There are six ferry routes to the Isle of Wight, split between three car ferries and three fast foot-passenger services, run by Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel. All cross the Solent, and all are short — from ten minutes to about an hour.
Which route works best depends on your nearest mainland port and whether you're taking a car. Here's how they all compare.
Car ferry routes
~30–40 min
West Wight
~45 min
flagship Victoria of Wight
~55–60 min
East Cowes
| Route | Operator | Duration | Best For / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lymington–Yarmouth | Wightlink | ~30–40 min | West Wight |
| Portsmouth–Fishbourne | Wightlink | ~45 min | flagship Victoria of Wight |
| Southampton–East Cowes | Red Funnel | ~55–60 min | East Cowes |
The three car ferries carry vehicles and foot passengers. Lymington–Yarmouth is the quickest car crossing.
Foot passenger routes
~10 min
hovercraft, fastest crossing
~22 min
FastCat, rail links both ends
~28 min
Red Jet catamaran
| Route | Operator | Duration | Best For / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southsea–Ryde | Hovertravel | ~10 min | hovercraft, fastest crossing |
| Portsmouth–Ryde Pier | Wightlink | ~22 min | FastCat, rail links both ends |
| Southampton–West Cowes | Red Funnel | ~28 min | Red Jet catamaran |
The fast foot-passenger services are quicker than the car ferries. The Southsea hovercraft is the fastest way across the Solent.
Car ferries: which to choose?
If you're taking a vehicle, it comes down to your route and destination:
- Lymington–Yarmouth: the quickest car crossing, for West Wight — though the drive to Lymington is through the New Forest
- Portsmouth–Fishbourne: frequent and central, on Wightlink's flagship Victoria of Wight, handy for Ryde and the east
- Southampton–East Cowes: Red Funnel's route, well signposted from the motorway, arriving at Cowes
Foot passenger services: which to choose?
On foot, you've got three fast options:
- Southsea–Ryde: the Hovertravel hovercraft, fastest of all at around ten minutes
- Portsmouth–Ryde Pier: Wightlink's FastCat, with railway stations at both ends — great for onward travel
- Southampton–West Cowes: Red Funnel's Red Jet, arriving right in Cowes with a free connecting bus to Southampton Central
Booking and travel tips
A few things worth knowing across the routes:
- Book ahead for cars: vehicle space fills up in summer and around island events
- Foot passengers: often need to book in advance on busy sailings
- Bikes: travel free for foot passengers on the car ferries
- In your car: you can't stay in your vehicle during the crossing
- No passport: it's a domestic trip, so you just need your ticket
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ferry routes are there to the Isle of Wight?
Six — three car ferries (Lymington, Portsmouth, Southampton) and three fast foot-passenger services (Southsea, Portsmouth, Southampton).
What's the fastest route to the Isle of Wight?
The Hovertravel hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde, at around ten minutes.
What's the quickest car ferry?
Wightlink's Lymington to Yarmouth crossing, at around 30 to 40 minutes.
Which foot passenger route is best for onward travel?
Portsmouth to Ryde Pier on Wightlink's FastCat, with railway stations at both ends.
Can I take a car on all the routes?
No — only the three car ferries (Lymington, Portsmouth, Southampton). The FastCat, Red Jet and hovercraft are foot-passenger only.