and other such brands, help if you suffer from painful ears during take off or landing. These equalise air pressure on each side of the ear drum. They are also worth buying if you are travelling with a cold. |
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6. Dehydration |
Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water as flying can cause dehydration which can cause swollen hands and feet. |
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7. Snacks |
On-board meals can be small so pack some snacks for you and your party. |
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8. Anxiety |
Think about learning some breathing exercises if you suffer from flight anxiety. Also take some activities like crosswords or a book that you can concentrate on and reduce your stress levels. Alternatively talk to your Doctor to see if there is anything they recommend to help you during your flight. |
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Travelling With Young Children ... |
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Make sure you have packed plenty of things to keep your children amused during your flight - and this way you'll have an enjoyable flight too.
Pack colouring books and crayons, story books, games you can play together like Connect 4 or Snakes & Ladders for example.
Some Airlines will give children an activity pack with games to play and pictures to colour in but they don't usual hold the child’s attention for a long period of time so do pack extra yourself.
If travelling with a small baby think carefully about what you need in your hand luggage. Plenty of milk and food, allowing extras for any delays. Think about finger foods, plenty of spare nappies, warm clothes as the cabin gets cold and even a blanket from home to help them sleep, plus their favourite comforters or toys. |
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If Travelling With Disabilities / Special Needs ... |
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Passengers with disabilities are advised to check that any special assistance required is included in the price of the ticket before booking, although nowadays it mostly is and airlines are well equipped to assist passengers travelling with disabilities or special needs. .
If in a wheelchair you may be asked to transfer to an airline chair at check-in. Should you prefer to stay in your own wheelchair until boarding ask the airline in advance of travel.
Pre-book a special assistance vehicle, helpful for getting to distant boarding gates in large airports and avoiding any delays. |
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