How it works
You'll be able to book our meet and greet service from Thursday 14 August 2025. This service will also be available for Study Abroad and incoming Exchange students.
Meeting our team
Our meet and greet team will meet you at either:
- London Heathrow Airport – Terminal 3 international arrivals lounge
- London Gatwick Airport – South Terminal international arrivals lounge
They'll be there to help direct you towards our coach service, or public transport options, and answer your questions.
Coach service
This is a free service to those arriving for the first time and staying in University Halls of Residence or have a booking through the University in our private partner hall Orion Point.
You must book this service in advance. We will make the booking form available on this page on Thursday 14 August 2025.
If your flight is delayed and you miss your coach booking, we will release your space to another student on the waiting list and you will need to make your own way to your accommodation. There will be helpful information in your confirmation email on how to do this.
If you are landing at a different terminal, you'll need to transfer to the pick-up terminal. Please allow yourself enough time to complete any transfers.
Due to the limited space, family and friends cannot accompany you on the coach service. If you are a PhD student travelling with your family, please email the meet and greet team.
If you need to cancel your booking, please email us as soon as possible so your space can be released to other students.
Service dates
We are running the service on:
- Thursday 18 September 2025
- Friday 19 September 2025
- Sunday 21 September 2025
- Monday 22 September 2025
There is no service on Saturday 20 September 2025.
Service times
From London Heathrow Airport
- 9am
- 10:30am
- 11am
- 2pm
- 5pm
From London Gatwick Aiport
- 9am
- 11am
- 1pm
Luggage
The amount of luggage you can bring is limited to:
- 2 large suitcases
- 1 item of hand luggage
- 1 rucksack or laptop bag
You are responsible for carrying your own suitcases. We understand airlines may offer you more than this luggage allowance, however there is no space available for additional luggage on the meet and greet coach.
Please email the meet and greet team if you will have more luggage than our allowance before you book your seat, or to discuss other options available to you.
Independently travelling
If you arrive after the last meet and greet service, you can take a National Express coach to Southampton Central Coach Station or Winchester. Alternatively, you can take a direct train from London Gatwick Airport to Southampton.
There will be signs directing you to National Express or National Rail trains in the airports. National Express coaches run throughout the night.
Once you arrive in Southampton or Winchester, you will need to take a taxi to your University accommodation. We recommend using Radio Taxis.
If you are using the National Express Coach Service, or arriving by train at Southampton Central Train Station or Winchester, you will need to pay all travel costs.