The Isle of Wight: how to get there, the cheapest ferry and more

Thinking of visiting the Isle of Wight? Located just off England’s south coast, the island is bursting with exciting attractions, from theme parks to museums, castles, botanic gardens, animal sanctuaries and everything in between. It's known for its natural beauty, with a 70-ish mile coastline comprising of chalk cliffs and sandy coves. Across the island you'll also find lively towns that play host to world-class festivals and traditional seaside resorts lined with amusement arcades and fish and chip shops. And with regular ferries from the mainland, it's also super easy to get to.

How to get to the Isle of Wight

There are no commercial flights to the Isle of Wight, so the only way to reach the island is by ferry (or private plane if you have one). That doesn't mean that it's difficult to get to though. In fact, there are great ferry connections between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, giving you plenty of options when it comes to planning your trip. 

Ferries to Isle of Wight: ports and routes

Ferries to the Isle of Wight are operated by 3 ferry companies: Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel, who offer daily services all year round. You can get a ferry to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington, all of which are located on the south coast of England. 

Ferries arrive at either Fishbourne, Ryde, Yarmouth or Cowes, which has 2 ports – East Cowes and West Cowes. The fastest Isle of Wight ferry is the Southsea to Ryde route. Thanks to speedy services by Hovertravel, the journey takes just 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the longest ferry is the Southampton to East Cowes ferry, a route operated by Red Funnel with a duration of around 1 hour.

Isle of Wight ferry prices

The price of the Isle of Wight ferry may also determine which route you take. Obviously prices can change, so we'd recommend using our Deal Finder for the most up-to-date pricing.

What’s the cheapest ferry to the Isle of Wight?

The cheapest ferries to the Isle of Wight are the Lymington to Yarmouth and Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry routes, with prices starting from just £15 for foot passengers. The Southampton to East Cowes ferry is also one of the cheapest routes, with prices starting from £16. These ferries also tend to take the longest which is something to bear in mind as the longer the ferry is, the cheaper the price may be – a great way to save money if you’re not in a rush.

How to get cheap ferries to the Isle of Wight

Looking for the cheapest ferry to the Isle of Wight? Here are a few of our top tips:

• Plan your trip to the Isle of Wight in advance. The sooner you book your ferry tickets the cheaper they usually are. If you leave it to the last minute you can often find yourself spending more than usual. 
• Be prepared to choose a longer route. As we said, the longer the journey the cheaper the price usually is, so if you’ve got time to spare, pick the longer route and relax and enjoy the ride!
• Travel out of the peak summer months. Avoiding school holidays can also save you money.
• Keep an eye on our Special Offers page. This is where you'll find all the latest deals. We'd also recommend subscribing to our emails to be the first to know about all our amazing offers.

Things to do in the Isle of Wight

Once you've worked out how to get to the Isle of Wight, it's time for the exciting bit...planning your itinerary! And the island has plenty to keep you occupied, whether you're going for a day trip or something longer.

Why not time your holiday to the Isle of Wight with one of the island’s famous festivals? The Isle of Wight festival is the most well known which sees some of the best acts in the world take over Newport in June. If that’s not your thing, other festivals in the Isle of Wight include the Isle of Wight Walking Festival which takes place in both May and October, and the family-friendly Riverfest which is also in May.

There's a lot of history to uncover on the Isle of Wight. Top sights include Carisbrook Castle, a historic fortress that was once an Anglo-Saxon earthwork defence, and the grand Osborne House, what was once a royal residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. 

But the island is really known for its natural beauty, with famous landmark, The Needles, stealing the show with its incredible chalk stacks that create the most breathtaking view. Shanklin Chine is another must-visit, a lush gorge full of rare plants, amazing wildlife and beautiful waterfalls. Then, there's the Isle of Wight's beaches. Whether you're looking for a hidden wild cove or a busy sandy bay, there's something for everyone here. Top spots include Shanklin, Bembridge, Freshwater Bay and Sandown Beach.

Whether you fancy exploring ancient sights, visiting picture-perfect towns, relaxing on sandy bays, spotting incredible wildlife or simply soaking up the breathtaking scenery, the Isle of Wight has something for everyone. Just a short sail from the mainland and with regular ferries all year round, it makes the perfect getaway. Book your ferry to the Isle of Wight today and start planning an exciting adventure.