How To Get Cheap Day Trips To The Isle of Wight in Summer 2024

You can pop across to Cowes for £12.90 for most of the summer

We've just spotted a simple way to get a cheap day trip to the Isle of Wight from Southampton during summer 2024, which we thought was worth sharing.

Red Funnel is doing a £12.90 day return offer to coincide with events on the Isle of Wight. Children pay about half price (well, their parents pay for them, but you know what I mean). The standard fare is £21.70 or about half price for children. 

Most of these events have at least some element which is free, so you can get the special price without buying anything extra.

Of course, the idea is that you attend the events but you will probably have time to do other things as well.

There are so many of these events that you can get a £12.90 day return during the majority of the summer school holidays including 18th July - 3rd August and then 9th - 19th August.

To get the deal, you need to book through the relevant page. We've collated them all into this neat list for you:

• Isle of Wight Festival (18th - 24th June) - this one is actually £18 for a period return but it's still cheaper than the standard day return.
• Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival (29th - 30th June)
• Wight Wheels 2024 (29th June - 1st July)
• Cowes Classics Day (7th July)
• Ventnor Fringe (18th July - 29th July) - or a period return for £21
• Isle of Wight Pride (19th - 21st July)
• Festival of Heroes (20th - 21st July)
• Cowes Week (27th July - 3rd August) - or a period return for £21
• Wight Proms (9th - 18th August)
• Jack Up Summer Party (10th - 11th August) - or a period return for £21 from 9th - 12th August
• Isle of Wight Garlic Festival (16th - 19th August)
• The Great Wight Bite (7th - 8th September)
• Isle of Wight Ukulele Festival (16th - 23th October)
• Fan TC Con (19th October)

These offers are only valid for visiting the Isle of Wight. I'm afraid they aren't valid for Isle of Wight residents visiting the mainland. Although I would ask why you would want to leave the Isle of Wight in summer...

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What should I do once I get to the Isle of Wight

Check out our guide to day trips from Southampton for an idea of what you can do once you arrive in Cowes.

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What about travelling from Portsmouth from Lymington

Wightlink have an ongoing offer where Kids go free during 2024 school holidays.

My personal opinion (seeing as you asked) is that Lymington is best located for a day trip from the mainland. You arrive in pleasant Yarmouth and can then jump on an open top bus, which tours round some lovely spots including The Needles and Freshwater Bay.

However, there are plenty of options regardless of which you ferry you choose. See our guides to day trips from Portsmouth and day trips from Lymington.