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You are here > Home > Plan & travel > Isle of Wight ferries
Planning your travel to the Isle of Wight is simple thanks to frequent ferries. The ferry services to the Isle of Wight provide crossings on several ferry routes along the South coast of England. With multiple operators and convenient departure points, getting to the Isle of Wight is effortless and is the first step of your adventure. Whether you’re travelling on foot or bringing a vehicle, you’ll find a ferry crossing that suits your holiday plans. Our ferries are the keepers of a tradition that has connected our island with the mainland for centuries, with the first recorded ferry service dating all the way back to 1420. With Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink as your trusted providers, these ferry journeys are not just about getting from A to B – they’re the beginning of your island experience.
Whether you’re sailing into the heart of Ryde or gliding into the bustling port of Cowes, each trip is an opportunity to soak in the stunning views and feel the anticipation build as our island’s iconic cliffs and lush landscapes come into view. And if you're looking to make your travel to our island more affordable, we've got you covered with some savvy money-saving tips. Start your adventure today, and let the journey across the Solent be as much a part of your experience as the Isle of Wight itself!
The Isle of Wight vehicle ferry is the most popular way to travel to the Isle of Wight and there are three different ports from which to travel from along the South coast of England.
This service is operated by Wightlink and takes approximately 45 minutes. The ferry departs from Portsmouth Harbour and lands on the Isle of Wight in the village of Fishbourne on the North of the Isle of Wight, which provides easy access to the main towns of Ryde and Newport.
The quickest vehicle ferry service runs from Lymington in the New Forest to Yarmouth in West Wight, which is operated by Wightlink. Taking only 30 minutes this crossing is popular with visitors and locals as it offers fantastic views of both coastlines, and out of season can often be less busy.
Arriving in the small town of Yarmouth, there are good transport connections available, with the town of Freshwater close-by and the capital town of Newport a short journey by either car or bus.
Booking your vehicle travel to the Isle of Wight with Wightlink Ferries is straightforward, convenient, and designed to make your journey as smooth as possible. The vehicle ferries accommodate cars, vans, motorhomes and bikes. Their simple online booking system lets you secure your preferred sailing in advance, ensuring a stress-free start to your trip.
This service is run by Red Funnel and operates between Southampton and East Cowes. This crossing takes 1 hour and has the capacity to carry over 200 cars per sailing, departing from Southampton hourly during peak season. Once you arrive at East Cowes there are good transport connections to the rest of the Isle of Wight, or a floating bridge service which operates to the west side of Cowes town.
The main route for traffic takes you past Osborne, the former residence of Queen Victoria, which is one of the most famous attractions in the UK.
Claim 10% off vehicle ferry travel using the widget below. Valid for vehicle ferry crossings of any duration for a car and up to 7 passengers. Also available for a small van up to 5.5m length/2m height. Subject to availability, not for use alongside any other Red Funnel offer or concession.
The Isle of Wight is closer than you might think, and can be reached in just over 10 minutes when using one of the three dedicated foot passenger ferry services. All the services connect with corresponding train and bus services, so travelling to and from the Isle of Wight passenger ferries couldn’t be simpler.
The Isle of Wight boasts the world's only year-round scheduled (timetabled) passenger hovercraft service, which runs from Southsea in Portsmouth to Ryde Esplanade and is operated by Hovertravel.
This crossing is also the fastest service to the Isle of Wight, taking just 10 minutes, and is linked at Southsea to both Portsmouth Harbour train station and “The Hard” bus station by the regular Hoverbus service. After arriving at Ryde the hovercraft terminal adjoins Ryde Esplanade train station and Ryde bus station, both with regular connections to the rest of the Isle of Wight.
Use the widget below and receive 10% off standard adult and child day and period return tickets from Southsea to Ryde only. Please note that the Visit Isle of Wight 10% discount must be booked online only via: www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/travel/isle-of-wight-ferry and is not available on Senior or Student fares. The discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, discounts or combos. Standard Hovertravel Booking Terms & Conditions apply.
The “Red Jet” high speed foot passenger service is operated by Red Funnel and runs from Southampton Docks to the West side of Cowes. Taking just 28 minutes the boat departs Southampton and runs down the river, before reaching the Solent and finally arriving at West Cowes. Once in West Cowes there is a bus service with connections to the rest of our island from the Marks & Spencers store just up the road or a taxi rank is outside the “Red Jet” terminal.
Claim 10% off foot passenger travel using the widget below. Valid on foot via the Hi-Speed Red Jet service. Subject to availability, not for use alongside any other Red Funnel offer or concession.
The “FastCat” catamaran foot passenger service, which runs from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pierhead, is operated by Wightlink. This crossing takes approximately 22 minutes and is directly linked at Portsmouth Harbour by both rail network services and National Express coaches.
Due to essential maintenance at Wightlink Ferries North End FastCat berth, boarding the FastCat will operate from the South End berth at Portsmouth Harbour until April 2026. The following adjustments will be in place:
There are no changes to embarking or disembarking at Ryde Pier Head.
For more information please visit Wightlink's website.
Once the boat arrives at Ryde Pier Head there is a train station at the end of the pier which is serviced by regular Island Trains running as far as Shanklin to the South of the Isle of Wight, and at the top of the Ryde Pier there is a bus station providing transport links to the rest of our island.
Booking Wightlink's “FastCat” catamaran foot passenger service online is straightforward, convenient, and designed to make your journey as smooth as possible. Whether you're heading over for a day trip or a longer stay, Wightlink’s comfortable passenger ferry provides a relaxing way to reach the Isle of Wight and begin your island adventure.
Below are some top tips for saving money and making the most out of your ferry booking to the Isle of Wight.
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