Options for travel to the Isle of Wight by public transport
For further information please visit the tabs below.
FERRY
Car ferries to the Isle of Wight are run by Red Funnel from Southampton, and Wightlink from Portsmouth and Lymington.
Fast hydrofoil services for foot passengers are operated by Red Funnel as Red Jets from Southampton to Cowes, and by Wightlink as Fast Cats from Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head. Hovercraft services for foot passengers are provided by Hovertravel from Southsea to Ryde Esplanade.
The Fast Cat terminal in Ryde is adjacent to the local Pier Head Station, and one train stop away from the Ryde Bus Terminus. Ther local bus terminus is adjacent to the Red Jet Terminal in Cowes, and the Hovercraft Terminal in Ryde is adjacent to the Esplanade Train Station and also the Bus Terminus.
Red Funnel Ferries: 0844 844 9988
Wightlink Ferries: 0871 3761000
Hovertravel: 01983 811000
CHEAPER FARES – many accommodation providers are able to provide discounted ferry travel when bought as part of a holiday package. Ask about ferry inclusive prices and deals when you book.
TRAIN
SouthWest Trains run services to to conect to the Island to Portsmouth Docks, Southampton and Lymington, The network map can be found here. SouthWest Trains link with other regions on the rail network and tickets can be booked from any UK main line station to connect with Isle of Wight Ferries. If coming from, or connecting via London, trains for Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington leave from Waterloo, and go via Clapham Junction. For SoutWest Train information check this link or phone: 0845 7484950
Portsmouth Docks (Portsmouth Harbour)
London trains come in to Platform 1, at end of this platform is ramp to Wightlink Fast Cat hydrofoil, take the Fast Cat to Ryde Pier Head. Local trains on Isle of Wight run from the Pier Head at one end to Shanklin at the other. There is a Taxi rank immediately outside of Shanklin Station.
Southampton Central
Mainline trains come in to Southampton Central Station. There is a free shuttle bus from the bus station outside of the Train Station that links with the Red Jet and Red Funnel Car Ferry Terminals at Pier 7.
Lymington
The station at Lymington is adjacent to the Wightlink ferry terminal.
For general train information check:
National Rail: 08457 484950 or The Trainline: 0871 244 1545
N.B. it is cheaper to book train tickets in advance and to book the ticket from your local station to Shanklin, which can include the ferry crossing.
COACH
National network of interconnecting coach routes. Regular coaches throughout the day from London Victoria and Heathrow Coach Stations to Southampton and Portsmouth.
By phone with a credit/debit card call: 08705 80 80 80
Lines open 8 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week (Please allow 4 working days for posted tickets)
Travel from London to Portsmouth or Southampton.
Ticketline: 0900 096 0000
Lines open 9am – 5pm weekdays
Greyhound, Hovertravel & Southern Vectis currently offer an ‘all in one’ ticket from London to anywhere on the Island. (These tickets must be purchased from the Greyhound website)
LOCAL BUS
Shanklin is served by two bus routes, number 2 runs from Newport Bus Station to the Ryde Terminus via Godshill, Shanklin, Sandown and Brading; the number 3 route overlaps much of the number 2 route, but between Godshill and Shanklin diverts via Wroxall and Ventnor.
Southern Vectis
Bus Times: 0871 200 22 33 (Please note – calls from landlines cost 10p per minute, call from mobiles might be considerably more)
AIRPORT
Regional Airports
Bournemouth Airport: 01202 364000
Southampton (Eastleigh) Airport: 0870 040 0009
Island Airports
You can fly to the Isle of Wight with a private plane, the Isle of Wight has two small airfields:
Bembridge: 01983 873051 and Sandown: 01983 408374. Plane and helicopter charter is available from the Island.
TAXI
Not all taxi operators run a 24 hour service. It is advisable to pre-book taxis for late night or early morning travel wherever possible.
AKAR Taxis: 01983 401233
‘A’ Cabs: 01983 866772
Ace Taxis: 01983 868666
Macs Taxis: 01983 862344
Door2Door: 01983 404554
