Travel and Information

Getting to Cowes

Getting to Cowes and East Cowes is simple whether you're arriving by foot, car or by yacht.

There are regular ferry crossings from Southampton – on foot to West Cowes and by car to East Cowes. The Red Jet services depart from The Arcade in the centre of Cowes, with regular journeys to Southampton. The crossing takes about 25 minutes.

The Red Funnel car ferry departs from East Cowes, taking just under an hour to reach Southampton.

Arriving by boat

There are plenty of places to berth in Cowes. For full details and to discover more about facilities on offer, go to Cowes Harbour Commission.

Tide times

Click here to find information about tide times around Cowes.

Cruising to and from Cowes

Cowes is one of the UK's most popular cruising destinations, being located at the very heart of the Solent and easily accessible for all types of vessel. There is a wide choice of berthing options available in Cowes and on the sheltered waters of the River Medina, ranging from fully serviced marinas right in the centre of the town to more peaceful berths and mooring buoys away from it all.

Cowes is the perfect choice for a rally destination with Cowes Harbour Commission's Shepards Wharf Marina taking bookings for fleets of six or more vessels.

Visiting cruise ships & private yachts

Cowes is also becoming a magnet for a growing number of visiting cruise ships and private yachts, which usually anchor in Cowes Roads with passengers alighting at Trinity Landing to spend the day visiting the town and touring the Island.

Trinity Landing, the floating pontoon off The Parade, enjoys a unique location ensuring uninterrupted views across the Solent and providing easy, walk ashore access to Cowes town, thereby also making it an attractive option for luxury yachts coming to Cowes.

Getting between Cowes and East Cowes

Cowes and East Cowes are well connected to each other. Whether you’ve spent the day at Osborne and you’re looking to travel to Cowes for dinner or you’re racing for the car ferry, the ‘floating bridge’ chain ferry runs regularly from morning to night time.

Water Taxi

You can take a water taxi from either Cowes or East Cowes, which will take into Newport harbour or to any other marina.

Buses

If you want to travel onwards from Cowes, the Isle of Wight bus company Southern Vectis run regular bus services from both Cowes and East Cowes.

Cycling and Walking

Cowes is an excellent starting point for walkers and cyclists alike. There is an off road cycle path from Cowes to Newport and bike hire facilities in the town.