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the inside of east cowes terminal

East Cowes Terminal

For passengers and vehicles travelling to Southampton

East Cowes Terminal services vehicles, passengers and cyclists crossing the Solent from the Isle of Wight to Southampton. At our East Cowes Terminal you'll find facilities including a waiting room, toilets, vending machines for drinks and snacks, literature for Isle of Wight days out, and journey information. We also have a snack shack open seasonally from March to October, with views over Cowes Harbour.

The terminal is accessible 24 hours a day, with our ticket office open 7 days a week, for any questions or help with your journey (see below for opening times). There are ticket machines available to purchase foot passenger tickets out of hours.

Sat Nav Postcode: PO32 6RA (please use this instead of terminal address for vehicle check-in)

what3words (for terminal): ///dupe.expect.violin

what3words (for vehicle check-in): ///pods.divisions.cashew

Address

Trinity Road
East Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO32 6RF

Opening Times

East Cowes Ticket Office:
Monday-Sunday 0900-1700

Foot passengers, please check in 10 to 60 minutes prior to departure. Vehicles should check in 30-45 minutes early (Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays) and 30-60 minutes before departure (Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.) 

  • Ticket & booking office - offering ferry tickets and through-tickets for rail & National Express coach services
  • Self-service ticket machines - offering ferry and through-rail tickets
  • Waiting area with tables & chairs and real-time travel information
  • Free WiFi
  • Visitor information
  • Toilets
  • Vending machines
  • Luggage trolleys
  • Accessibility - suitable for wheelchairs (several available), handrails provided on ramped entrances & walkways, disabled toilet facilities. If you require assistance, please make a member of assistance aware and we will assist if possible. 

Sat Nav: PO32 6RA

From Newport

  • Take the A3021 to East Cowes (allow 15 minutes) or the A3020 to West Cowes where you will need to use the floating bridge accross the river to East Cowes (see below).

From Ryde

  • Travel west on the A3054 towards Newport, at the roundabout take the A3021 to East Cowes.

From Yarmouth

  • Travel east on the A3054 towards Ryde, at the roundabout turn left and take the A3021 to East Cowes.

Floating Bridge: Operates between West and East Cowes 7 days a week. Carries passengers (£1 return) and vehicles up to large vans, minibuses and pick-ups. Only 12 minute walk from Red Funnel's West Cowes terminal, 2 minute walk from the East Cowes terminal. Allow 15-20 minutes to cross.

The nearest long stay car park is at Well Road, approximately 500ft from our East Cowes terminal

On street parking is available in York Avenue, on the Esplanade and in various other streets in the town.

There is also limited parking at the terminal accessed via Dover Road for dropping off or collecting passengers (waiting time 20 minutes - enforced 24/7). There are two dedicated parking spaces for hospital visits only, these MUST be pre-booked in advance and customers are not able to arrive without booking. 

Connecting Bus Services - East Cowes

Frequent buses operate between Waitrose in East Cowes and Ryde (Service 4) and Newport (Service 5). Both services stop near Osborne House. At Ryde and Newport there are connections across the Island. Service 5 connects with ferry arrival and departures, stopping outside Waitrose (just a few minutes walk from the terminal).

Route 4 bus timetable

Route 5 bus timetable 

Taxi Services

It is advisable to pre-book a taxi before arriving in East Cowes. To pre-book tel. 01983 280800 (Rounsevell Cars)

Water Taxis

Services can be pre-booked. They will pick-up from the Grid Iron at the south end of Trinity Wharf.

  • Cowes Harbour Taxis, tel 07855 767918 (VHF Ch 77 "Harbour Taxi")
  • Sally Water Taxis, tel  07831 331717 (VHF Ch 06 "Sally Taxi")
  • Folly Inn Launch, tel 07884 400046 (VHF Ch 72 "Folly Launch")

Cowes Floating Bridge

Connects the towns of East and West Cowes for foot passengers and vehicles.

Operates: (subject to tides and navigation) Every 10 -15 minutes, 18 hrs per day, 365 days a year. First Sailing: 0500 hrs Mon- Sat (0635 hrs Sun), Last Sailing: after midnight (approx 0025 hrs). Tariff: £1 return. Tel. 01983 293041

Cycle Hire

Car Hire

Motorhome Hire

Van Hire

Minibus Hire

Coach/Bus Hire

Many of the listed hire operators above will meet Red Funnel customers upon arrival at East Cowes.

Travelling to Southampton from East Cowes

View Timetables

View and download timetables for both our Vehicle Ferry and Red Jet Services

Check Availability & Book Online

Search Vehicle Ferry availability and check prices for your chosen dates and times. For the best rates always book as far in advance as possible.

Fares & Tickets

Look up ticket information and foot passenger rates and offers for Vehicle Ferry & Red Jet services

Customer Reviews

1 2 3 4 5
All fine.
Thu, Oct 3 2024
1 2 3 4 5
No problems at all, everything went very smoothly, Captain kept us well informed, all staff friendly and helpful.
Sat, Sep 28 2024
1 2 3 4 5
Couldn't fault it
Tue, Sep 24 2024