We’ve rounded up some of the ways Island residents can get the best fares when travelling with us. From selecting the most appropriate fare for your party, to discount schemes and Saver Tickets - read on for ways you can save on your ferry travel. 

Be Flexible

If you can, be flexible with your travel plans. You can often save significantly on fares if you avoid the busiest sailing times and dates – typically commuter times, either side of the weekend and during large events are our busiest crossings. Our journeys are usually less busy early morning (before 8am) or late evening sailings (after 8pm), which means you could benefit from lower fares on these crossings. Also, by being flexible with the length of your stay, you may be able to find cheaper dates and times to travel, for example travelling on the Thursday before, or Tuesday after a Bank Holiday weekend.  Always compare prices across different dates and times, you’ll see the lowest fares for that day are highlighted under the “Saver” column. 

Book in Advance

It can serve you well to book as far in advance as possible. Our fares increase the busier a sailing becomes, like when you book a flight, and so you'll almost always pay more if booking your travel at the last minute. We recommend booking ahead for the journeys you know you’ll need to make, and for peace of mind, add Cancellation Protection to your booking, so that you’ll receive a full refund if your travel plans change. The price of Cancellation Protection varies depending on the value of your booking but starts from just £5.99. 

Big Book of Savings

Our very own voucher booklet, The Big Book of Savings, is released five times a year and delivered to Island households by Royal Mail. Each issue contains handy discounts for vehicle and foot passenger travel, including up to 25% off vehicle crossings, as well as Red Jet and onboard Food & Beverage offers. All households should receive a Big Book automatically, but if you need a copy, simply email your IOW postal address to [email protected] and we’ll send the current issue out to you. 

Island Resident Offer

Year round, Island residents can save 15% on vehicle travel of any duration by using our dedicated Island Resident Offer booking page. The offer is currently in place until 31 December 2024, and you can use it as many times as you like throughout the year against any vehicle ferry fare – even the lowest that day. 

Travel Card

Save 10% on foot passenger fares and up to 20% on vehicle travel by opting for a Travel Card account. By ‘topping up’ your Travel Card, you’ll automatically receive a discount when you make bookings using the funds. Top ups can be purchased in amounts of £250, £500 and £1000, with the level of discount increasing depending on the top-up purchased. Other perks include a 15% discount in our Food & Beverage outlets. Our Travel Card is ideal for regular travellers and commuters. Find more details here.

Youth Fare (16-19yrs)

If you’re aged 16-19, you can purchase a Youth fare and save on your foot passenger travel. This fare is offered exclusively on travel departing the Island and can be purchased online or in East/West Cowes ticket office. Return tickets are £14.90 on either route, while single trips are £12.60 from East Cowes and £14.30 from West Cowes.

Senior Fare (60+yrs)

If you’re over 60, make sure to say so when purchasing your Red Jet tickets in the ticket office as it can save you some cash! A standard Red Jet day return is £20 for seniors, and £14.90 if you’re travelling off peak (after 09:00). Please be prepared to show a form of ID to prove you’re eligible for this fare, this can be formal ID or a Senior Citizen’s bus pass or Senior Railcard. 

Season Tickets

We offer a number of solutions for frequent foot passenger travel, with Season Tickets being the most cost-effective option for daily commuting, with options of 7 or 30 day and 6 or 12 months. The level of savings increases with the length of the Season Ticket purchased, and other perks include a 15% discount in our Food & Beverage outlets and the option to travel with a companion for the Super Off-Peak rate of £12.90pp day return, available from ticket offices.

Saver Tickets

As a more flexible solution for those who travel often, but not every day, Saver Tickets are available for purchase in bundles of 20, 40, 100 or 200. These are individual printed single tickets for foot passengers that are valid for use at any time within 12 months from purchase. Each ticket equals one crossing and the discount increases with the quantity purchased. You’re also welcome to share them with friends and family! Click here for prices and further information. 

Academic Day Returns

Students travelling daily to their place of education can purchase 20 Academic Day Return tickets for £338 (2024/25) – making each day return just £16.90. There are no age restrictions either so mature students can also apply, as long as they’re in full-time education. Tickets are valid from 1 September to 31 July - each academic year. Find more details here.

Railcards

If you have a Railcard and part of your journey is taken on a train, you can purchase your Red Jet and train tickets together at our West Cowes terminal and receive the same level of discount on both journeys that your Railcard would normally provide. It’s also possible to book via third-party sites such as Trainline.com. Please note that there must be a rail element of your journey for the discount to be applied.    

Groups

If you’re travelling in a group of two or more, take advantage of our Super Off-Peak day return rate and travel on foot for just £12.90 per adult and £6.40 per child. The offer is valid every day from 10:55, and tickets can be used on either the Red Jet or vehicle ferry service. 

Families of up to four people (including at least one child) are eligible to purchase a Family Day Return, priced at £44.90 – less than £12 per person. This option is available from 09:00 daily. 

Those travelling in a group of 4 people or more can opt for a Group ticket and save money against standard individual fares, with both Peak and Off-Peak versions available. There is no maximum number of passengers for a group. 

The above tickets are available to buy online, but can also be purchased from our ticket offices and via the Red Funnel app.

NHS Appointments

Island residents travelling to the mainland for NHS appointments can obtain a discounted Red Jet day return rate of £12.40 per adult, or £6.20 per child, by presenting their appointment letter (or other supporting document) in West Cowes ticket office when purchasing their tickets. This extends to 2 passengers, or 3 where the patient is a child. We also offer a 50% discount on vehicle travel for patients. See our Healthcare Travel Scheme for more information. 

Assisted Fares Scheme

Island residents in receipt of tax credits from the IOW Council, or Universal Credit payments from DWP, can apply for our Assisted Fares Scheme. Once approved, the maximum price of a vehicle return is capped at of £59.10 (or 20% off our lowest standard web fares if cheaper). A fixed fare of £12.30 return is also available for travel as a foot passenger between East Cowes and Southampton. The application forms can be found here: IOW Council | Universal Credit

Escorted Children

If you’re travelling to drop off or pick up your children, ask for an ‘Escorted Child ticket’ in East/West Cowes ticket office. The child ticket will then be free of charge, and you need only pay for the adult return. The offer works for up to 2 children (0-12yrs) per travelling adult – you just need to return on the next available sailing. 

Job Seekers Scheme

We’ve teamed up with Jobcentre Plus to help registered unemployed Island residents who are looking for work on the mainland. Enjoy reduced cross-Solent travel costs for up to 18 months – ideal for travel to job interviews or for getting you to work once you find a position. 

The Job Seekers travel scheme is administered by Jobcentre Plus in Newport and Ryde. To apply contact your local Jobcentre Plus. 

Blue Light Card

If you’re a holder of a Blue Light Card, which is a discount scheme for those in the medical and emergency services sectors, you can save 25% on foot passenger fares departing the Isle of Wight. The card holder must be present/travelling and be prepared to show their card at the ticket office.

Blue Badge / Disabled Persons Discount

Those with a Blue Badge issued to them due to disability can save 25% on standard vehicle or foot passenger rates. Simply show your Blue Badge at West Cowes ticket office, or if you’re bringing a vehicle, book online and remember to bring your Blue Badge with you when you travel. Disabled Persons Railcards and Access Cards are also accepted. 

Armed Forces

Any member or veteran of the armed forces or MOD can obtain a discount of 20% when travelling to the mainland, valid against standard fares. For foot passenger travel, show your Defence Discount Card, Veterans Card or current military ID card in the ticket office, or book vehicle travel online.

Electric Vehicles

If you happen to have an EV, you can get 25% off bookings of any duration - perfect for saving your pennies as well as the planet! The offer is valid until 31 December 2024 for use against a fully electric car or small van – book via this link. 

For latest offers, check out our Special Offers page.