Access Keys

Vehicle Ferry service


Southampton <> East Cowes, Isle of Wight


Southampton - East Cowes ferry route

Red Funnel's modern fleet of car ferries operate the sheltered central route to the Isle of Wight between Southampton Docks and East Cowes. The crossing takes 55-60 minutes which means earlybirds can start the day with a famous Red Funnel English Breakfast, a premier coffee and the morning paper.

The service operates all year round including Christmas Day (25 Dec) and is reknowned for its reliability and smoothness - our guests seldom feel seasick!

Booking is child's play too and can be done online, by phone or via your holiday accommodation provider. As we use eTickets, sent to you via email you can book from anywhere in the world at any time. Better still, iPhone, Android and Blackberry Smartphone users can retreive untravelled bookings on their device for true paperless check-in.


Great food and drink - unique to Red Funnel!


ReFuel - the food station

ReFuel Cafe restaurant

ReFuel café restaurants can be found onboard all Red Funnel's vehicle ferries.  It is a modern catering brand offering a delicious range of freshly prepared hot meals, traditional breakfasts, sandwiches, rolls, salads, snacks, fresh baked pastries, cookies and muffins.



Steam Coffee Company Logo - Totally Roasted

Steam Coffee Company

The Steam Coffee Company offers a range of premium coffees made from the finest roasted Arabica beans, fine teas and a selection of deliciously indulgent cakes and pastries.




Quick Facts

  • Service operates: 365 days a year (including Christmas Day)
  • Crossing time: approx 55-60 minutes
  • Speed: 12-14 knots
  • Departures: Every 60 minutes Apr-Oct, every 90 minutes Nov-Mar
  • Reliability: 99.46%
  • Carryings: 1.6 million passengers per annum
  • Capacity: over 200 cars/800 passengers per sailing
  • Booking: fares are cheaper if pre-booked online
  • Onboard facilities: FREE WiFi, Steam Coffee Company, Bar1861 and ReFuel - serving a wide range of hot food including the famous Red Funnel breakfast
  • Red Funnel's vehicle ferries are the largest ships ever to serve the Isle of Wight

Red Funnel address: 12 Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2JY, UK. Email: post@redfunnel.co.uk.

Tel (within UK): 0844 844 9988. Tel (outside UK): 0845 155 2442. Switchboard (within UK): 0844 844 2699. Fax (within UK): 0844 844 2698.

Registered in England: 002404, VAT number: GB 902 873131. All Rights Reserved, © 2012 Red Funnel

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Red Jet Hi-Speed service
Southampton <> West Cowes, Isle of Wight
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Service is operating normally

Passenger Vehicle Ferry service
Southampton <> East Cowes, Isle of Wight
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Service is operating normally

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