Wightlink's big change that should save Couples money in 2024

Wightlink has made three changes to its Multilink passes

Wightlink has announced three changes to its Multilink pass for regular travellers. Two of the changes probably won't affect vast numbers of people but I thought it was worth highlighting the third one - which could save you a lot of money if you're a couple who visit (or leave) the Isle of Wight at least twice a year.

Here's my main point for those who don't want to read the full waffle.

​If you travel as a foot passenger on the Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth Harbour crossing as a couple twice a year, then it is now almost certainly worth getting a Multilink passenger pass. ​

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Anyway, on with the main waffle.

The first two changes that Wightlink has made are to do with the Multilink vehicle passes. You can now have three people on your pass instead of two, as long as you live at the same address. For example, a mum and dad living on the Isle of Wight and their grown-up daughter could share a pass if she still lives at home. You don't need to travel together, so it is now easier to use up several journeys between you.

The second change is that you need to cancel Multilink vehicle bookings with 24 hours notice, rather than with an hour's notice. However, it seems you can still amend bookings so it's not a big deal. I think some people were booking several crossings on the same day and then cancelling the ones they didn't need. 

The first two changes only affect those with an Isle of Wight residence (permanent residents or second home owners).

The third change is to the Multilink foot passenger pass, which is available to anyone - whether you have an Isle of Wight address or just enjoy visiting. So, if you live in Portsmouth and pop over on a sunny day then this deal is for you.

You can now have two names on a Multilink passenger pass instead of one, as long as you are part of the same family.

The minimum number of passes you can buy is 10 singles which are valid for 12 months. So, previously you would need to visit the Isle of Wight five times in a year, whereas now it is two or three times per pass holder.

Let's crunch some numbers for visitors from Portsmouth:

• A day return from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head is £27.40 whilst a standard overnight return is £39. 
• A book of five Multilink returns on the same crossing is £85.
• So, a couple who have two day trips to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth in 2024 will pay £109.60 with the standard fares or £85 with Multilink. They'll also have a spare return available which can be carried over to the next year if they top up.
• A couple who have two overnight visits to the Isle of Wight in 2024 would pay £156 with standard fares of £85 with Multilink (and have a spare return that can be carried over if they top up). 
• In fact, it's only £7 cheaper to buy two overnight return fares to or from the mainland than it is to buy five (£78 compared to £85).

For Isle of Wight residents, it is quite similar:

• Day returns are a bit cheaper from the Isle of Wight, so a couple would pay £93.60 for two day returns or £85 using Multilink (and have one return leftover that can be carried over if topped up within 12 months).
• Overnight returns cost the same whether you are starting from the Isle of Wight or the mainland, so you would pay £156 with standard fares or £85 with Multilink (and have a spare return to be carried over).

It gets a little more complicated once you factor in discounts, concessions and the different fares for the Lymington and Fishbourne ferries. For example:

• From Lymington, a couple would pay £90.40 for two day returns, so they'd make a modest saving compared to Multilink but would have a spare return.
• If the same couple were both over 60 then Multilink isn't worth it for them, as they would pay £17 per crossing, per person, which is the same as the Multilink fare. 
• If they did overnight returns from Lymington, then two returns would cost £129.60, so Multilink is a big saving. 

Anyway, I'll leave you to chew over those numbers.