Getting Here

Many of our accommodation providers are able to provide discounted ferry travel when bought as part of a holiday package.

Please Ask about ferry inclusive prices and deals when you book.

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. The local bus terminus is adjacent to the Red Jet Terminal in Cowes. The Hovercraft Terminal in Ryde is adjacent to the Esplanade Train Station and also the Bus Terminus.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth Harbour trains coming in from London, come into Platform 1, at the end of this platform is a ramp to the Wightlink Fast Cat. Take the Fast Cat to Ryde Pier Head. Local trains on Isle of Wight run from Ryde Pier Head at one end to Shanklin at the other – check out Island Lines for their timeable. There is a Taxi rank outside of Shanklin Station.

Southampton

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.

There is an Island bus service that meets the Red Jet at Cowes, which will take you into Newport to change buses for Shanklin.

Lymington

The station at Lymington is adjacent to the Wightlink ferry terminal. Check Railway information via the links below.

Please note 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.

Useful Links

Wightlink Ferries

Island Line

Red Funnel Ferries

Southern Vectis

Hover Travel

National Rail Line

National Express

Southampton Airport

Bournemouth Airport

By Train

South Western Railway run services that connect to the Island via Portsmouth Docks, Southampton and Lymington, The network map can be found at 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.

Shanklin railway station is the only station serving Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. It is the present terminus of the Island Line from Ryde, the station has one platform with a ticket office.

By Coach

National Express National network of interconnecting coach routes. Regular coaches throughout the day from London Victoria and Heathrow Coach Stations to Southampton and Portsmouth.

Book 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)

Regional Airports

The two closest airports are Southampton – Tel: 0870 040 0009 and Bournemouth – Tel: 01202 36400

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 Airport 01983 408374.

Plane and helicopter charter is available from the Island.

Local Bus Service

Shanklin is served by two bus routes, the 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 it diverts via Wroxall and Ventnor. Check out Southern Vectis website for timetables.