You are here > Home > Plan & Travel > Getting Here > Trains
The Island's Official Tourism Website
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You are here > Home > Plan & Travel > Getting Here > Trains
With great links to all of the connecting ferry ports it is easy to access the Isle of Wight by train from anywhere in the UK.
Travelling by train takes out much of the hassle, and in many cases will shorten your journey time.
When booking your train travel you have the option to buy “through” tickets to the Isle of Wight port you are crossing to - this also allows you to use any associated rail discounts across your whole package.*
You can also buy through tickets that include onward travel on the Island via the Island Line Train Service - for service and destination information when you are on the Island, see the Isle of Wight Train page.
Average travel times from major UK rail stations to the Isle of Wight (inc Ferry journey) are:
London Waterloo – 2 hours 3 minutes (to West Cowes via Southampton Central station)
London Waterloo - 2 hours (to Ryde via Portsmouth Harbour station)
Brighton – 2 hours 5 minutes (to Ryde via Portsmouth Harbour station)
Oxford – 2 hours 15 minutes (to West Cowes via Southampton Central station)
Bristol – 2 hours 46 minutes (to West Cowes via Southampton Central station)
Birmingham New Street – 3 hours 25 minutes (to West Cowes via Southampton Central station)
Birmingham New Street – 4 hours 25 minutes (to Ryde via Portsmouth Harbour station)
Cardiff – 3 hours 40 minutes (to West Cowes via Southampton Central station)
Exeter – 3 hours 40 minutes (to West Cowes via Southampton Central station)
The majority of connecting trains to Isle of Wight are operated by South Western Railway.
You can purchase joint train and ferry tickets, and also review train times and information on their website here.
*Various discounts are available across the UK rail networks, many of which are valid for discounts on ferry crossings – details can be found on seperate rail services websites.
There are so many different ways you can save when you buy train tickets. At South Western Railway they sell cheap train tickets to everywhere in Britain.
Check train times in advance on the South Western Railway website and get the best price with no booking fee.
Copyright © 2023 Visit Isle of Wight Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Needles Landmark Attraction
Sandham Gardens
Osborne
From challenging coastal walks to beautiful short walking routes the Isle of Wight is perfect for relaxing walking holidays!
Luccombe Manor
Luccombe Hall Hotel
The Wight
Ferries & Accommodation
Christmas Events
Chilly Hilly
Christmas at Tapnell Farm Park
Festive Stories with Father Christmas at Osborne
Dog friendly
Competitions
Over half of the Isle of Wight is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Family Holidays
Information on all the ferry options available to the Isle of Wight from mainland UK
Slow Travel Guide
Bike Hire
Walking
like, follow, share....join in!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Threads