Our free Meet and Greet service is for students arriving to study in the UK for the first time.
Our Meet and Greet team will meet you at London Heathrow or London Gatwick Arrivals in the airport. They will be available from 8:00 to 20:00.
The coach will take you and your baggage to your university halls.
You can't take anyone else with you on the coach, unless you're a PhD student arriving with your spouse or children.
This service is not available for privately renting students.
Meet and Greet will be available for students arriving for Semester 1 in September 2023.
Our Meet and Greet service will be running on:
There are a limited number of places available to book. If you’re arriving on another date, or you don’t book in time, you’ll need to make your own way to your accommodation.
Please contact MeetAndGreet@soton.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
Luggage
The amount of luggage you can bring is limited to:
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 contact the Meet and Greet team if you will have more than the allowance before you book your seat or to discuss other options available to you.
Book your seat on the coach
Book for Wednesday 17 May 2023 (Booking closes 10 May)
Book for Wednesday 21 June 2023 (Booking closes 14 June)
Book for Wednesday 12 July 2023 (Booking closes on 6 July)
National Express Coach Service
If you arrive after the last Meet and Greet service you can take a National Express coach to Southampton Central Coach Station, Winchester or 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, or you can ask one of the Meet and Greet team from 8am to 8pm or at the airport Information Desk. National Express coaches run throughout the night.
If you are using National Express, you will need to take a taxi to your University accommodation.
The recommended taxi company in Southampton is Radio Taxis.
Contact Radio Taxis: +44 (0) 2380 666 666
Please note, if you are using the National Express Coach Service, or arriving by train at Southampton Central Train Station or Winchester, this travel cost, including the taxi, is to be paid by you and is not covered by the Meet and Greet service.