Private Hire Southampton: Licensed, Pre‑Booked Cars for Airports, Cruise & City Travel

Private Hire Southampton: Licensed, Pre‑Booked Cars for Airports, Cruise & City Travel

Posted: 10/11/2025

If you’ve searched for “private hire Southampton”, you’ll have noticed two types of results: traditional taxi/minicab companies and more premium services that must be pre‑booked. Plus Chauffeurs is a licensed, insured private hire and chauffeur operator based in Southampton, providing reliable door‑to‑door travel for airports, cruise terminals, hotel pickups, events and business travel. Whether you’re a solo traveller heading to Heathrow, a family of five sailing from the Ocean Cruise Terminal, or a team moving between meetings, we make your journey smooth, on‑time and stress‑free.

Private hire is different from a taxi rank pick‑up: our cars are pre‑booked and planned around your itinerary. That lets us allocate the right vehicle (saloon, estate, luxury EV or 6–8‑seat MPV), factor in luggage, mobility needs and route conditions, and provide clear pricing before you travel. It’s a better fit for airport runs, cruise embarkation days, corporate schedules and special occasions—when timing and comfort really matter.

This guide explains what private hire means in Southampton, when to choose it over a standard cab, and how we cover the most‑requested routes to Heathrow, Gatwick, Farnborough and London—as well as Southampton and Portsmouth cruise terminals. You’ll also find answers to common questions about child seats, meet‑and‑greet, waiting time and multi‑stop itineraries. If you’re ready to book, head straight to Bookings or Contact Us; if you’re still planning, use this page to compare vehicle options on Our Vehicles and decide what’s best for your party and luggage.

What does “private hire” mean in Southampton?

In simple terms: private hire vehicles must be pre‑booked and cannot be hailed on the street or picked up from a taxi rank. That pre‑booking model is ideal for airport transfers, cruise travel days, business itineraries, weddings and events—where you want to secure a specific pick‑up time, a suitable vehicle, and a professional driver who’s fully licensed and insured.

Private hire vs taxis at a glance

  • Booking: Private hire is pre‑booked; taxis can be hailed at ranks or on the street.

  • Vehicle matching: Private hire can allocate saloons, estates, EVs or MPVs (6–8 seats) to fit people and luggage.

  • Price clarity: Quotes agreed in advance; note that airports may add parking and drop‑off charges (major UK airports now charge up to £7 for drop‑off).

  • Use cases: Transfers to Heathrow/Gatwick, cruise terminals, corporate schedules, events and long‑distance city‑to‑city trips.

When should I choose private hire?

  • Airport Transfers: Meet‑and‑greet, flight tracking and timed collections. Perfect for Heathrow, Gatwick and Farnborough. See Airport Transfers.

  • Cruise Port Travel: Fixed‑time collections to/from Southampton and Portsmouth cruise terminals with space for people and cases. See Cruise Port Travel.

  • Business Travel: Multiple stops, flexible waiting, and smooth working time in the back seat. See Business Travel.

  • Leisure & Events: Theatre nights, sporting fixtures, weddings and celebrations with pre‑arranged returns.

Vehicles & capacity

We operate a range of vehicles to suit individuals up to groups of eight, including executive saloons and luxury MPVs with generous luggage space. Explore Our Vehicles to compare options. For 5–8 passengers or bulky luggage, our MPVs are usually the best choice.

Good to know: Due to licensing rules, we can provide booster seats only for children; please bring infant or child seats if required.

Popular Southampton routes (examples)

  • Southampton → Heathrow (all terminals): early‑morning departures and late‑night returns covered.

  • Southampton → Gatwick (North/South): comfortable, pre‑booked travel with timed drop‑offs.

  • Southampton → London (city & hotels): door‑to‑door with waiting time for meetings or sightseeing.

  • Southampton/Portsmouth cruise terminals: embarkation day and disembarkation collections, including multi‑stop drop‑offs for families and groups.

If you’re travelling with 6–8 passengers, ask for an MPV. For 1–3 passengers with two or three suitcases, a saloon or estate is often ideal. Compare options on Our Vehicles and request your quote via Bookings.

How pricing works (and airport charges)

We’ll agree your fare in advance based on distance, vehicle type and timing. Airport drop‑off charges—now up to £7 at major UK airports—are applied by the airport; we’ll include or itemise them clearly on your confirmation alongside any parking/waiting where applicable. For returns, we factor in flight tracking so your driver is there when you need them.

How to book

  • Use Bookings to request a quote or confirm your journey details.

  • New customers can Register for faster repeat bookings and access to journey history.

  • Existing customers can Login to view and manage upcoming trips.

  • Prefer to speak to someone? See Contact Us and we’ll help you choose the right vehicle and timing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Plus Chauffeurs is a regulated private hire/chauffeur operator. All vehicles and drivers meet licensing and insurance requirements.

Do you cover 6–8 passengers?
Yes—our MPVs comfortably handle groups with luggage. See Our Vehicles.

Can you provide child seats?
We can supply booster seats only (licensing restriction). Please bring infant/child seats for younger children and we’ll secure them safely.

Do you meet inside the terminal?
Yes. For Airport Transfers, we can provide meet‑and‑greet with a nameboard and assist with luggage and wayfinding.

What about waiting and parking?
Where waiting or parking applies (airports, cruise terminals, events), we’ll explain the charges in advance and itemise them on your confirmation.

Do you offer return journeys and multi‑stop routes?
Absolutely. Private hire is ideal for day‑plans, return transfers and itineraries with multiple drop‑offs.

Do you serve hotels and venues around Southampton?
Yes—city centre hotels (e.g., Harbour Hotel, Leonardo, Moxy), Ocean Village, St Mary’s, the Mayflower Theatre and more. Use Contact Us for timings.

Do you provide corporate accounts?
We support business travel with scheduled collections, day‑hire and consolidated invoicing. See Business Travel.

How far in advance should I book?
As early as you can—especially for cruise embarkation days, major events and early‑morning flights.

Fact of the Day

The UK’s private hire framework requires all journeys to be pre‑booked through a licensed operator—one reason airport and cruise transfers run more smoothly with private hire than with ad‑hoc pickups.

Local Relevance

Southampton is uniquely placed for private hire: a major cruise gateway with Ocean and Mayflower terminals, close to Heathrow, Gatwick and Farnborough, and surrounded by visitor favourites like the New Forest, Winchester and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. For cruise sailings, theatre trips, match days at St Mary’s, or airport connections, pre‑booking ensures the right vehicle, luggage space and timings.

Book Your Chauffeur Service Today

Whether you’re a regular client or planning your first journey, Plus Chauffeurs is here to provide luxury transport solutions that match your expectations — both on the road and online.

Book your next chauffeur‑driven journey today!

Call us at +44(0)3333444018, visit www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk, or email enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk to make your reservation.

Internal linking suggestions (apply these exact anchor phrases)

  • Link the first suitable instance of Chauffeur Services to the services overview.

  • Link Airport Transfers, Cruise Port Travel, Business Travel, Leisure Travel, Event Travel, Wedding Chauffeur where referenced.

  • Link Our Vehicles wherever readers compare vehicle options.

  • Link Bookings, Register, Login within the “How to book” section.

  • Link Contact Us where readers may need bespoke timings or routes.

Image alt text recommendation

“Private hire car in Southampton for airport and cruise transfers – Plus Chauffeurs.”

 

What does “private hire” mean in Southampton?

In simple terms: private hire vehicles must be pre‑booked and cannot be hailed on the street or picked up from a taxi rank. That pre‑booking model is ideal for airport transfers, cruise travel days, business itineraries, weddings and events—where you want to secure a specific pick‑up time, a suitable vehicle, and a professional driver who’s fully licensed and insured.

Private hire vs taxis at a glance

  • Booking: Private hire is pre‑booked; taxis can be hailed at ranks or on the street.

  • Vehicle matching: Private hire can allocate saloons, estates, EVs or MPVs (6–8 seats) to fit people and luggage.

  • Price clarity: Quotes agreed in advance; note that airports may add parking and drop‑off charges (major UK airports now charge up to £7 for drop‑off).

  • Use cases: Transfers to Heathrow/Gatwick, cruise terminals, corporate schedules, events and long‑distance city‑to‑city trips.

When should I choose private hire?

  • Airport Transfers: Meet‑and‑greet, flight tracking and timed collections. Perfect for Heathrow, Gatwick and Farnborough. See Airport Transfers.

  • Cruise Port Travel: Fixed‑time collections to/from Southampton and Portsmouth cruise terminals with space for people and cases. See Cruise Port Travel.

  • Business Travel: Multiple stops, flexible waiting, and smooth working time in the back seat. See Business Travel.

  • Leisure & Events: Theatre nights, sporting fixtures, weddings and celebrations with pre‑arranged returns.

Vehicles & capacity

We operate a range of vehicles to suit individuals up to groups of eight, including executive saloons and luxury MPVs with generous luggage space. Explore Our Vehicles to compare options. For 5–8 passengers or bulky luggage, our MPVs are usually the best choice.

Good to know: Due to licensing rules, we can provide booster seats only for children; please bring infant or child seats if required.

Popular Southampton routes (examples)

  • Southampton → Heathrow (all terminals): early‑morning departures and late‑night returns covered.

  • Southampton → Gatwick (North/South): comfortable, pre‑booked travel with timed drop‑offs.

  • Southampton → London (city & hotels): door‑to‑door with waiting time for meetings or sightseeing.

  • Southampton/Portsmouth cruise terminals: embarkation day and disembarkation collections, including multi‑stop drop‑offs for families and groups.

If you’re travelling with 6–8 passengers, ask for an MPV. For 1–3 passengers with two or three suitcases, a saloon or estate is often ideal. Compare options on Our Vehicles and request your quote via Bookings.

How pricing works (and airport charges)

We’ll agree your fare in advance based on distance, vehicle type and timing. Airport drop‑off charges—now up to £7 at major UK airports—are applied by the airport; we’ll include or itemise them clearly on your confirmation alongside any parking/waiting where applicable. For returns, we factor in flight tracking so your driver is there when you need them.

How to book

  • Use Bookings to request a quote or confirm your journey details.

  • New customers can Register for faster repeat bookings and access to journey history.

  • Existing customers can Login to view and manage upcoming trips.

  • Prefer to speak to someone? See Contact Us and we’ll help you choose the right vehicle and timing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Plus Chauffeurs is a regulated private hire/chauffeur operator. All vehicles and drivers meet licensing and insurance requirements.

Do you cover 6–8 passengers?
Yes—our MPVs comfortably handle groups with luggage. See Our Vehicles.

Can you provide child seats?
We can supply booster seats only (licensing restriction). Please bring infant/child seats for younger children and we’ll secure them safely.

Do you meet inside the terminal?
Yes. For Airport Transfers, we can provide meet‑and‑greet with a nameboard and assist with luggage and wayfinding.

What about waiting and parking?
Where waiting or parking applies (airports, cruise terminals, events), we’ll explain the charges in advance and itemise them on your confirmation.

Do you offer return journeys and multi‑stop routes?
Absolutely. Private hire is ideal for day‑plans, return transfers and itineraries with multiple drop‑offs.

Do you serve hotels and venues around Southampton?
Yes—city centre hotels (e.g., Harbour Hotel, Leonardo, Moxy), Ocean Village, St Mary’s, the Mayflower Theatre and more. Use Contact Us for timings.

Do you provide corporate accounts?
We support business travel with scheduled collections, day‑hire and consolidated invoicing. See Business Travel.

How far in advance should I book?
As early as you can—especially for cruise embarkation days, major events and early‑morning flights.

Fact of the Day

The UK’s private hire framework requires all journeys to be pre‑booked through a licensed operator—one reason airport and cruise transfers run more smoothly with private hire than with ad‑hoc pickups.

Local Relevance

Southampton is uniquely placed for private hire: a major cruise gateway with Ocean and Mayflower terminals, close to Heathrow, Gatwick and Farnborough, and surrounded by visitor favourites like the New Forest, Winchester and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. For cruise sailings, theatre trips, match days at St Mary’s, or airport connections, pre‑booking ensures the right vehicle, luggage space and timings.

Book Your Chauffeur Service Today

Whether you’re a regular client or planning your first journey, Plus Chauffeurs is here to provide luxury transport solutions that match your expectations — both on the road and online.

Book your next chauffeur‑driven journey today!

Call us at +44(0)3333444018, visit www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk, or email enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk to make your reservation.

Internal linking suggestions (apply these exact anchor phrases)

  • Link the first suitable instance of Chauffeur Services to the services overview.

  • Link Airport Transfers, Cruise Port Travel, Business Travel, Leisure Travel, Event Travel, Wedding Chauffeur where referenced.

  • Link Our Vehicles wherever readers compare vehicle options.

  • Link Bookings, Register, Login within the “How to book” section.

  • Link Contact Us where readers may need bespoke timings or routes.

Image alt text recommendation

“Private hire car in Southampton for airport and cruise transfers – Plus Chauffeurs.”

 

What does “private hire” mean in Southampton?

In simple terms: private hire vehicles must be pre‑booked and cannot be hailed on the street or picked up from a taxi rank. That pre‑booking model is ideal for airport transfers, cruise travel days, business itineraries, weddings and events—where you want to secure a specific pick‑up time, a suitable vehicle, and a professional driver who’s fully licensed and insured.

Private hire vs taxis at a glance

  • Booking: Private hire is pre‑booked; taxis can be hailed at ranks or on the street.

  • Vehicle matching: Private hire can allocate saloons, estates, EVs or MPVs (6–8 seats) to fit people and luggage.

  • Price clarity: Quotes agreed in advance; note that airports may add parking and drop‑off charges (major UK airports now charge up to £7 for drop‑off).

  • Use cases: Transfers to Heathrow/Gatwick, cruise terminals, corporate schedules, events and long‑distance city‑to‑city trips.

When should I choose private hire?

  • Airport Transfers: Meet‑and‑greet, flight tracking and timed collections. Perfect for Heathrow, Gatwick and Farnborough. See Airport Transfers.

  • Cruise Port Travel: Fixed‑time collections to/from Southampton and Portsmouth cruise terminals with space for people and cases. See Cruise Port Travel.

  • Business Travel: Multiple stops, flexible waiting, and smooth working time in the back seat. See Business Travel.

  • Leisure & Events: Theatre nights, sporting fixtures, weddings and celebrations with pre‑arranged returns.

Vehicles & capacity

We operate a range of vehicles to suit individuals up to groups of eight, including executive saloons and luxury MPVs with generous luggage space. Explore Our Vehicles to compare options. For 5–8 passengers or bulky luggage, our MPVs are usually the best choice.

Good to know: Due to licensing rules, we can provide booster seats only for children; please bring infant or child seats if required.

Popular Southampton routes (examples)

  • Southampton → Heathrow (all terminals): early‑morning departures and late‑night returns covered.

  • Southampton → Gatwick (North/South): comfortable, pre‑booked travel with timed drop‑offs.

  • Southampton → London (city & hotels): door‑to‑door with waiting time for meetings or sightseeing.

  • Southampton/Portsmouth cruise terminals: embarkation day and disembarkation collections, including multi‑stop drop‑offs for families and groups.

If you’re travelling with 6–8 passengers, ask for an MPV. For 1–3 passengers with two or three suitcases, a saloon or estate is often ideal. Compare options on Our Vehicles and request your quote via Bookings

How pricing works (and airport charges)

We’ll agree your fare in advance based on distance, vehicle type and timing. Airport drop‑off charges—now up to £7 at major UK airports—are applied by the airport; we’ll include or itemise them clearly on your confirmation alongside any parking/waiting where applicable. For returns, we factor in flight tracking so your driver is there when you need them.

How to book

  • Use Bookings to request a quote or confirm your journey details.

  • New customers can Register for faster repeat bookings and access to journey history.

  • Existing customers can Login to view and manage upcoming trips.

  • Prefer to speak to someone? See Contact Us and we’ll help you choose the right vehicle and timing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Plus Chauffeurs is a regulated private hire/chauffeur operator. All vehicles and drivers meet licensing and insurance requirements.

Do you cover 6–8 passengers?
Yes—our MPVs comfortably handle groups with luggage. See Our Vehicles.

Can you provide child seats?
We can supply booster seats only (licensing restriction). Please bring infant/child seats for younger children and we’ll secure them safely.

Do you meet inside the terminal?
Yes. For Airport Transfers, we can provide meet‑and‑greet with a nameboard and assist with luggage and wayfinding.

What about waiting and parking?
Where waiting or parking applies (airports, cruise terminals, events), we’ll explain the charges in advance and itemise them on your confirmation.

Do you offer return journeys and multi‑stop routes?
Absolutely. Private hire is ideal for day‑plans, return transfers and itineraries with multiple drop‑offs.

Do you serve hotels and venues around Southampton?
Yes—city centre hotels (e.g., Harbour Hotel, Leonardo, Moxy), Ocean Village, St Mary’s, the Mayflower Theatre and more. Use Contact Us for timings.

Do you provide corporate accounts?
We support business travel with scheduled collections, day‑hire and consolidated invoicing. See Business Travel.

How far in advance should I book?
As early as you can—especially for cruise embarkation days, major events and early‑morning flights.

Fact of the Day

The UK’s private hire framework requires all journeys to be pre‑booked through a licensed operator—one reason airport and cruise transfers run more smoothly with private hire than with ad‑hoc pickups.

Local Relevance

Southampton is uniquely placed for private hire: a major cruise gateway with Ocean and Mayflower terminals, close to Heathrow, Gatwick and Farnborough, and surrounded by visitor favourites like the New Forest, Winchester and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. For cruise sailings, theatre trips, match days at St Mary’s, or airport connections, pre‑booking ensures the right vehicle, luggage space and timings.

Book Your Chauffeur Service Today

Whether you’re a regular client or planning your first journey, Plus Chauffeurs is here to provide luxury transport solutions that match your expectations — both on the road and online.

Book your next chauffeur‑driven journey today!

Call us at +44(0)3333444018, visit www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk, or email enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk to make your reservation.