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Vehicle Ferries
To / from the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight Car Ferry
At Red Funnel, we have 160 years of experience transporting passengers across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. We operate all year round, so you can visit the Island whenever it suits you, and offer transport to both foot passengers and those wanting to take a car, so if you choose to bring a vehicle and book our Isle of Wight car ferry, you have even more freedom to explore the Island.
Searching for our Hi-speed Foot Passenger service? Go to the Red Jet page for all the information and links to buy tickets for our hi-speed ferry.
Crossing the Solent in your car
On your day of travel, you will need to arrive at our Southampton T1 or East Cowes Terminals between 30 and 45 minutes (Fri, Sat & Mon) or 30 and 60 minutes (all other days) before your departure. Upon arrival, the check in booth will scan your tickets if you’ve pre-booked, or alternatively, you can find out if there’s space on the next sailing to buy a ticket and proceed (we always recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially at peak times).
You’ll then be directed to one of the pre-boarding lanes before embarking on the car ferry. When you are instructed to drive onto the ferry, staff members will show you where to park. Once all the vehicles are loaded, you’ll be able to exit your car and enjoy the refreshments and views whilst you cross the Channel.
See below for additional information, including directions, for our ferry terminals.
Red Funnel Car Ferry Bookings
We recommend booking online in advance of your sailing, both to guarantee a space, and to ensure you get the best rates, which will be better value the further ahead you book. You can use our simple online booking system to choose your travel type and dates and who will be accompanying you. Our booking system will ask you to provide details about your car, as we need to ensure that all cars booked to travel on that date can board the car ferry.
Tip for hassle-free travel: Ensure you enter the correct number of passengers when completing your booking. If you arrive with more passengers, you may need to pay a fee, or you may not be permitted to travel due to maximum numbers on the vessel.
Meet the Fleet
We have three Raptor Class ro-pax ferries on our cross-Solent route, which have all undergone complete interior refits in the last 7 years, meaning a consistent level of comfort and style across all our passenger lounges.
Find out more about our ships below:
Booking a trip on our vehicle ferry makes it easier to explore attractions on the Island
Having a car when visiting the Isle of Wight makes life much more convenient when it comes to visiting multiple attractions. It gives you the freedom to achieve loads during your stay. For example you might want to spend the morning exploring the rides, dinosaurs and playgrounds at Blackgang Chine along the south of the island, before heading west for the afternoon to Freshwater Bay, where there’s a lovely beach and some memorable clifftop walks.
Planning on visiting any attractions during your visit? Buy your Isle of Wight attraction tickets with Red Funnel, and you could save up to 25% on entry plus 15% off travel when purchased together.
Our Isle of Wight guide is full to the brim with information to help you plan your stay. From beaches and unmissable places to visit through to wonderful places to stay, outdoor activities and more, you can build the perfect itinerary which is suited to you and your family.
Explore the Island through our guide.
Top 5 reasons to book an Isle of Wight car ferry for your next trip
- It’s incredibly easy to book our car ferry using our online booking system
- Our prices are competitive, and you can bring up to 7 passengers with you in your vehicle for the same rate
- Hopping aboard our car ferry with your vehicle in tow means you can explore the Island until your heart’s content, without any travel hiccups
- The crossing takes 55-60 minutes, giving you enough time to kick back and relax before you arrive on the Island
- We offer a variety of deals, discounts and special offers for travel too – not just for your ferry ride, but also on holidays, attractions and more
If you have any questions about travelling to the Isle of Wight with your car, consult our FAQs or give us a call on 02380 248500.