By train, Southampton Central is served by frequent direct services from London Waterloo (around 75 minutes), Bournemouth (40 minutes), Portsmouth (50 minutes), and Reading (around 90 minutes). The CrossCountry network connects northwards to Birmingham, Manchester, and the north-east.
By plane, Southampton Airport (SOU) at Eastleigh is a small regional airport with flights to a few European and UK destinations. The train station is at the door — five minutes to Southampton Central. Most international visitors use London Heathrow (75 minutes by direct National Express coach) or Gatwick (about two hours).
By car, Southampton sits at the south end of the M3 from London and at the southern terminus of the M27 east-west route. Parking in the centre is mostly in multi-storey car parks; the city centre is partly pedestrianised.
Cruise passengers disembark at one of the Mayflower, Queen Elizabeth II, Ocean, Horizon, or City cruise terminals. Most have a shuttle bus into the centre or to the train station.