Southampton - West Cowes
Ferry to Isle of Wight
Southampton - West Cowes
Ferry to Isle of Wight
Ferries from Southampton to West Cowes are operated by 1 ferry company; Red Funnel. The journey usually takes around 28 minutes. There are currently 141 weekly sailings on this ferry route. Prices start from as little as £37. Use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability and book your ferry to West Cowes today.
Southampton West Cowes ferry prices tend to range between £37* and £154*. The average price for ferries from Southampton West Cowes is typically £82*. The cheapest Southampton West Cowes ferry prices start from £37*. The average foot passenger price is £82*.
Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over the last 30 days and is exclusive of service fees, last updated April 26.
We offer a fast way to compare ferry tickets and costs across the world to make your choice smooth sailing. Check out our Special Offers page for discounts on select routes and operators. Remember to book early for the best prices and options!
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with, check out our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
The first Southampton West Cowes ferry typically departs from Southampton at around 00:10. The last ferry usually departs at 23:59.
Yes, you can take a day trip between Southampton and West Cowes. Day trips from Southampton to West Cowes by ferry are very popular due to the short journey time and daily crossings. If possible, taking a vehicle is also a good way to explore a little further afield, at your own pace, with your own space - if you’re looking for inspiration or things to do when you’re there, check out our blog.
Yes, Red Funnel ferries allow cars on board ferries between Southampton and West Cowes. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Southampton and West Cowes.
Whether you can bring your campervan on the ferry from Southampton to West Cowes depends on factors like the ship & operator of your preferred crossing. To find out whether you can take your car on the ferry, simply enter your details, and we will compare operators on the specified route for you.
For more practical tips and travel inspiration when taking a car, campervan & caravan, visit our blog.
Yes, you can bring a bicycle on a ferry from Southampton to West Cowes with Red Funnel. In general, most ferry companies allow bicycles on board, but it is always best to check policies regarding bringing bicycles on the ferry, to avoid any bad surprises at the departure port.
Yes, foot passengers can travel with Red Funnel ferries between Southampton and West Cowes.
Pets are currently not allowed on board the ferries from Southampton to West Cowes. Use our Deal Finder to find alternative routes that offer travel options for pets.
Please note that even if pets are not allowed on board, different regulations may apply to passengers travelling with guide dogs and assistance dogs. We recommend talking to our customer service to check the specific rules on your preferred sailing. For general information on travelling with assistant dogs and guide dogs, visit our Special Assistance Help page.
Whether an overnight ferry is available on the route between Southampton and West Cowes depends on various factors. To find out if there is an overnight ferry available simply enter your details, our search results will then provide you with the information whether your preferred ferry sails overnight. Here you can also find the current ferry timetables and crossing times, as well as alternatives for day passages.
Please note that the duration of the night ferries can at times be slightly longer than that of the day ferries.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Southampton to West Cowes, along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
To book your ferry tickets simply enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Southampton to West Cowes for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable. We recommend checking for alternative dates and routes.
The best time to book ferries from Southampton to West Cowes is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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| Southampton - West Cowes Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | £82 | |
| Southampton - West Cowes Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Destination | Isle of Wight |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Red Funnel |
| Average Price | £82 |
| Average Pet Price | £36 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 20 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 141 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 28 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 28 m |
| First Ferry | 00:10 |
| Last Ferry | 23:59 |
| Distance | 10 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 April 2026.
A glance at the map gives some idea of the strategic maritime importance of Southampton, which stands on a triangular peninsula formed at the place where the rivers Itchen and Test flow into Southampton Water, an eight-mile inlet from the Solent. Sure enough, Southampton has figured in numerous stirring events: it witnessed the exodus of Henry V's Agincourt-bound army, the Pilgrim Fathers' departure in the Mayflower in 1620 and the maiden voyages of such ships as the Queen Mary and the Titanic. The Second World War hit Southampton particularly hard, because of its strategic importance as the major industrial area on the South Coast. Pockets of Georgian architecture remain, but much of the city was levelled. The accuracy of the locally-based Ordnance Survey's maps did not go unrecognised by the Luftwaffe: the German bomber pilots used them to bomb Southampton.
