Solent crossings to fit your schedule
View and download ferry timetables for both our Vehicle Ferry and Red Jet Hi-Speed services below.
Travel Updates
The Isle of Wight Festival is one of our busiest periods, with high numbers of passengers and vehicles travelling over a short space of time.
If you’re travelling with us during this period, here’s what you need to know before you set off.
Travelling with a vehicle
Sailings are expected to be busy, particularly on peak days.
To help reduce congestion in and around the port, please arrive no more than 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Due to limited space in our marshalling areas, vehicles arriving early may be turned away. If you arrive late, you may need to rebook and travel on a later sailing and availability will be extremely limited.
Our teams will be on hand to guide you through check-in and keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible.
Travelling as a foot passenger (Red Jet)
Our service operates on a first come, first served (and boarded) basis, so we recommend arriving early over IOW Festival weekend, as sailings often reach capacity. When buying tickets online for Red Jet, you’ll select a sailing time – this is for pricing purposes only and does not guarantee space on that sailing.
If you’re travelling with luggage, please allow extra time for boarding.
Bikes and luggage
Due to increased passenger numbers and luggage, space for bikes will be limited, particularly on peak Red Jet sailings.
If you’re travelling with a bike or large items, please allow extra time and be prepared to wait for the next available service if required.
Festival trolleys can be difficult for us to accommodate, so if you’re planning to bring one, you may need to wait for a later sailing when space is available.
Priority for essential travel
Customers travelling for essential reasons, such as residents, commuters or those attending hospital appointments, may be prioritised on selected peak sailings.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure and speak to a member of staff on arrival.
Getting to the festival
Both East Cowes and West Cowes are within easy reach of the festival site.
- Bus: Shuttle buses run between ferry terminals and the festival site
- Water taxi: Services operate from both terminals to Island Harbour (around a 10-minute walk from the campsite)
Further details and timings will be available at the terminals during the event.
Stay up to date
Please check the latest service updates before you travel: redfunnel.co.uk/service
You can also follow updates via the Red Funnel app.
Search Timetables
Enter your expected route and travel date below to search our latest timetable information. For real-time sailing information on the day of travel, go to our service status page.
Vehicle Ferry Service
Southampton (T1) < > East Cowes
Crossing time approx. 1 hour
Download our Vehicle Ferry timetables below:
Red Jet Hi-Speed Service
Southampton (T2) < > West Cowes
Crossing time approx. 28 mins
Download our Red Jet timetables below:
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Points of Interest
On both sides of the Solent, there’s lots to see and do whether you’re crossing for leisure, for work, or simply for a change of scenery. Explore points of interest on the Isle of Wight and in and around Southampton.
Royal Pier Pavilion
This one’s easy to spot as you arrive at our Southampton ferry terminal, particularly at night when it’s lit up in purple lights! When Red Funnel was first formed, we ran a fleet of paddle steamers that operated excursions to destinations around the Island, and along the south coast. These departed from “Royal Pier”, and the impressive pavilion building is still in use as a restaurant.
Ocean Cruise Terminal
This striking landmark on Southampton’s waterfront is where you’ll find some of the world’s largest cruise ships docking. See if you can spot some of the famous Cunard and P&O Cruises vessels as you depart for the Island, and if you’re travelling in the late afternoon/early evening you might even get to sail alongside them as they depart Southampton for their global destinations.
Hythe Pier
The Hythe pier is difficult to miss, as at 640 metres in length, it’s the 7th longest in Britain. It is also the home of the world’s oldest working pier train, which links the village of Hythe and its marina to a small ferry that runs a regular service to the City of Southampton.
Netley Chapel
This striking chapel, on the eastern side of the river, is all that now remains of one of Britain’s first purpose-built hospitals. Constructed for veterans of the Crimean War, the original 220-acre site was the largest of its time but was demolished after a fire in 1966. The site is now open to the public as part of Royal Victoria Country Park.
Calshot Castle
The picturesque Calshot Castle was originally built by Henry VIII to defend the entrance to Southampton waters. As our ferry reaches the Solent, the castle is easily visible at the end of Calshot Spit, which extends from the west into the main waters, with Calshot beach and its long row of beach huts visible further along.
Columbine Building
The striking Columbine building on the East Cowes waterfront has been a central point of Island industry for many years. Starting with Saunders Roe, which was involved in everything from sea planes, hovercrafts, and rockets, and is currently home to Wight Shipyard, which built two of Red Funnel’s Red Jet fleet. When you spot the iconic Union Jack doors, you’ve arrived on the Island!
Other Red Funnel Ferries
Southampton’s waters and the Solent are always busy with shipping movements, not least with our very own Red Funnel fleet. At peak time we will often have our three vehicle ferries, two Hi-Speed passenger ferries, and our freight ferry all out on the water – so watch out for them, and don’t forget to give our other passengers and crew a customary wave!
Cowes Castle
As you approach the Island and arrive at Cowes Harbour, you’ll see another of Henry VIII’s forts, Cowes Castle. The castle is now home and clubhouse to the Royal Yacht Squadron, whose Club organises yacht racing as a principal feature of the now globally famous Cowes Week regatta. Look carefully at the front and you might see the cannons that are used for starting races.