Southampton cruise parking comes down to four main choices: the official car parks inside the port (run by CPS or ABParking, depending on your cruise line), meet and greet valet services, park and ride or park and walk car parks just outside the docks, and cheaper city-centre multi-storeys or private driveways. Official parking is the most convenient but usually the most expensive, while off-site options can save a meaningful amount if you are happy with a short transfer or walk.
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This guide explains which option suits which passenger, how the five Southampton cruise terminals fit in, and what to check before you book for 2026 and 2027 sailings.
Southampton cruise parking at a glance
Prices change with the length of your cruise, the time of year and how far ahead you book, so treat the figures below as a rough guide only and always get a live quote.
| Option | Best for | Distance / transfer | Typical cost guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official port parking (CPS valet or ABParking) | Maximum convenience, limited mobility, peace of mind | Inside the port, next to or very close to your terminal | Usually the highest; can run well into three figures for a week in peak season |
| Meet and greet (e.g. Portside) | Dropping the car near the terminal without paying official rates | Car handed over near the terminal, then driven to an off-site compound | Mid-range; listed from around £15 a day on some January 2027 dates |
| Park and walk (e.g. Triangle) | Ocean Terminal passengers who are happy to wheel luggage a short way | A few minutes’ walk to Ocean Terminal; transfer available for other terminals | Mid-range; eight-day stays listed from around £70 |
| Park and ride (e.g. Airlynx, Cruise Parking) | Saving money while keeping a door-to-terminal transfer | Secure compound a short minibus ride from the docks | Often cheaper than official; eight-day stays listed from around £60 |
| Council multi-storeys | Budget travellers who travel light | City centre; taxi or a 20-30 minute walk | Around £39-£41 for seven days at current council rates |
| Private driveways (JustPark, YourParkingSpace) | Lowest cost on longer cruises | Varies by driveway; check the walk or taxi distance | Often among the cheapest; varies widely |
| Hotel stay and park | Arriving the night before | Usually a short taxi or shuttle | Room rate plus parking fee; packages vary |
Which Southampton cruise terminal are you sailing from?
Before booking anything, check your ticket or cruise documents for your terminal. Southampton has five cruise terminals split between the Eastern and Western Docks, and they are far enough apart that the wrong one can cost you time. Allocations are decided by the port and can change at short notice, so the table below shows typical use only.
| Terminal | Dock and access | Postcode | Cruise lines that typically use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal (berths 38/39) | Eastern Docks, Dock Gate 4 | SO14 3GG | Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess and occasional visits from other lines |
| Ocean Cruise Terminal (berth 46) | Eastern Docks, Dock Gate 4 | SO14 3QN | P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess |
| City Cruise Terminal (berth 101) | Western Docks, Dock Gate 8 or 10 | SO15 1HJ | Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and other international lines |
| Horizon Cruise Terminal (berth 102) | Western Docks, Dock Gate 10 | SO15 1AW | MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and others |
| Mayflower Cruise Terminal (berth 106) | Western Docks, Dock Gate 10 | SO15 1HJ | P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess and others |
Ships occasionally return to a different terminal from the one they left. The official operators can usually move your car if this happens, but it is worth knowing if you choose a park and walk option.
Official Southampton cruise terminal parking
Parking inside the port is split between two operators, and which one you use depends on your cruise line rather than your terminal.
CPS valet parking for P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess
Cruise and Passenger Services (CPS) handles port parking for the Carnival UK brands. Cunard describes it as the sole authorised parking provision within the Southampton port estate for its guests. It is a valet service: you drive into a vehicle lane at the terminal, hand over your keys, receive a barcoded receipt and a CPS driver takes your car to a secure compound nearby. On your return you collect the keys and are taken to the car.
Key points for 2026-27:
- Bookings open 72 hours after you book your cruise and must be made at least 35 days before departure (per P&O Cruises and Cunard).
- Some fares include parking, such as P&O Cruises Select Price benefits and the Cunard Fare, but spaces are not guaranteed, so book early.
- Towing or large vehicles may need two spaces and attract extra charges.
ABParking for most other cruise lines
ABParking is run by Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns the port. It serves lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Norwegian, Fred. Olsen, Saga, Oceania, Disney and Marella, mainly from long-stay car parks in the Western Docks next to the City, Horizon and Mayflower terminals. This is self-park: staff usually direct you to a space, you keep your keys, and porters typically take your cases at the car. You book online by entering your departure date, cruise line and ship, which then shows the correct car park. Caravans and motorhomes are not accepted, and booking the wrong car park can mean being turned away.
Both official options are Park Mark accredited with 24-hour security, which is a large part of what you are paying for.
Meet and greet cruise parking in Southampton
Meet and greet sits between official and off-site parking. You drive to your terminal, unload luggage and passengers, then hand your car to a driver, who takes it to a compound away from the port. On your return the car is brought back to the meeting point.
Portside Meet and Greet is one of the longer-running operators and is widely listed on comparison sites such as Holiday Extras. Its listing says cars are taken to a secured compound about eight miles away with CCTV and an on-site caretaker, and quotes prices from around £15 a day on sample dates in January 2027. Comparison sites also list a version with electric vehicle charging, so EV drivers should look for that product specifically.
Before booking any meet and greet service, check reviews, the insurance cover, where the car is stored, the hand-over hours and what happens if your ship is delayed.
Park and ride and park and walk options
These car parks sit just outside the docks and are usually cheaper than official parking. You keep more control, and some let you keep your keys.
- Triangle Parking: close to Ocean Terminal, with a short walk from there and transfers to other terminals. Comparison sites list a “keep your keys” option, with eight-day stays from around £69-£79 depending on the product.
- Airlynx: a secure car park at Britannia Wharf, under five minutes’ drive from the terminals. Minibuses take you and your luggage to the terminal door, and you leave your keys at reception.
- Cruise Parking park and ride: listed on comparison sites with a roughly 20-minute transfer and eight-day stays from around £62.
Comparison sites such as Holiday Extras, APH and Airparks list several of these side by side, which makes it easy to check live prices for your dates.
Cheap cruise parking in Southampton
If budget matters most, two options stand out.
Council multi-storey car parks
Southampton City Council runs barrier-controlled multi-storeys that accept cruise passengers without pre-booking. Current council rates are £9-£11 for the first 24 hours and £5 for each extra day, which works out at about £39-£41 for seven days. Car parks include Eastgate Street (SO14 3HH), Bedford Place (SO15 2TZ) and Grosvenor Square (SO15 2BE). Factor in a taxi each way, as the walk to the terminals is long with suitcases.
Private driveways and spaces
Apps such as JustPark and YourParkingSpace list private driveways and spaces around the port, some within walking distance of the Western Docks. Prices vary widely and can be among the lowest available. Check the exact location, whether the space is gated or overlooked, and the host’s cancellation terms.
Hotels with cruise parking
Many Southampton hotels offer a stay, park and cruise package, which can make sense if you have a long drive or an early boarding slot. Parking is usually charged per night of the cruise on top of the room rate, and you normally take a taxi or shuttle to the terminal. For specific properties and how their packages compare, see this guide to the best Southampton hotels with cruise parking.
Blue Badge and accessible parking
There is no free Blue Badge parking at Southampton’s cruise terminals. Cunard notes that CPS does not offer complimentary parking for Blue Badge holders and that there are no accessibility bays inside the terminal buildings. Instead, passengers with accessibility needs use a dedicated mobility lane for check-in and help with luggage, and mobility assistance is available inside the terminal. ABParking customers can book a disabled bay when booking, which helps if you are taking a mobility scooter. Valet or official parking is generally the easiest choice for anyone who cannot walk far.
EV charging
EV charging is limited and not something to assume. Neither CPS nor ABParking clearly advertises charging for cruise passengers, so ask before booking. Some meet and greet operators sell an EV charging product on comparison sites, and some hotels have chargers. If your car will sit for two weeks, also check whether the operator is happy to leave it plugged in.
How to book Southampton cruise parking
- Confirm your terminal and cruise line from your booking documents.
- Check whether your fare includes parking (for example some P&O Cruises and Cunard fares).
- Compare the official option (CPS or ABParking) with off-site quotes for your exact dates.
- Book early, particularly for summer and Christmas sailings, as official car parks can sell out. CPS bookings close 35 days before departure.
- Print or save your confirmation and note the operator’s phone number for the return day.
If you are still choosing a sailing, popular round trips from Southampton include Norwegian fjords cruises from the UK, and it is worth factoring parking into the total when comparing cruise deals for 2027.
Cruise parking checklist
- Terminal name, dock gate and postcode saved in your sat nav
- Parking confirmation printed or on your phone
- Vehicle registration matches the booking
- Valuables and garage remotes removed from the car
- Photo of the car’s condition and mileage before handover
- Know whether you keep your keys or hand them over
- Operator’s phone number for the return trip
- Plan for a different return terminal or a late disembarkation
If you are planning a long weekend at sea, our guide to the best short cruises from Southampton compares lively two- to four-night sailings for 2026-27.
FAQs
How much does it cost to park at Southampton cruise port?
It depends on the operator, the length of your cruise and the season. Council multi-storeys cost about £39-£41 for a week, off-site park and ride options are often listed from around £60-£80 for eight days, and official port parking is usually the most expensive. Always get a live quote.
Can you park at Southampton cruise terminal?
Yes. P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess passengers use CPS valet parking, while most other lines use ABParking, run by Associated British Ports. You must pre-book with the operator that serves your cruise line.
Is meet and greet parking safe in Southampton?
Established operators use secure compounds with CCTV and fencing, and many are listed on major comparison sites. Check reviews, insurance and where the car is stored before booking.
What is the cheapest cruise parking in Southampton?
Private driveways booked through apps such as JustPark or YourParkingSpace, and the council multi-storeys at around £5 per extra day, are usually the cheapest. Remember to add taxi costs to reach the terminal.
When should I book Southampton cruise parking?
As early as possible. CPS bookings for P&O Cruises and Cunard open 72 hours after booking your cruise and close 35 days before departure, and peak sailings can sell out.
