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40 Ways To Save On Isle of Wight Ferry Travel - 2024
**Latest offers: 15% off Red Funnel for residents + 10% off Red Funnel for visitors + 20% off Wightlink during free events**
Here's our guide to finding the best deals on ferry travel to the Isle of Wight. For first time Isle of Wight visitors we also have a beginners' guide. We also have separate guides about cheap foot passenger travel with Wightlink and Red Funnel - and a guide for tourers.
You might also like to read our guides to holiday parks, lodges, posh hotels, glamping, free days out, rainy day activities, days out for teenagers, children and toddlers, best beaches, festivals and attraction discounts.
You might also like to read our guides to holiday parks, lodges, posh hotels, glamping, free days out, rainy day activities, days out for teenagers, children and toddlers, best beaches, festivals and attraction discounts.
This guide covers car ferries and passenger ferries to the glorious Isle of Wight
Which ferry?
Let's start with the basics.
There are six main crossings to and from the Island:
There are six main crossings to and from the Island:
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The three car ferries are
You can also travel as a foot passenger on a car ferry, which is usually cheaper than using a passenger ferry. |
The three foot passenger ferries are:
The Portsmouth Harbour crossing is next to a railway station on both sides of the water. The other two have free bus rides to the nearest train station on the mainland. |
But which is the cheapest ferry to Isle of Wight? The answer largely depends on when you are travelling and which offers are running but here are my favourite ways to save - if you've got any others, please comment at the bottom of the page.
1. Book Red Funnel via this link to save 10%
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You can save 10% all year round with Red Funnel if you use the form on this page or go via this exclusive page.
There will sometimes be better discounts so it's worth having a scroll down to see what else is around (such as Red Funnel's ongoing 15% off for residents). Please share this deal with your chums! |
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2. Check the official offers pages from Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel
All three Isle of Wight ferry companies have 'official' offers and discounts pages on their websites. Most of the deals are mentioned elsewhere on this page, but here are the links if you know which company you want to travel with and want to check if there's anything new:
3. Use a discount code for Wightlink or Red Funnel or Hovertravel
Here's our compilation of all the discount codes and short term offers we can find from Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel. We've also included some temporary deals which don't require a promo code:
- Red Funnel - 15% off car ferry travel. This code works in both directions and seems to work for day returns and overnight journeys. We don't know when this code expires though!
Red Funnel discount code: WINS24 (if you share this code elsewhere, please mention Isle of Wight Guru)
- Red Funnel is offering £12.90 day returns for foot passengers to coincide with various events in 2024. Most of the events have some free activity or other so you aren't obliged to buy any extra tickets to get the cheaper fare.
They also offer 15% - 20% off vehicle day returns on the same dates.
You don't need a discount code, you just need to book via the relevant link for the dates you want to visit. Most offers will get you to the Isle of Wight, but some are offers for Islanders who want to visit mainland events.- The Great Wight Bite (7th - 8th September)
- Southampton International Boat Show (13th - 22nd September) - mainland event.
- Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend (19th - 22nd September)
- Wightrider (bus festival) (12th - 13th October)
- Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival (5th - 13th October)
- Isle of Wight Ukulele Festival (16th - 23th October)
- Fan TC Con (19th October)
- Red Funnel - overnight return for £39.50 if you are driving a Mini. Valid on the 10am or 11am ferry on 21st September 2024, returning on one of four ferry crossings on 22nd September. Yes, it's a slightly random offer. No, you can't turn up in a different type of car.
Red Funnel discount code: no code, book through this page
- Red Funnel - 25% off for electric vehicles until 31 December 2024. Valid for 'fully electric cars and small vans'. It appears to be valid on journeys starting from Southampton or from East Cowes.
Red Funnel discount code: no code, just book via this electric vehicle page
- Red Funnel - 15% off for Isle of Wight residents until 31 December 2024. I don't think you have to prove residency by explaining what 'nipper' 'gert' and 'nammet' means but it's only valid on the car ferry, starting from East Cowes.
Red Funnel discount code: no code, just book via this link (only valid for residents)
- Wightlink is a sponsor of the Isle of Wight's speedway team and offers 20% off for 'speedway travelling fans to and from the Island during the season which runs from June to Sept 2024'. This offer appears on the Wightlink Warriors and Wizards site. When I checked, adult tickets for speedway racing were £14. You could save a lot more than that with this discount!
Wightlink discount code: SP24WWSUPD
- Wightlink is offering 20% off ferry travel for cars, motorbikes and foot passengers to coincide with a number of events. Each one is limited to specific dates but you just have to enter the name of the event in the booking form to get the discount.
For example, if you visit between 18 July and 29 July 2024 then you can get 20% off, as it is coincides with Ventnor Fringe Festival. There are some free events and you don't need to prove you are attending by looking artsy at the ferry check in desk.
The events are mostly for travel to the Island and include:
- Classic Motor Show, between 6 and 9 September 2024
- Wight Bugging, between 12 and 16 September 2024
- Isle of Wight Steampunk Festival, between 19 and 23 September 2024
- Sounds of the 70s with The Zoots, between 20 and 22 September 2024
- Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival, between 4 and 14 October 2024
- West Wight Chilly Hilly, between 7 and 10 December 2024
Wightlink discount code: find the relevant festival on this page for the booking form and discount code
- Wightlink - 10% off vehicle day return ferry travel with Hampshire's Top Attractions until 31 December 2024. You need to register with Hampshire's Top Attractions before you can access the voucher. It's free but you'll be added to their mailing list.
Wightlink discount code: you need to register and download the voucher for yourself
- Wightlink - kids go free as foot passengers during all school holidays with Wightlink in 2024. Valid for 15 year olds and under. Up to two children for one adult paying for a day return. Full terms and conditions and dates from Wightlink.
Wightlink discount code: no code, just book through this Wightlink link or quote the offer at the Wightlink ticket office
If you know of any others, please contact us or leave a comment at the bottom of the page. As much as you may hate getting junk mail, it is worth signing up for mailing lists for Redfunnel and Wightlink as they often send decent vouchers. Wightlink has an online signup at the bottom of their homepage.
Red Funnel also do something called the Big Book of Savings, where Islanders are sent vouchers such as 20% or 15% off overnight ferry fares or day returns for about £60. These can be used by mainlanders for the Isle of Wight ferry as long as they have the unique codes on the vouchers. According to the official marketing website, these are sent out by post in 'February, April, July, September and November'. Other vouchers turn up in random places like the Radio Times.
Red Funnel also do something called the Big Book of Savings, where Islanders are sent vouchers such as 20% or 15% off overnight ferry fares or day returns for about £60. These can be used by mainlanders for the Isle of Wight ferry as long as they have the unique codes on the vouchers. According to the official marketing website, these are sent out by post in 'February, April, July, September and November'. Other vouchers turn up in random places like the Radio Times.
Check out our guide to the best Isle of Wight caravan holiday parks
4. Ask your accommodation provider to book the Isle of Wight ferry for you
Lots of guest houses, hotels and B&Bs on the Isle of Wight have special deals with Red Funnel and Wightlink so they can offer discounted Isle of Wight ferry travel to people staying with them.
For example:
For example:
- Away Resorts offers a big discount on the ferry if you stay at one of their four holiday parks/lodge resorts (Whitecliff Bay, The Bay Colwell, The Lakes Rookley, St Helens).
I checked ferry prices for a week's holiday in August 2024 and found it was £92 via Away Resorts or £252 direct from Red Funnel (ouch!). Whitecliff Bay is a busy holiday park with glamping, lodges and caravans. (**Away Resorts Discount Code: Save 10% via this link with exclusive discount code ISLEGURU10 - expires 31/12/24**).
Booking via accommodation providers - such as Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park - can save you money on the ferry
- Parkdean Resorts has a deal with Wightlink to give you a discount after you've booked. The exact discount varies depending on the dates you are travelling and you can't see the prices until you book. In my experience, you will pay about £60-£140 for a return journey, which works out as about 50-70% cheaper than standard prices. That's just a rough guide and isn't based on official figures.
Parkdean Resorts runs four of the biggest holiday parks on the Isle of Wight including Landguard and Lower Hyde in Shanklin, Nodes Point Holiday Park in St Helens and Thorness Bay Holiday Park which is quite near Cowes. See our guide to holiday parks for more details on facilities and prices.
These lovebirds got a discount on the ferry by booking via Nodes Point Holiday Park
- Warner Leisure offers a maximum ferry fare of £80 return (2024). During high season Isle of Wight ferry prices are much higher that. Click here for more details on their ferry offer. They have two Isle of Wight holiday resorts at Norton Grange (West Wight) and Bembridge Coast (East Wight). Off peak rooms start from about £50 per person. See our comparison of the Warner Leisure resorts on the Isle of Wight.
Visitors to Bembridge Coast Hotel get a massive ferry discount
- HolidayCottages.co.uk gives 20% off Wightlink or Red Funnel if you book one of their cottages. Meanwhile, the National Trust gives you 15% off Wightlink if you book one of the National Trust Isle of Wight holiday cottages. Their quirky selection includes coastguard cottages, beachside farmhouses and a cottage overlooking a neolithic monument called The Longstone.
- BreakFree Holidays can get you 30% off Wightlink fares if you book a holiday with them. They are a big booking agency that works with several holiday parks.
5. Red Funnel's ferry + camping and touring bundle
Red Funnel has a little-known bundle deal that offers outstanding value for people who enjoy camping, motorhome holidays or touring (or can tolerate it to get a cheap holiday).
For example, you can get a five night holiday for a family of four for about £220 during school summer holidays - including ferry travel and a pitch at a holiday park with a swimming pool. That's a billy bargain!
It involves booking a bundle of ferry travel and accommodation at one of four highly-rated campsites/touring/motorhome sites. The slight snag is that you have to choose either three, five or 10 nights and you have to arrive on a fixed list of start dates.
The options are well spread out and include:
For example, I found a five night holiday at Orchards Holiday Park for a family of four for £220 in late July 2024 (during the school holidays). That includes a pitch for a tent or a motorhome, plus return ferry travel. It was an extra £50 to bring my own caravan.
If I booked it all separately, I would have paid more than £500.
As I said, it's a good deal! You can see prices for 2024 here.
For example, you can get a five night holiday for a family of four for about £220 during school summer holidays - including ferry travel and a pitch at a holiday park with a swimming pool. That's a billy bargain!
It involves booking a bundle of ferry travel and accommodation at one of four highly-rated campsites/touring/motorhome sites. The slight snag is that you have to choose either three, five or 10 nights and you have to arrive on a fixed list of start dates.
The options are well spread out and include:
- Appuldurcombe Gardens in the South Wight (outdoor pool, reviews of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor)
- Orchards Holiday Park in West Wight (indoor pool, reviews of 4.5/5)
- Waverley Park in East Cowes (outdoor pool, reviews of 4.5/5)
- Whitefield Forest near Ryde (no pool but reviews of 5/5)
For example, I found a five night holiday at Orchards Holiday Park for a family of four for £220 in late July 2024 (during the school holidays). That includes a pitch for a tent or a motorhome, plus return ferry travel. It was an extra £50 to bring my own caravan.
If I booked it all separately, I would have paid more than £500.
As I said, it's a good deal! You can see prices for 2024 here.
Red Funnel's bundle deal with Waverley Park and other sites is a bargain
There are some other offers and deals for campers and caravanners, but they aren't quite as generous.
Members of the Camping and Caravanning Club get a Wightlink discount of 20% off car journeys or caravan journeys. It is worth noting that you don't need to be pulling a caravan, you just need to be a member.
You can also get up to 50% off bigger motorhomes.
Annual membership starts from about £50. As a rule of thumb, you would probably get that back if you were booking three or more car journeys with Wightlink in a year.
Wightlink operate the Isle of Wight ferry from Portsmouth to Isle of Wight and Lymington to Isle of Wight.
Check out our full guide to cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel for caravans or our guides to holiday parks and Isle of Wight camping.
Members of the Camping and Caravanning Club get a Wightlink discount of 20% off car journeys or caravan journeys. It is worth noting that you don't need to be pulling a caravan, you just need to be a member.
You can also get up to 50% off bigger motorhomes.
Annual membership starts from about £50. As a rule of thumb, you would probably get that back if you were booking three or more car journeys with Wightlink in a year.
Wightlink operate the Isle of Wight ferry from Portsmouth to Isle of Wight and Lymington to Isle of Wight.
Check out our full guide to cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel for caravans or our guides to holiday parks and Isle of Wight camping.
Camping is fun
6. Get 15% off Red Funnel and Wightlink with English Heritage
**English Heritage Discount Code: Save 20% on annual memberships via this link with exclusive code IWGEHMEXC until 31/12/24**
This one takes a little bit of explaining, so stop slouching and pay attention at the back please.
English Heritage members get a 15% discount on Wightlink car ferry bookings and the same discount on Red Funnel car ferry travel. They also get 20% off foot passenger bookings with Wightlink.
The car ferry discount would typically save a family about £15 - £30 on a return ferry to the Isle of Wight, depending on the time of year.
However, English Heritage membership also gives you free entry to Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle, which are two of the most popular Isle of Wight attractions (plus Yarmouth Castle, which is smaller). Family entry for Osborne and Carisbrooke Castle is roughly £90 in total whilst the annual cost of English Heritage family membership is about £120. Membership is cheaper for single parent families and those aged 65+ so it's certainly worth considering.
So, if you plan to a) travel on peak with Wightlink and b) visit both Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle, then it is certainly worth getting English Heritage Membership.
(P.S. Apparently English Heritage Membership can also give you tax relief on your tax return...though you might want to check with an accountant)
English Heritage members get a 15% discount on Wightlink car ferry bookings and the same discount on Red Funnel car ferry travel. They also get 20% off foot passenger bookings with Wightlink.
The car ferry discount would typically save a family about £15 - £30 on a return ferry to the Isle of Wight, depending on the time of year.
However, English Heritage membership also gives you free entry to Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle, which are two of the most popular Isle of Wight attractions (plus Yarmouth Castle, which is smaller). Family entry for Osborne and Carisbrooke Castle is roughly £90 in total whilst the annual cost of English Heritage family membership is about £120. Membership is cheaper for single parent families and those aged 65+ so it's certainly worth considering.
So, if you plan to a) travel on peak with Wightlink and b) visit both Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle, then it is certainly worth getting English Heritage Membership.
(P.S. Apparently English Heritage Membership can also give you tax relief on your tax return...though you might want to check with an accountant)
English Heritage membership gets you a ferry discount and entry to Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne
7. Buy a book of Multilink tickets (for those with an Island Residence)
Wightlink offer a fixed price for taking a car on the ferry for those with an Isle of Wight residence through its Multilink scheme, which means the ferry costs less than £60 return at pretty much any time of year.
Multilink is a little complicated at first, but if you are doing 5 return journeys in one year then you will pay £330, or £66 per return.
The price drops if you travel less often, so people travelling each week will pay about £60 return.
There are some extra bits of small print which make it excellent value.
They are valid for 12 months from the date of top up, so don't buy too many and remember to top up just before it expires!
One thing worth mentioning is that there are a limited number of Multilink spaces on each crossing ("every sailing has...a minimum of 10% space reserved for Multilink Pass holders"). At peak times, you need book early.
If you are on the mainland and travel across regularly you can still travel as a foot passenger and get a good deal - from about £10 per return journey.
It works differently to Red Funnel's Travel Card, which fluctuates with demand (sometimes it works out cheaper, sometimes it is more expensive).
Red Funnel also do a ‘saver’ deal for regular foot passengers that aren’t season ticket holders. If you were to travel once a week on the car ferry (as a foot passenger) it would cost about £12 per return.
(Prices correct 2023). Read our full guide to Multilink or a slightly ranty blog about semi-regular travel costs.
Multilink is a little complicated at first, but if you are doing 5 return journeys in one year then you will pay £330, or £66 per return.
The price drops if you travel less often, so people travelling each week will pay about £60 return.
There are some extra bits of small print which make it excellent value.
- Firstly, you can have two names on the pass, and you don't have to travel together (you just need to live together).
- Secondly, you can claim back 75% of your remaining credit if you don't use it.
- The car deals are available to second home owners (as well as residents). The Isle of Wight doesn't need to be your main residence.
They are valid for 12 months from the date of top up, so don't buy too many and remember to top up just before it expires!
One thing worth mentioning is that there are a limited number of Multilink spaces on each crossing ("every sailing has...a minimum of 10% space reserved for Multilink Pass holders"). At peak times, you need book early.
If you are on the mainland and travel across regularly you can still travel as a foot passenger and get a good deal - from about £10 per return journey.
It works differently to Red Funnel's Travel Card, which fluctuates with demand (sometimes it works out cheaper, sometimes it is more expensive).
Red Funnel also do a ‘saver’ deal for regular foot passengers that aren’t season ticket holders. If you were to travel once a week on the car ferry (as a foot passenger) it would cost about £12 per return.
(Prices correct 2023). Read our full guide to Multilink or a slightly ranty blog about semi-regular travel costs.
8. Use a blue badge
Wightlink offer a discount of between 15% and 25% to disabled travellers with a blue badge, depending on how they're travelling. Islanders get the biggest discount but there is also money off for visitors.
You need to book the Isle of Wight ferry through this link to get the accessible travel/disabled discount.
You need to book the Isle of Wight ferry through this link to get the accessible travel/disabled discount.
9. Hassle-free Discounts for health workers, teachers, carers, charity volunteers and charity workers
There are also several identical-looking discount websites that are all free to join and offer a discount with Wightlink. You get 15% off Wightlink car ferry travel and 20% off foot passenger travel.
These include:
The sign up process is simple and only took me about one minute (I genuinely do a little bit of volunteering for a charity but I don't make a big thing of it because I'm a really humble guy).
I wasn't asked to say which charity I volunteer for or to provide evidence but I would encourage you to only sign up if you are a genuine volunteer, charity worker, carer or teacher.
These include:
- HealthServiceDiscounts.com
- DiscountsForCarers.com
- DiscountsForTeachers.com
- CharityWorkerDiscounts.com (also available to volunteers)
The sign up process is simple and only took me about one minute (I genuinely do a little bit of volunteering for a charity but I don't make a big thing of it because I'm a really humble guy).
I wasn't asked to say which charity I volunteer for or to provide evidence but I would encourage you to only sign up if you are a genuine volunteer, charity worker, carer or teacher.
10. Use Tesco Clubcard points on Wightlink
Wightlink tickets can be bought with Tesco Clubcard points with £10 in Clubcard vouchers worth £20 on the ferry. There are Terms and Conditions from Wightlink but it's still a good deal.
You can book economy car ferry tickets with Tesco vouchers as well as the more expensive 'standard' tickets. Many thanks to Roger for spotting that one and getting in touch.
Here's our ridiculously detailed assessment of the Tesco Clubcard/Wightlink deal. Apparently, it is being prescribed by some GPs to help insomniacs.
It's a less generous scheme than it used to be. At one stage you could swap a £10 Clubcard voucher for £40! Heady days! Of course, in those days you could get a Freddo for 10p and kids played outdoor until the streetlights came on.
You can book economy car ferry tickets with Tesco vouchers as well as the more expensive 'standard' tickets. Many thanks to Roger for spotting that one and getting in touch.
Here's our ridiculously detailed assessment of the Tesco Clubcard/Wightlink deal. Apparently, it is being prescribed by some GPs to help insomniacs.
It's a less generous scheme than it used to be. At one stage you could swap a £10 Clubcard voucher for £40! Heady days! Of course, in those days you could get a Freddo for 10p and kids played outdoor until the streetlights came on.
Isle of Wight self-catering? Try Hoseasons or HolidayCottages.co.uk
11. Travel late in the day
Significant discounts are available if you are flexible enough to travel late at night. I did a price comparison for a week's holiday during August 2024 and found that a car ferry return with Wightlink ranged from a bargain-priced £82 if you travelled at 1am to a nosebleed inducing £239 if you travelled at noon. Similar journeys with Red Funnel ranged from £185 to £252 depending on the time of day (all prices excluded any discount codes or offers from Wightlink or Red Funnel).
It's not practical for everyone but the price difference is often huge so if you are heading from the Isle of Wight, it may even be worth getting a late ferry and then staying in a cheap hotel on the mainland for a night.
Along similar lines, Wightlink has an ongoing discount for motorhomes if you travel off peak. It doesn't require a discount code, but you have to book through this link for motorhomes.
It's not practical for everyone but the price difference is often huge so if you are heading from the Isle of Wight, it may even be worth getting a late ferry and then staying in a cheap hotel on the mainland for a night.
Along similar lines, Wightlink has an ongoing discount for motorhomes if you travel off peak. It doesn't require a discount code, but you have to book through this link for motorhomes.
Catch a summer sunset...and save
12. Find a friend and have a lie in (Foot Passengers Only)
Red Funnel do a bargain day return fare that a lot of people don't know about. You can't book it online, so you need to turn up and ask for it at the ticket office in Cowes or Southampton.
*Whispers* It's called the Super Off-Peak Day Return and it costs less than half of the standard day return fare (about £12 instead of £32).
To qualify you have to a) travel with someone else and b) travel after 10.55am. You could theoretically buddy up with a stranger in the queue, but you need to travel back at the same time as them. I'm currently working on a screenplay where two strangers meet in the queue for the Red Jet and fall in love after a day sightseeing on the Isle of Wight. Any takers?
Thanks for Martin for emailing to highlight that this deal is only available at ticket offices.
Foot passengers on Wightlink get a reduced rate if you leave after noon but it's a much smaller discount. At the time of writing (2023) an Afternoon Flyer costs about £20 compared to about £26 for an adult day return. It can be in either direction. It's cheaper if you travel on the car ferry as a foot passenger rather than on the foot passenger ferry.
*Whispers* It's called the Super Off-Peak Day Return and it costs less than half of the standard day return fare (about £12 instead of £32).
To qualify you have to a) travel with someone else and b) travel after 10.55am. You could theoretically buddy up with a stranger in the queue, but you need to travel back at the same time as them. I'm currently working on a screenplay where two strangers meet in the queue for the Red Jet and fall in love after a day sightseeing on the Isle of Wight. Any takers?
Thanks for Martin for emailing to highlight that this deal is only available at ticket offices.
Foot passengers on Wightlink get a reduced rate if you leave after noon but it's a much smaller discount. At the time of writing (2023) an Afternoon Flyer costs about £20 compared to about £26 for an adult day return. It can be in either direction. It's cheaper if you travel on the car ferry as a foot passenger rather than on the foot passenger ferry.
13. Book a passenger ferry as a train (foot passengers only)
If you are travelling to the Isle of Wight as a foot passenger then it’s possible to book ferry tickets via National Rail and use a railcard for the whole journey.
Your journey also needs to include a train ride, but it only needs to be one stop, so search on sites such as Chiltern Railways that don't charge a booking fee for:
For example, a day return from Portsmouth Harbour railway station to Ryde Esplanade railway station with a 26-30 railcard is about £19. The ferry crossing alone was about £26 if you booked via Wightlink.
Thanks to Tom and Victoria who both got in touch about this deal. If you are doing a combined ticket with the hovercraft then you need to book a seat with Hovertravel once you've booked the train. Thanks to Janet for letting us know about this.
Prices checked in 2023.
Your journey also needs to include a train ride, but it only needs to be one stop, so search on sites such as Chiltern Railways that don't charge a booking fee for:
- Lymington (Town) to Yarmouth
- Southampton Parkway to Cowes East
- Southampton Parkway to Cowes West
- Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Esplanade
For example, a day return from Portsmouth Harbour railway station to Ryde Esplanade railway station with a 26-30 railcard is about £19. The ferry crossing alone was about £26 if you booked via Wightlink.
Thanks to Tom and Victoria who both got in touch about this deal. If you are doing a combined ticket with the hovercraft then you need to book a seat with Hovertravel once you've booked the train. Thanks to Janet for letting us know about this.
Prices checked in 2023.
Looking for Isle of Wight hotels? Try Expedia
14. Join a coach Party!
A bundled deal of a coach journey, ferry ticket and hotel can work out as a cheap way of getting a ferry to Isle of Wight, even if you don't spend any time at the hotel. Off-peak deals are particularly good.
One comparison I looked at found that a three night coach trip to Sandown with half board in December cost almost exactly the same as getting to the Isle of Wight on your own. So the hotel and meals were effectively free for the weekend.
Of course, it won't always be so cheap and you may not fancy a UK beach holiday in December...but you get my point.
Options include Alfa Travel and Just Go! Holidays. See our comparison of coach trips to the Isle of Wight.
One comparison I looked at found that a three night coach trip to Sandown with half board in December cost almost exactly the same as getting to the Isle of Wight on your own. So the hotel and meals were effectively free for the weekend.
Of course, it won't always be so cheap and you may not fancy a UK beach holiday in December...but you get my point.
Options include Alfa Travel and Just Go! Holidays. See our comparison of coach trips to the Isle of Wight.
Coach holidays to the Isle of Wight with Alfa Travel can cost less than a ferry crossing
Have you checked out our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions?
15. Join MyLink (Isle of Wight residents)
Wightlink's loyalty scheme is just for Isle of Wight residents and unlike the Red Funnel scheme (see #31) the deals change from time to time. To give you an idea, at the time of writing the deals are 15% off drinks and about 10% off foot passenger journeys from the Isle of Wight. It's free to join, so probably worth a punt in case they send through some decent deals.
As I've said before, most Isle of Wight residents who want to use Wightlink are best using the Multilink deals. However, very occasional travellers who rarely leave the Island and say things like "I'm not going to that there mainland" might prefer this option.
As I've said before, most Isle of Wight residents who want to use Wightlink are best using the Multilink deals. However, very occasional travellers who rarely leave the Island and say things like "I'm not going to that there mainland" might prefer this option.
16. Book through The AA
AA Members get 15% off with Wightlink, which will probably save you somewhere between £10 and £20 for each journey. You don't seem to be able to combine it with a discount code though. Also, Alistair got in touch to say that it doesn't always work out cheaper than going direct, so it's worth getting a couple of quotes.
That reminds me, I saw an AA recovery driver crying at the side of the road the other day. "He's heading for a breakdown" I quipped to my wife. Ha! Geddit?
That reminds me, I saw an AA recovery driver crying at the side of the road the other day. "He's heading for a breakdown" I quipped to my wife. Ha! Geddit?
17. Avoid travelling on a summer Saturday...if possible
Obviously, you may be tied by when your accommodation is available if you are visiting the Island but if you have the luxury of flexibility then it's best to avoid Saturdays during high season. This only applies to the Isle of Wight car ferry because foot passenger fares don't fluctuate as much.
In a price comparison that I did, a Saturday to Saturday lunchtime return in August 2024 with Red Funnel was £252, compared to £189 for a Sunday to Sunday booking (excluding the 10% off that you can get with the booking widget at the top of this page). That's a saving of £63.
A similar journey with Wightlink was £239 for Saturday to Saturday or £204 for Sunday to Sunday. That's a saving of £35.
It's also worth avoiding major events and festivals (unless you're attending of course...), such as the Monday after the Isle of Wight Festival in June as prices tend to go up a fair bit once early bird deals have ended.
In a price comparison that I did, a Saturday to Saturday lunchtime return in August 2024 with Red Funnel was £252, compared to £189 for a Sunday to Sunday booking (excluding the 10% off that you can get with the booking widget at the top of this page). That's a saving of £63.
A similar journey with Wightlink was £239 for Saturday to Saturday or £204 for Sunday to Sunday. That's a saving of £35.
It's also worth avoiding major events and festivals (unless you're attending of course...), such as the Monday after the Isle of Wight Festival in June as prices tend to go up a fair bit once early bird deals have ended.
Avoid major events...unless you have a ticket
18. Take the car ferry..even if you don't have a car (foot passengers only)
Generally speaking, it is cheaper for a foot passenger to take the Isle of Wight car ferry - although be aware that the crossings end up in different parts of the Island!
On Wightlink, a peak day return is about £25 for a foot passenger on the fast boat to Ryde Pierhead, or about £21 on the slower boat to Fishbourne (prices for 2023).
On Red Funnel, a peak day return for a foot passenger on the car ferry is £22 compared to £32 on the Red Jet foot passenger ferry.
Admittedly the Isle of Wight car ferry takes longer than the foot passenger ferry...but just think of it as a luxury cruise. Try not to blow your savings on a jumbo sausage roll onboard.
On Wightlink, a peak day return is about £25 for a foot passenger on the fast boat to Ryde Pierhead, or about £21 on the slower boat to Fishbourne (prices for 2023).
On Red Funnel, a peak day return for a foot passenger on the car ferry is £22 compared to £32 on the Red Jet foot passenger ferry.
Admittedly the Isle of Wight car ferry takes longer than the foot passenger ferry...but just think of it as a luxury cruise. Try not to blow your savings on a jumbo sausage roll onboard.
Enjoy the slower pace and lower price of the car ferry!
Have you seen our guide to 10 of the best Isle of Wight caravan holiday parks?
19. Book an attraction at the same time
Red Funnel do bundle deals of ferry travel + attraction tickets that can occasionally be cheaper than just booking a ferry.
For example, I was quoted £51 for a day return with one ticket to Dinosaur Isle, or £55 for a day return without a ticket to Dinosaur Isle.
This is because the ferry ticket comes with 15% off and the Dinosaur Isle ticket comes with 25% off when you book them together.
There will often be a better Red Funnel discount available, but it can be a simple way to save a few pounds.
For example, I was quoted £51 for a day return with one ticket to Dinosaur Isle, or £55 for a day return without a ticket to Dinosaur Isle.
This is because the ferry ticket comes with 15% off and the Dinosaur Isle ticket comes with 25% off when you book them together.
There will often be a better Red Funnel discount available, but it can be a simple way to save a few pounds.
20. Get a discount for hospital visits (for Islanders only)
Not relevant for Isle of Wight visitors as this is only for getting off the Island, but Wightlink have a good deal if you are taking a car to the mainland for hospital visits. The maximum you will pay is £70. You can pay £35 for a single fare with a car or you can get 50% off.
Hovertravel also do a discount scheme for hospital visits.
Red Funnel do a fixed price foot passenger deal for hospital appointments in Southampton of about £12.
Hovertravel also do a discount scheme for hospital visits.
Red Funnel do a fixed price foot passenger deal for hospital appointments in Southampton of about £12.
21. Buy a Red Funnel Travel Card (for regular travellers)
This one requires significant investment but is worthwhile for some.
If you pay £1000 into a Red Funnel Travel Card ‘Account’ then you are entitled to up to 20% off ferry bookings until the money runs out. It's best not to top up until you've spent all the money, or you get a smaller discount.
The discount can’t be used alongside another voucher unfortunately, but you can also book ferries for family through this scheme.
If you pay £1000 into a Red Funnel Travel Card ‘Account’ then you are entitled to up to 20% off ferry bookings until the money runs out. It's best not to top up until you've spent all the money, or you get a smaller discount.
The discount can’t be used alongside another voucher unfortunately, but you can also book ferries for family through this scheme.
22. Size matters if you have a van
Wightlink Ferries and Red Funnel Ferries have different policies on vehicle size. Wightlink's standard fare applies to any vehicle under 5 metres, even if it's a van. Red Funnel has a different policy where you pay depending on the type of vehicle - which can usually be up to 5.5 metres long.
It's all rather complicated but it seems to me that if you own a van which is under 5 metres then you are likely to get a good price from Wightlink. If it is just over 5 metres, then you might be better with Red Funnel.
Very few cars driven in the UK are over 5 metres long so the different policies are unlikely to affect car drivers. If you have a Rolls Royce Ghost (5.4 metres long) then you can probably afford the ferry, or you may have a yacht.
The exception might be if you carry bikes on the back of your car. Luckily for me, my bike carrier takes my car length to 498cm long - 2cm short of the Wightlink limit for standard fares.
It's all rather complicated but it seems to me that if you own a van which is under 5 metres then you are likely to get a good price from Wightlink. If it is just over 5 metres, then you might be better with Red Funnel.
Very few cars driven in the UK are over 5 metres long so the different policies are unlikely to affect car drivers. If you have a Rolls Royce Ghost (5.4 metres long) then you can probably afford the ferry, or you may have a yacht.
The exception might be if you carry bikes on the back of your car. Luckily for me, my bike carrier takes my car length to 498cm long - 2cm short of the Wightlink limit for standard fares.
23. Get a family foot passenger ticket
Many years ago I wrote a (hilarious) letter to the Isle of Wight County Press complaining that it was sometimes cheaper for a car and four people to travel across to the mainland than it was for four foot passengers. I asked Wightlink if we would be able to book as a car despite not having a vehicle if we agreed to sit in neat rows and squat as we boarded the ferry. The answer was no but I was the talk of the village for my witty letter. Well, the vicar's wife said she'd read it.
I like to think such campaigning led to the ferry companies introducing deals for small groups and families, although it's possible that it was unrelated.
I like to think such campaigning led to the ferry companies introducing deals for small groups and families, although it's possible that it was unrelated.
- Hovertravel do family tickets for up to 5 people if you travel off peak and book a couple of days in advance. When I checked it was £60 for a day return and £85 for a period return, with various restrictions that are too boring to go into.
- Wightlink offer family return tickets for up to 5 foot passengers. The price varies depending how long you are staying for and what time of day you are travelling. When I checked, a family day return was £53-61.
- Red Funnel offer various options most of which are for 4+ people with discounts of about 25%. For example, they do a family day return ticket for up to 4 people for about £43.
24. Stay for four nights rather than five
For some reason, Red Funnel and Wightlink both charge more for the Isle of Wight car ferry if you are away for five nights rather than four nights.
For example, when I looked at prices for mid September 2024, a four-night return with Wightlink was £197 whilst five nights was £215. With Red Funnel, it was £154 for a shorter break or £176 for a longer break. Those prices are for lunchtime crossings - you can save money by travelling earlier or later.
Once you get past five nights the prices level off.
I admit that's not a great help if you have accommodation booked for a week, but it helps Islanders who want to persuade an unwelcome guest to shorten their holiday.
For example, when I looked at prices for mid September 2024, a four-night return with Wightlink was £197 whilst five nights was £215. With Red Funnel, it was £154 for a shorter break or £176 for a longer break. Those prices are for lunchtime crossings - you can save money by travelling earlier or later.
Once you get past five nights the prices level off.
I admit that's not a great help if you have accommodation booked for a week, but it helps Islanders who want to persuade an unwelcome guest to shorten their holiday.
25. Claim back your fare if the ferry is late
Many people don't realise that you are entitled to compensation if your journey across the Solent is significantly delayed. The rules say that you can get 25% back if your ferry arrives more than an hour late, or 50% if it is two hours late.
However, there is small print to read that says you won’t get a penny back if the delay was caused by ‘weather conditions endangering the safe operation of the ship’ or ‘extraordinary circumstances’ affecting a passenger ferry.
Read our full guide to claiming compensation if your ferry is late.
Here's a direct link to the compensation page on the Wightlink website and a similar page from Red Funnel.
However, there is small print to read that says you won’t get a penny back if the delay was caused by ‘weather conditions endangering the safe operation of the ship’ or ‘extraordinary circumstances’ affecting a passenger ferry.
Read our full guide to claiming compensation if your ferry is late.
Here's a direct link to the compensation page on the Wightlink website and a similar page from Red Funnel.
26. Charities and other organisations
As part of their 'corporate social responsibility', Wightlink sponsor some charities and other organisations. There's obviously no guarantee, but if you are an Isle of Wight organisation then there is an application form you can fill in.
Red Funnel has a similar community scheme.
Red Funnel has a similar community scheme.
27. Book online and in advance for car ferry journeys
Most Red Funnel car ferry journeys incur an extra charge of £5 if booked on the phone or in person. Red Funnel also say that on the day bookings cost more. Wightlink charge £10 for in person bookings, and £5 for telephone bookings. Foot passengers can just turn up and pay the same price (although there are other discounts to be had for advance purchase, such as the Railcard discount mentioned higher up the page in this guide).
I have found both companies to be very accommodating if you either miss your ferry by an hour, or turn up early - although there's never any guarantee that they'll put you on the next crossing of course, particularly during high season.
It's also worth realising that Red Funnel and Wightlink uses a similar pricing structure to some airlines, where the first few tickets are the cheapest and then the price gradually goes up as the ferry fills up. We wrote a blog testing out whether it was best to buy in advance and found that prices do increase over time, but that sometimes you are better to wait for a discount code to appear.
Red Funnel do a 'payment plan' where you can book early and just pay the first £25, so that you get the cheap ferry but don't hand over your money until nearer the time.
As mentioned earlier, there's not much benefit to booking the foot passenger ferry online in advance. In fact, Red Funnel's Super Off Peak Day Return isn't available online and it's one of their best deals (see #12).
I have found both companies to be very accommodating if you either miss your ferry by an hour, or turn up early - although there's never any guarantee that they'll put you on the next crossing of course, particularly during high season.
It's also worth realising that Red Funnel and Wightlink uses a similar pricing structure to some airlines, where the first few tickets are the cheapest and then the price gradually goes up as the ferry fills up. We wrote a blog testing out whether it was best to buy in advance and found that prices do increase over time, but that sometimes you are better to wait for a discount code to appear.
Red Funnel do a 'payment plan' where you can book early and just pay the first £25, so that you get the cheap ferry but don't hand over your money until nearer the time.
As mentioned earlier, there's not much benefit to booking the foot passenger ferry online in advance. In fact, Red Funnel's Super Off Peak Day Return isn't available online and it's one of their best deals (see #12).
28. Get a blue card for Hovertravel (Island Residents)
Isle of Wight Residents can get 'over 30%' off the Hovercraft by applying for a Blue Card. It's free, which is my favourite price.
29. Buy a season ticket (commuters)
Obviously, this only applies to very regular travellers (probably commuters) but I thought it was worth a bit of number crunching for those deciding if it is worth getting a season ticket. If Rachel Riley happens to be reading and wants to correct my maths, then please get in touch.
For Red Funnel travellers in 2023, an adult season ticket for the Red Jet (foot passenger ferry) costs £2954. Alternatively, a book of 100 single tickets (50 returns) will cost £1079 or £21.58 per return. By my calculations, if you are travelling more than 136 times in a year, it is better value to buy a season ticket than to buy books of 100 tickets. So, if you are managing three returns in a week (and plan to do so for a year) then I would go for it.
For Wightlink travellers in 2023, an adult season ticket for the Catamaran (foot passenger ferry) costs £1900. Alternatively, a book of 60 single tickets (30 returns) will cost £342 or £11.40 per return. By my calculations, if you are travelling more than 166 times in a year then a season ticket is better value than books of tickets. That would mean that you need to be travelling across four days a week to make a season ticket your best bet.
For Hovertravel travellers in 2023, an adult season ticket on the Hovercraft cost £1950. Alternatively, 250 single tickets (125 returns with a 1 year validity) costs £1250 or £10 per return. By my calculations, it is worth getting a season ticket if you manage about 195 or more journeys in a year, so pretty much 5 days a week once you factor in holidays etc. The Hovertravel season tickets and bundles of 250 tickets come with some free 'appreciation vouchers' which gives you some extra free journeys. We haven't included those in the calculation as it made my head hurt.
For Red Funnel travellers in 2023, an adult season ticket for the Red Jet (foot passenger ferry) costs £2954. Alternatively, a book of 100 single tickets (50 returns) will cost £1079 or £21.58 per return. By my calculations, if you are travelling more than 136 times in a year, it is better value to buy a season ticket than to buy books of 100 tickets. So, if you are managing three returns in a week (and plan to do so for a year) then I would go for it.
For Wightlink travellers in 2023, an adult season ticket for the Catamaran (foot passenger ferry) costs £1900. Alternatively, a book of 60 single tickets (30 returns) will cost £342 or £11.40 per return. By my calculations, if you are travelling more than 166 times in a year then a season ticket is better value than books of tickets. That would mean that you need to be travelling across four days a week to make a season ticket your best bet.
For Hovertravel travellers in 2023, an adult season ticket on the Hovercraft cost £1950. Alternatively, 250 single tickets (125 returns with a 1 year validity) costs £1250 or £10 per return. By my calculations, it is worth getting a season ticket if you manage about 195 or more journeys in a year, so pretty much 5 days a week once you factor in holidays etc. The Hovertravel season tickets and bundles of 250 tickets come with some free 'appreciation vouchers' which gives you some extra free journeys. We haven't included those in the calculation as it made my head hurt.
30. Book Wightlink via Quidco or Topcashback
If you book Wightlink via cashback site Quidco, you'll get 4% of the fare back. Cashback sites take quite a long time to pay up, but they're a great way to make money back on all kinds of things online. You don't pay any extra for your ferry booking, you just book it as normal and then eventually (usually after a couple of months) they'll pay 4% back into your bank account. Quidco Premium costs you £5 per year, but they take it out of your earnings on the site, so you're never out of pocket.
Similarly, if you sign up for cashback site Topcashback you'll get 4% of the fare back into your account. It won't cost you any more than the standard price, although it does take a few weeks for the money to clear.
You sometimes don't get the cashback if you also use a discount code.
Similarly, if you sign up for cashback site Topcashback you'll get 4% of the fare back into your account. It won't cost you any more than the standard price, although it does take a few weeks for the money to clear.
You sometimes don't get the cashback if you also use a discount code.
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31. Blag a free lift via a car share group
Wightlink and Red Funnel charge the same to transport a car full of people as they do for a car with just a driver.
As a result, some people offer up free seats via an unofficial liftshare group on Facebook. This option is mostly used by Islanders with messages along the lines of "I have two spare seats in my car on the Lymington to Yarmouth crossing at 8am on Thursday".
Needless to say there are risks with jumping in a stranger's car. Also, remember to take a handkerchief and give your mum three rings when you get home.
It's less likely that you'll find a lift for a holiday to the Isle of Wight, as people tend to arrive with a car full of stuff. However, it may be worth a look if you are travelling to a big event like Cowes Week.
There is also a more official looking carshare website called Blablacar but they didn't have any journeys to the Isle of Wight, when I checked.
As a result, some people offer up free seats via an unofficial liftshare group on Facebook. This option is mostly used by Islanders with messages along the lines of "I have two spare seats in my car on the Lymington to Yarmouth crossing at 8am on Thursday".
Needless to say there are risks with jumping in a stranger's car. Also, remember to take a handkerchief and give your mum three rings when you get home.
It's less likely that you'll find a lift for a holiday to the Isle of Wight, as people tend to arrive with a car full of stuff. However, it may be worth a look if you are travelling to a big event like Cowes Week.
There is also a more official looking carshare website called Blablacar but they didn't have any journeys to the Isle of Wight, when I checked.
32. Join My Red Funnel Rewards
Red Funnel launched a loyalty scheme in 2015. Our team of 12 highly paid lawyers checked the smallprint to see if it is any good. It is free to join, and you then receive 4 points for every £1 you spend if you are a mainland resident or 5 points for every £1 if you are an Isle of Wight resident. Each point is worth 1p.
You can spend your points on your next booking or you can blow it all at the onboard café.
So in summary, it is worth 4% to mainlanders or 5% to Islanders. If you spend £100, you'll get either £4 or £5 to spend on future Red Funnel costs.
Read more about the Red Funnel loyalty scheme in our blog.
You can spend your points on your next booking or you can blow it all at the onboard café.
So in summary, it is worth 4% to mainlanders or 5% to Islanders. If you spend £100, you'll get either £4 or £5 to spend on future Red Funnel costs.
Read more about the Red Funnel loyalty scheme in our blog.
33. Book your ferry via National Express
If you own a National Express Coachcard, you can get a through ticket which includes the ferry to the Isle of Wight (search for Ryde or Cowes). It sometimes works out as cheaper than buying individual journeys as the third off seems to be applied to the whole journey, although it's worth trying tickets with or without the ferry. Thanks to The Deal Hunter for telling us about this one.
34. Join the Royal Solent Yacht Club or the Royal Yachting Association
If you are a member of the Royal Solent Yacht Club you can get a discount off the East Cowes to Southampton Red Funnel car ferry and they also do special rates for Wightlink.
Equally, members of the Royal Yachting Association get a discount, which at the time of writing is 10% with Red Funnel.
Although, if you are in a yacht club couldn't you just sail your yacht across?
Equally, members of the Royal Yachting Association get a discount, which at the time of writing is 10% with Red Funnel.
Although, if you are in a yacht club couldn't you just sail your yacht across?
35. Join the army or the NHS or The Civil Service
I would advise against joining the military just for the ferry discount, but if you have military ID anyway then you can get 15% off from the mainland or 20% off from the Isle of Wight with Red Funnel.
Similarly, if you work for the NHS and have access to the Health Service Discounts website then you can get 15% off Wightlink's car ferry or 20% off foot passenger fares. Thanks to Michael for getting in touch and letting us know about that discount.
If you're a civil servant or retired civil servant you can get the same 15/20% Wightlink discount if you're a member of CSMA. When I checked, it was £29 to join. Thanks to Andy for telling us about this one.
Members of CSSC can get a discount with Red Funnel. I'm not exactly sure how much you get off, but it's up to 20%. Membership is open to 'the entire public sector' and costs about £50 a year (although there are lots of other discounts alongside the Red Funnel one).
Similarly, if you work for the NHS and have access to the Health Service Discounts website then you can get 15% off Wightlink's car ferry or 20% off foot passenger fares. Thanks to Michael for getting in touch and letting us know about that discount.
If you're a civil servant or retired civil servant you can get the same 15/20% Wightlink discount if you're a member of CSMA. When I checked, it was £29 to join. Thanks to Andy for telling us about this one.
Members of CSSC can get a discount with Red Funnel. I'm not exactly sure how much you get off, but it's up to 20%. Membership is open to 'the entire public sector' and costs about £50 a year (although there are lots of other discounts alongside the Red Funnel one).
36. Book through a third party
I've put this one low down as I've not generally found this to be any cheaper than going direct. See our blog for a comparison.
However, there are several ferry booking websites such as AFerry that include Wightlink crossings. These third party ferries do offers and give CashBack so you might find that it works out slightly cheaper.
However, there are several ferry booking websites such as AFerry that include Wightlink crossings. These third party ferries do offers and give CashBack so you might find that it works out slightly cheaper.
37. Book your ferry via a self catering cottage company
Some of the big name self-catering cottage companies can wangle you a discount on the Isle of Wight ferry.
For example, Classic Cottages and HolidayCottages.co.uk will both get you a code for money off the ferry.
For example, Classic Cottages and HolidayCottages.co.uk will both get you a code for money off the ferry.
38. Solent and Wightline Cruises (From the Isle of Wight) or Blue Funnel (from Southampton) or Coral Star (From Lymington)
Red Funnel, Wightlink and Hover Travel aren't the only options for Islanders.
Solent Cruises offer a 6-hour shopping day out from Cowes to Portsmouth on Saturdays and Sundays for £10. It takes an hour (so quite slow) and always leaves the Island at 9.30am, whether you like it or not. The return time varies depending on the time of year.
However, there is a cunning little loophole for true bargain hunters. Solent Cruises are happy for people to use the crossing as two singles taken a day or a week apart. For example, you could travel from Portsmouth to Cowes on a Saturday tea time and then return to the mainland a week later on a Saturday morning for £10. They confirmed with us that they are happy for people to do this but you will need to let them know that you plan to do this (read the blog for more details).
Meanwhile, there is a company called Blue Funnel which does day trips to the Isle of Wight from Southampton. They only run occasionally but when I checked they included a coach tour round the Isle of Wight and a cream tea! The price was £43 for an adult in 2023.
Visitors from Lymington might also consider catching the Coral Star, which carries foot passengers across to Yarmouth. When I checked, it was £20 return, which isn't actually all that different from the Wightlink price.
Solent Cruises offer a 6-hour shopping day out from Cowes to Portsmouth on Saturdays and Sundays for £10. It takes an hour (so quite slow) and always leaves the Island at 9.30am, whether you like it or not. The return time varies depending on the time of year.
However, there is a cunning little loophole for true bargain hunters. Solent Cruises are happy for people to use the crossing as two singles taken a day or a week apart. For example, you could travel from Portsmouth to Cowes on a Saturday tea time and then return to the mainland a week later on a Saturday morning for £10. They confirmed with us that they are happy for people to do this but you will need to let them know that you plan to do this (read the blog for more details).
Meanwhile, there is a company called Blue Funnel which does day trips to the Isle of Wight from Southampton. They only run occasionally but when I checked they included a coach tour round the Isle of Wight and a cream tea! The price was £43 for an adult in 2023.
Visitors from Lymington might also consider catching the Coral Star, which carries foot passengers across to Yarmouth. When I checked, it was £20 return, which isn't actually all that different from the Wightlink price.
39. Ferry discounts for Isle of Wight residents on low incomes
Back in 2018, the ferry operators and the Isle of Wight council created a discount scheme for Isle of Wight residents on low incomes.
Each ferry operator runs it slightly differently - some require proof of Universal Credit, others ask for proof of Housing Benefit. The full details of who qualifies can be found on this blog post. There are about 14,000 people who qualify, which is about 10% of the Isle of Wight population.
You need to apply to join the scheme with Red Funnel and Wightlink and then you can book once you've been accepted. It's slightly different with Hovertravel, as you just need to show proof for each journey.
The savings can be pretty considerable, especially if you are travelling at peak time. As of 2024, it costs a maximum of £59 for a return car journey with Red Funnel or £11.80 for a foot passenger. They call it the Assisted Fares Scheme.
Wightlink offer a similar scheme and call it the Discounted Fares Scheme. I couldn't see prices on the website.
Hovertravel call it the IOW Council Affordable Fares scheme and offer foot passenger prices that are roughly half price (£15.50 at the time of writing).
Each ferry operator runs it slightly differently - some require proof of Universal Credit, others ask for proof of Housing Benefit. The full details of who qualifies can be found on this blog post. There are about 14,000 people who qualify, which is about 10% of the Isle of Wight population.
You need to apply to join the scheme with Red Funnel and Wightlink and then you can book once you've been accepted. It's slightly different with Hovertravel, as you just need to show proof for each journey.
The savings can be pretty considerable, especially if you are travelling at peak time. As of 2024, it costs a maximum of £59 for a return car journey with Red Funnel or £11.80 for a foot passenger. They call it the Assisted Fares Scheme.
Wightlink offer a similar scheme and call it the Discounted Fares Scheme. I couldn't see prices on the website.
Hovertravel call it the IOW Council Affordable Fares scheme and offer foot passenger prices that are roughly half price (£15.50 at the time of writing).
40. Hire a car
It is occasionally cheaper to travel as a foot passenger and then hire a car on the Isle of Wight.
Here's my example.
Option 1:
So, in this scenario you'd save £62.50 by hiring a car and travelling as a foot passenger. A couple would make a modest saving of about £30 as they'd pay about £32 extra for the ferry and bus. The saving would be more significant if you got the train to Portsmouth Harbour.
Here's my example.
Option 1:
- I searched for the cost of a single person travelling with Wightlink from Portsmouth to Fishbourne in August 2022. The economy fare was £249.50. This isn't a typical fare, but it was a week's visit on consecutive Saturday lunchtimes.
- Total cost: £249.50
- Travelling as a foot passenger on the same ferry was £26 return.
- Hiring a car for 7 days from Enterprise in Newport was £120, when I searched. Well, that was actually a small van but this is a budget guide after all. You might look like Postman Pat but you'll be saving some money. The cheapest car was about £15 extra.
- You'll need to get the bus to Newport to pick it up. It will cost you about £6 return. There are other hire car companies on our public transport page.
- You'll need to park in Portsmouth for a week, unless you are getting the train. I looked on Just Park and found a parking space for £35 for 7 days which was 10 minutes' walk from the ferry.
- Total cost: £187
So, in this scenario you'd save £62.50 by hiring a car and travelling as a foot passenger. A couple would make a modest saving of about £30 as they'd pay about £32 extra for the ferry and bus. The saving would be more significant if you got the train to Portsmouth Harbour.
*A WORD ON THE COST OF ISLE OF WIGHT FERRIES
It is worth noting that the old story that the Solent is the 'most expensive crossing in the world' is not true. However, it is more expensive than some comparable crossings. See our blog about it.
We've also written a blog to show how some ferry prices increased between 2013 and 2023.
We've also written a blog to show how some ferry prices increased between 2013 and 2023.
