Visas

You may need a student visa to study in Britain. You can check if you need a visa at the British Visa website.

 

 

Planning your journey to Southampton

It is very easy to reach Southampton.  Read our guide to choose the best way for you to travel here.

 

If you fly to Britain, you will probably arrive at Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport or Stansted Airport.  These are all a short distance from London. Southampton Airport also offers flights from many European cities. All of these airports have bus and train links to Southampton city centre.

Southampton has excellent public transport links to London and many other UK cities. Visit the UK websites for coach and train information. If you are travelling from the centre of London, click here. You can also travel from Europe to the UK by train if you take the Eurostar, or by coach with Eurolines.

See our map if you are travelling by car.

The nearest international ferry port is Portsmouth.  Visit the UK ferry information website by clicking here.

The Lewis School can arrange a taxi to collect you from Heathrow (£90), Gatwick (£95), Stansted (£155) or Central London (£135).

 

IMPORTANT: NEVER TAKE A BLACK LONDON TAXI ALL THE WAY TO SOUTHAMPTON. THE COST COULD BE UP TO £200.

 

Insurance

You are advised to take out a comprehensive medical, travel and personal insurance before travelling to the UK. The Lewis School can arrange this for you.

Cost:  £10 per week / £30 per month

Click here for more information.

 

 

Before you arrive

Please contact your host family to tell them when you expect to arrive in Southampton.  Normally, they will come to the bus or train station to meet you.  If this is not possible, take a taxi to your homestay address.  The price should be no more than £12.

 

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By plane

Which airport are you flying to?

► London Heathrow

► London Gatwick

► London Stansted

► Southampton Airport

 

By coach

► National Express website

► Eurolines website

 

By train

► From Europe (Eurostar website)

► UK train information website

 

By car

► Road map and city centre map

 

By taxi

► Service arranged by Lewis School

 

 

 

 

 

From Heathrow Airport to Southampton

► Heathrow website

 

 

 

 
1. By Train
  • Take the Rail-Air Link coach to Woking or Reading and then a direct train to Southampton Central Station.
  • Time: 2 hours
  • Cost: £27 single
  • Please note - all times and prices are approximate and subject to change.

► UK train information website
2. By Coach

  • Take a National Express coach direct to Southampton.

  • Time: 2 hours

  • Cost: £14

  • Please note - all times and prices are approximate and subject to change.

► National Express website
3.  By Taxi
  • The school can arrange for you to be picked up by taxi from the airport.
  • Time: 1 hour
  • Cost: £90 each way

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From Gatwick Airport to Southampton

► Gatwick website

 

 

 

1. By Train

 

  • Take the train direct to Southampton Central.

  • Time: 2 hours

  • Cost: £24 single

  • Please note - all times and prices are approximate and subject to change.

► UK train information website
2. By Taxi

  • The school can arrange for you to be picked up by taxi from the airport.
  • Time: 1½ hours
  • Cost: £95 each way

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From Stansted Airport to Southampton

► Stansted website

 

 

1. By Train

 

  • Take the train to London (Liverpool Street Station)

  • Take the underground from Liverpool Street to Waterloo.

  • Take the train from London Waterloo to Southampton Central.

  • Time: 3 hours

  • Cost: £41 single

  • Please note - all times and prices are approximate and subject to change.   

► UK train information website
2. By Coach

  • Take a National Express coach to Southampton (not direct).

  • Time: 4 hours

  • Cost: £26 single

  • Please note - all times and prices are approximate and subject to change. 

► National Express website
3. By Taxi
  • The school can arrange for you to be picked up by taxi from the airport.
  • Time: 2½ hours
  • Cost: £155 each way

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From Central London to Southampton

1. By Train
  • Take the train direct from London Waterloo to Southampton Central.
  • Time: 1¼ hours
  • Cost: £29 single
  • Please note - all times and prices are approximate and subject to change. 

► UK train information website
2. By Coach

  • Take a National Express coach direct from Victoria Coach Station to Southampton

  • Time: 2 hours

  • Cost: £14 single

  • Please note - all times and prices are approximate and subject to change. 

► National Express website
3. By Taxi
  • The school can arrange for you to be picked up by taxi.
  • Time: 2 hours
  • Cost: £135 each way

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Fly direct to Southampton Airport

 

 

 
There are flights from many European cities. Long-haul flights from Asia or South America via Amsterdam or Brussels can make direct connections to Southampton instead of London. Visit the websites on the right for further information.

 

► Southampton Airport website

► Flybe website
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