Isle of Wight Ferries: Every Route, Crossing Time & Operator
Every Isle of Wight ferry: Portsmouth, Southsea, Southampton and Lymington to Fishbourne, Ryde, Cowes and Yarmouth, with crossing times, sailings and pets.
📋 Essential Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✓Taking a car? Choose Portsmouth–Fishbourne, Lymington–Yarmouth or Southampton–East Cowes
- ✓Arriving by train? The FastCat leaves from inside Portsmouth Harbour station
- ✓Foot passengers on Lymington–Yarmouth must book in advance
- ✓Red Funnel’s car ferry is every 90 minutes in winter (November–February)
Five ways across the Solent
The Isle of Wight has five passenger routes. With a car, Wightlink sails Portsmouth–Fishbourne (about 45 minutes) and Lymington–Yarmouth (about 40 minutes), and Red Funnel sails Southampton–East Cowes (60 minutes). On foot, the quickest crossings are the Hovertravel hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde (under 10 minutes), Wightlink’s FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head (22 minutes) and Red Funnel’s Red Jet from Southampton to West Cowes (from 28 minutes).
How often the ferries run
In the autumn 2026 timetables, Portsmouth–Fishbourne runs roughly hourly from 07:20 to 20:00 plus night and late sailings, and Lymington–Yarmouth runs hourly. Red Funnel’s car ferry to East Cowes leaves every 60 minutes from March to October and every 90 minutes from November to February; the Red Jet runs about every 35 minutes at busy times. Weekday FastCats leave Portsmouth Harbour hourly from 05:15, and the hovercraft runs every 30 to 60 minutes through the day.
Trains, buses and onward travel
The FastCat terminal is inside Portsmouth Harbour railway station, and at Ryde Pier Head Island Line trains continue to Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. Hovertravel’s H1 HoverBus links Southsea Hoverport with Portsmouth’s rail and coach stations.
Dogs and electric cars
Dogs travel free with both Wightlink and Red Funnel. On Wightlink’s car ferries pets stay in the pet-friendly lounges; on its FastCats they can go anywhere on board. Red Funnel’s vehicle ferries have a pet lounge (the North Lounge on deck A), and dogs are welcome on the Red Jet. Wightlink has EV chargers at Portsmouth Harbour (two 50 kW), Lymington (50 kW) and Ryde Pier Head (7.2 kW).
Isle of Wight ferries: routes and crossing times
From Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel (checked 2 October 2026).
| Route | Operator | Carries | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth → Fishbourne | Wightlink | cars and foot | about 45 min |
| Lymington → Yarmouth | Wightlink | cars and foot | about 40 min |
| Southampton → East Cowes | Red Funnel | cars and foot | 60 min |
| Portsmouth Harbour → Ryde Pier Head | Wightlink FastCat | foot only | 22 min |
| Southsea → Ryde | Hovertravel hovercraft | foot only | under 10 min |
| Southampton → West Cowes | Red Funnel Red Jet | foot only | from 28 min |
Checked 2026-10-02 against: Wightlink routes · Wightlink timetables · Red Funnel Southampton–East Cowes · Red Funnel Red Jet · Hovertravel timetables. Policies change; confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quickest way to the Isle of Wight?
The Hovertravel hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde, which takes under 10 minutes. Wightlink’s FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour takes 22 minutes and Red Funnel’s Red Jet from Southampton from 28 minutes; all three are foot-passenger services.
Which Isle of Wight ferry takes cars?
Wightlink’s Portsmouth–Fishbourne (about 45 minutes) and Lymington–Yarmouth (about 40 minutes), and Red Funnel’s Southampton–East Cowes (60 minutes).
Can I take my dog to the Isle of Wight?
Yes. Dogs travel free with Wightlink and Red Funnel, and pets can travel on the FastCat and the Red Jet as well as the car ferries.