Travelling from Southampton Airport

So you’re heading off from Southampton soon, but not sure about available destinations from Southampton Airport (SOU)? Grab a cuppa (or a cold one) and treat yourself to 10 minutes (or less) with this great guide. Because by the time you’ve quenched your thirst, your brain will be stuffed with all the crucial info you need about the best places to fly from Southampton for a business trip, weekend break, family reunion, or longer holiday.

But if you’re only in Southampton to catch a flight, you’re missing out. Why not hang around longer and get to know this excellent English city a bit better? Southampton blends interesting history, lively culture, and an endless sense of adventure into a heady mix. So whether you're a history fan, adrenalin addict, or nature enthusiast, you’ll definitely find something to tickle your fancy.

For starters, history buffs love finding out more about aboard the Titanic's legacy and you can learn all about the world’s most famous ill-fated ship at the SeaCity Museum. You’ll enjoy interactive exhibits, a scale model of the doomed vessel, and stand right on the same docks where passengers embarked on their disastrous journey.

And (as impressive as it is), Southampton’s maritime legacy doesn’t start and end with the Titanic. Because you can also walk in the footsteps of the Mayflower Pilgrims as they set out on their voyage to the New World. Starting at the Pilgrim’s Father’s House, you’ll get amazing insights into their mindset and motivation.

And that’s not all. Because you’ll discover Southampton's medieval secrets with a relaxing walk through the beautiful Tudor House & Garden. This remarkably well-preserved 15th-century merchant's house lets you experience life in the Tudor period, complete with authentic furnishings and a blooming herbal garden.

Alternatively, there are lots of Southampton attractions which are a little edgier. For instance, you can try your luck as a daredevil pilot at the Solent Sky Museum. Get into the cockpit of a Spitfire simulator, whoosh through the virtual skies and experience the nervous excitement of dogfights and amazing aerobatics.

As if that’s not enough high-flying action, you can get a taste of zero gravity at InflataZone, a massive inflatable playground for kids all ages, complete with giant slides, obstacle courses, and much more. And if you’re more comfy on the water, you can get your adrenaline pumping with a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) session on Southampton Water. As you whisk through the waves and feel the spray in your face, you’ll feel like an action movie star.

Meanwhile, nature enthusiasts love The Common, a gorgeous green space with rolling parkland, peaceful gardens that’s teeming with birdlife. Have a picnic on its luxuriant grass and enjoy a cathartic stroll around. And it’s always worth visiting the lovely village of Hythe across Southampton Water. Pop into the Hythe Maritime Museum and enjoy the awe-inspiring views from the Solent Way coastal path.

So what else has Southampton got to offer? How about a top-class cuisine scene? For starters (and mains), seafood lovers adore Michelin-starred Oceana, which serves contemporary British cuisine with a core foundation of fresh, local seafood. The scallop ceviche is superb and the lobster thermidor is uncommonly good.

If you’re willing to expand your palate with extraordinary dishes, The Tasting Rooms are the ideal place to journey on an epic cuisine quest, with lots of exquisite seasonal flavours and leftfield cooking techniques.

And there’s something for everyone in terms of Southampton eateries. For instance, The Lumer Bar & Kitchen is a hip spot with a relaxed atmosphere and an exciting small plates menu. And The Art House is a vegetarian and vegan café famous for fresh, healthy and affordable food which tastes great.

Southampton is also a great place for a night out. If you’re into craft beer, try the city’s own BrewDog, cocktail connoisseurs love The Botanist, and The Cricketers is a cozy old-school pub where you can warm yourself by the fire and unwind with a drink or three.

Need somewhere to stay? Try the posh and plush Grand Harbour for Victorian-era grandeur, The Pig – in the wall for trendy boutique vibes, or The Adobe Hotel for hostel style accommodation which is great value for money.

Southampton Airport destinations list

You can fly from Southampton to lots of different destinations in the UK and further afield. Find out more about them right now!

Southampton Airport UK destinations

Whether you’re reuniting with old university mates for a pub crawl, hooking up for a hen or stag night, or jetting off to a business meeting, SOU can connect you to some great UK destinations. Your choices include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Jersey and Guernsey.

Southampton Airport Europe destinations

If you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can catch a flight from SOU to destinations including Alicante, Amsterdam, Bergerac, Chambery, Dublin, Faro, Geneva, Majorca, Malaga and Paris.

What are the best places to fly to from Southampton Airport?

Choose Edinburgh for lively culture and fascinating history. You’ll see gorgeous Gothic architecture at St Giles Cathedral, the volcanic grandeur of Edinburgh Castle, and learn all about the amazing history of the city (and the world at large) in the outstanding National Museum of Scotland. There’s also art and culture aplenty at the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and lots of hip bars and boutiques in trendy Leith, the city’s creative quarter.

Choose Manchester for world-class football and music from another dimension. You can learn all about the city’s industrial heritage, embrace the beautiful game at the National Football Museum, and mooch around the Northern Quarter to catch the arty vibes. The cuisine scene’s great, with everything from high-end experimental restaurants to healthy and hearty pub grub. And there are plenty of hotspots to hear live music and dance the night away.

Choose Newcastle for lovely locals and lively nights out. The famous quayside and bridges are the heart of the city – you can walk over the iconic Tyne Bridge and take a boat ride on the river during the day and enjoy buzzing nightlife of an evening. And this is also a lovely area if you like the great outdoors. You can drive out to Northumberland National Park, and hike along Hadrian’s Wall as well as the coast.

Choose Glasgow for art, architecture and a thriving nighttime economy. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is packed with beautiful and interesting artefacts, the University of Glasgow oozes Victorian elegance and the East End has a thriving street art scene. Glasgow also has Scotland’s best cuisine scene – you can enjoy everything from delicious street food to artisan haggis served in Michelin-starred eateries. And the nightlife is epic – from live music in pubs and stadiums to heaving dancefloors in some of the world’s best clubs.

From Southampton to the world

• Choose Florence for some of history’s greatest art and today’s greatest cuisine. When it comes to Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is hard to beat. From Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Venus at the Uffizi Gallery to panoramic vistas at the top of the Duomo, there’s something eye-popping around every corner. The Tuscan countryside outside the urban sprawl is gorgeous, especially the Val d’Orcia UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the food is chef’s kiss, with pizza, pasta, gelato and more, all created lovingly with the freshest local ingredients.
• Choose Berlin, for unique history and creative culture. You’ll see the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building, and remains of the Berlin Wall. And this is also a great creative city, with cultural highlights including plays at the Berliner Schaubühne, the vibrant art scene at the Berlinische Galerie, and a multitude of hip bars and clubs. Away from the bright lights, you can take a cathartic stroll in Tiergarten, the city’s biggest park, walking along the Spree River, or heading out Potsdam to drink in the soothing Sanssouci Palace gardens.

Which airlines fly out of Southampton Airport?  

Lots of different airlines fly out of Southampton Airport, to the UK and beyond.

Major carriers include Aer Lingus, Aurigny, Blue Islands, British Airways, Eastern Airways, easyJet, Fly BEA, and KLM.

And smaller carriers include Loganair, TUI Airways, Volotea, Wizz Air.

How can I hire a car at Southampton Airport?

You can deal with car hire companies directly but booking via an aggregator site like Enjoy Travel is one of the best ways to compare deals for SOU parking from the best partners, bag discount offers and choose the best package for your needs and budget.

Enjoy Travel partners with a huge network of car hire companies at Southampton Airport, including household named like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar.

And our signature comparison tool lets you compare deals and specs of different providers practically in an instant. Pricing is transparent and the process is easy – just choose your car and hire dates online, book in minutes and get your confirmation voucher right away.

Additional services include airport meet and greet, child seats, GPS navigation, and one-way rentals. There are lots of positive reviews online and you can check these independently.

At the airport | Southampton

Southampton car hire

Southampton hotels

Southampton airport hotels

Southampton airport parking