Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde
Ferry to Isle of Wight
Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde
Ferry to Isle of Wight
Yes, you can get a ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde. Ferries from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde are available all year round and are operated by 2 ferry companies; Wightlink & Hovertravel. With around 19 daily and 125 weekly sailings, there are plenty of options to choose from. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for ferries to Ryde from Portsmouth Harbour.
Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde first ferry: departs Portsmouth Harbour at 05:15.
Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde last ferry: departs Portsmouth Harbour at around 22:45.
Bear in mind that Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry times can vary by season. We recommend checking the latest Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry timetable before you book.
How long the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry is depends on whether you’re travelling on a Portsmouth Harbour Ryde fast ferry or conventional ferry. The Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry duration is usually around 22 minutes on average.
Average Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry time: 22 minutes
Fastest ferry: 22 minutes
Longest ferry: 52 minutes
Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferries are provided by 2 ferry companies; Wightlink & Hovertravel. There are a combined total of 19 daily and 125 weekly sailings. Bear in mind, the Portsmouth Harbour Ryde ferry timetable can change throughout the seasons, with more options available in the summer months.
Ferry frequency: the Portsmouth Harbour ferry to Ryde runs all year round
Wightlink: 18 daily sailings and 122 weekly sailings
Hovertravel: 0 daily sailings and 0 weekly sailings
Portsmouth Harbour Ryde ferry prices can vary depending on the ferry company you're travelling with and the season you're travelling in.
Average Portsmouth Harbour Ryde ferry cost: £81.00
Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated June 25.
Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde distance: approximately 5.8 miles (9.3km) or 5 nautical miles.
With the fastest ferries to Isle of Wight (Ryde) taking as little as 22 minutes, you can easily do a Portsmouth to Isle of Wight day trip.
No you cannot travel with a car on the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry.
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry.
Portsmouth Harbour Ryde foot passenger ferries: Wightlink
Foot passenger price: usually between £41 and £125
Cheapest foot passenger price: around £19
Pets are allowed on Portsmouth Harbour ferries to Ryde.
Pet-friendly operators:
Wightlink
You will need the following things with you when travelling with your pet on a ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde.
Wightlink: there are dedicated pet-friendly areas on board
Wightlink: free
You can travel with guide dogs and assistance dogs on the boat from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde. However, you must let the ferry company know at the time of booking. You may also have to present any necessary certificates if asked to do so on board.
To make your journey from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde even easier, Hovertravel offer a bus and ferry combination ticket. The Hoverbus is designed to connect with both the arrival and departure of the hovercraft, for a quick and easy trip to and from the Isle of Wight.
We recommend booking in advance to find the cheapest ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde. Ryde to Ryde ferry prices vary depending on the season you’re travelling in. Most Ryde to Portsmouth Harbour ferry prices are higher in the peak summer months between June to September. Ferries during these months can sell out so if you’re travelling from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde by boat in summer it’s always best to make your Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry booking in advance. Check out our special offers page for all the latest ferry discounts and to find the cheapest ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde.
Yes, students can get a 5% discount on Portsmouth Harbour Ryde ferry tickets all year round. Check out our special offers page for more discounts and to get the cheapest Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry booking.
It all depends on the size of the ship but disembarking the ferry can take around 15-45 minutes.
If you're getting the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry with luggage, then there are certain restrictions that may apply. The amount of luggage you can take on the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry depends on the ferry company you are travelling with.
Wightlink: no luggage limit
Hovertravel: 30kg per passenger
There are a wide range of facilities available on board the ferry between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde. These include cafes, restaurants, bars and gift shops. Bear in mind that each ship’s facilities will vary.
The accommodation and seating on the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde boat differs depending on the ferry company and how long the journey is. Prices are also dependent on the company you travel with and the size of your cabin.
Wightlink: comfortable lounges and outside seating
Hovertravel: comfortable seating
Yes, the ferries from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde are suitable for people with reduced mobility. The exact facilities on board will depend on the ship you’re travelling on. It's best to inform the ferry company at the time of booking to see if they can accommodate any requests.
Wightlink: Assistance is available at the port. Other facilities include ramps, wheelchairs and accessible toilets.
Hovertravel: All ferries are accessible with ramps for boarding and disembarking the ship. Wheelchairs are also available at the terminal and accessible toilets are available on board.
It all depends on the ferry company you are travelling with. In general, we recommend arriving at Portsmouth Harbour port at least 1 hour before departure. However, if you are travelling with a vehicle, it’s best to arrive 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours before departure to allow time for parking. Wherever you’re travelling from, you should allow plenty of time to get to the port in case of traffic.
Your Portsmouth Harbour Ryde tickets will be sent by email. You will then need to check in with the ferry company before you travel and you may receive an additional boarding pass.
The latest check-in time for your Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde ferry booking should be in your confirmation email.
Wightlink: 30-60 minutes before if you're travelling with a vehicle and at least 15 minutes before for foot passengers
Hovertravel: at least 10 minutes before departure time
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| Portsmouth Harbour - Ryde Ferry Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Destination | England | |
| Destination | Isle of Wight | |
| No. of Operators | 2 | |
| Operators | Wightlink & Hovertravel | |
| Average Price | £81 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 19 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 125 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 22 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 22 m | |
| First Ferry | 05:15 | |
| Last Ferry | 22:45 | |
| Distance | 5 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 June 2025.
The English city of Portsmouth is located on the south coast of England, in the county of Hampshire. It is the UK's only island city and is situated around 100 km to the south west of London and 30 km to the east of Southampton. The city's long history is inextricably linked to the sea. It is home to the oldest dry dock in the world still in use and also to famous ships such as HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship, the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior. The city is also home to the Royal Marine Commandoes and to a naval base.
The city's port is one of the best connected ports in the United Kingdom, serving nine different destinations. To the south of the Naval Base, you will find the Isle of Wight (Ryde) Passenger Ferry Terminal. The Continental Ferry Terminal is served by ferry services to Le Havre in France and Bilbao in Spain. There are also daily crossings to Cherbourg, Caen and St Malo in France, St Helier in Jersey, St Peter Port in Guernsey and to Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
Ryde is the largest town on the Isle of Wight and is often referred to as the "Gateway to the island" due to its prominent position along the shores of the island and its hovercraft and passenger ferry links to the English mainland. Visitors to the town enjoy its lovely sandy beaches which stretch the length of the town, its boutique shops, museums and galleries. As the island's largest town it comes as no surprise to learn that it is also the venue for some of the island's largest annual events. For example, every August bank holiday thousands of scooter enthusiasts descend upon the town for the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally, and just a few weeks later the town's esplanade can be seen draped in classic cars for the International Classic Car Show. Ryde is also home to one of the United Kingdom's oldest carnivals which usually takes place at the end of the summer and forms the end of the Isle of Wight carnival season which travels all over the island. Ryde’s collection of late night bars and clubs also tend to make it one of the most popular spots for nightlife.
