Transportation to and from the Isle of Wight

Car ferries, passenger ferries and a passenger hovercraft are the only scheduled means of transportation to and from the island.  Many hotels and B&Bs offer a vehicle ferry package when booking accommodation with them.

 

Red Funnel

Ferry to Isle of Wight Red Funnel Car Ferry (Southampton to East Cowes)

Red Funnel operates a vehicle ferry from Southampton to East Cowes and a Red Jet foot passenger ferry from Southampton to Cowes. The car ferry runs approximately every 60 minutes during the summer, and takes about 55 minutes.  Passengers are advised to book in advance.  The Red Jet runs every 30 minutes during peak hours, and every 60 minutes during off-peak, it takes about 25 minutes and booking is not usually necessary.

 

Visit www.redfunnel.co.uk for more details.

Wightlink

Ferry to Isle of Wight Wightlink Car Ferry (Portsmouth to Fishbourne)

Wightlink operates vehicle ferries between Portsmouth and Fishbourne (near Ryde) and between Lymington (in the New Forest) and Yarmouth.  The Portsmouth ferry runs every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes during off-peak.  It takes about 40 minutes.  The Lymington ferry runs every 45 minutes or so and takes about 35 minutes.  Passengers are advised to book both ferries in advance.

 

Wightlink also run a foot passenger catamaran service from Portsmouth to Ryde.  It mostly runs every 30 minutes and takes about 20 minutes, it is not usually necessary to book.

 

Visit www.wightlink.co.uk for more details.

Hovertravel

Fastest route to IW Hovercraft - Southsea to Ryde

Hovertravel operates a passenger hovercraft service between Southsea Portsmouth and Ryde Esplanade.

The hovercraft runs every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes off-peak.  It takes about 10 minutes and it is not usually necessary to book.

 

Visit www.hovertravel.co.uk for more details.