getting from Heathrow to Winchester and Southampton

That route is always a bit of a train issue as you need to head into London to find a train - typically a bus to Feltham, train to Clapham Junction, then hook up with the train that has come out of Waterloo.

You can get a direct National Express coach from Heathrow to Southampton.

Regarding car services, a search will bring up specialists for the route - they do tend to be a bit cheaper than just jumping in a taxi. Perhaps the cruise company has recommendations? Or look at the Heathrow website. For them Winchester or Southampton shouldn't make too much difference really

Regarding clearing the airport, an hour is reasonable for flight to exit. But the companies are all used to checking flight details etc.

Or you take the Rail Air Bus to Woking for the train forward.

typically a bus to Feltham, train to Clapham Junction

I can't imagine doing that. I'm not a bus to Feltham sort of person, and condemning somebody to trying to use Clapham Junction with cruise luggage right off a transatlantic flight and likely not familiar with the thrill that is Clapham Junction especially if the escalators aren't working just isn't fair at all....

@Travel - My request for recommendations is partly based on reviews I read online of unreliable car services. In particular, Rome2Rio links to a car service company that has pretty bad reviews. I'd rather not leave it to chance, TBH.

@isn31c and @Nigel - I agree. Part of the appeal of getting a town car is the simplicity and ease, given we aren't that familiar with where we are going in England (I've been before and used the train system, but it was decades ago). We will have just come from Denmark, but will probably be a bit jet-lagged still.

I could swear someone mentioned a Heathrow car service in this forum that Rick Steves used and liked - anyone know which one I'm talking about?

Thank you, everyone, for being resources - I'm grateful for this huge body of knowledge I'm tapping into.

Blackberry cars is probably the one you are thinking about, to bring us back to the requested topic.

A number of people have reported good service with Blackberry for trips from Heathrow.

You also might check to see if your hotel has a recommendation for a reliable service. They may be aware of a Winchester based service.

@ isn31c and @Laura - thank you! I will hang on to that name.

I’ve used blackberry cars to get from London to heathrow. Ride went fine and would use them again if the need arose.

Here’s the page for the cruise port transfer
https://www.blackberrycars.com/southampton-airport/

I’m just popping in to recommend finding a Winchester taxi company for this service. It’ll be a journey they’re well used to doing, and will probably be able to offer a decent rate.

I don’t have personal experience of any companies, but Wintax and Wessex Cars are well-established firms.

Looking at the OP's thoughts on the car service mentioned on Rome2Rio (a site which has it's own problems) although he doesn't wish to use the train there is another rail route to Winchester and Southampton which hasn't cropped up on the forum before- Elizabeth Line (or Rail Air Link) to Reading (change at Hayes and Harlington) then Cross Country trains from Reading.
Other readers may find that a useful idea,
That's an interesting idea. Just occasionally R2R has a good idea, even if it's given fares are a bit off fact. I think you would book it as Heathrow to Reading, then Reading to Southampton (separate tickets) for the best fares.
It is still not a direct train, but is about the same journey time as any of the various South Western trains routes. If the Elizabeth line was used to Reading it would be an all rail route.
If you put the journey into National Rail Enquiries/the train company websites Reading is also the route offered.
Any of the public transport routes seems to be around the same- 2 to 2 1/2 hours overall journey time, Reading possibly edges it.

Underneath Heathrow there is apparently a railway station that was built ready for the link railway to the South Western Trains routes , which was to be constructed at one stage, but now seems to be a lost cause.

Thanks to Golden Girl for suggesting some locally based car/taxi companies.

Thanks to Golden Girl for suggesting some locally based car/taxi companies.

We have had very good experiences with car services based in the destination city. They always seen to know the best routes to take. Most car services monitor flight arrival times, are aware of delays, and adjust accordingly.

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Thank you Stefanie

Yes, thank you, Stefanie.

We used Wessex Cars from LHR to Winchester last year and all went well. The driver met us in the terminal (took me a few minutes to figure out what "Boots" was lol - it's a shop in the terminal where he was waiting). As first-time travelers from the US who barely slept on the flight, the car service option was the best for us. They keep an eye on the flight and seem to be able to tell approximately how long it takes to get through customs and baggage claim. Hope that helps!

@dgshand Thanks! I'll get a quote from Wessex too.