Each year the Isle of Wight Festival sets a theme, and this year is Summer Solstice! Expect to see flower crowns and flowing gowns as festivalgoers get into the midsummer spirit. If you don’t have anything handy, fear not, as you’ll find many stalls selling all manner of outlandish clothes and accessories, as well as retro and vintage gear. You’ll also find glitter artists and face painters ready and waiting to complete your festival ‘fit!

Foodies will love the mouth-watering mix of street food on offer, with independent vendors serving up everything from hog roast to Greek gyros, to churros and lots more. There’ll even be an on-site Co-op for last minute munchies or essentials at reasonable prices. Plus, as the Official Headline Partner of the IOW Festival, Barclaycard will be offering 10% off at selected bars for anyone who pays with a Barclaycard or Barclays Premier card – just keep your eyes peeled for signage and make sure to flash your card to your server.

Staying hydrated is important, and needn't be costly - take a water bottle and use refill stations around the festival site. 

As with previous years, the festival will feature different areas, allowing you to easily navigate the site and build your own itinerary with all your favourite acts. The Isle of Wight Festival app is also very handy, and allows you to form your own timetable, so you don't need to miss a thing. 

We know how exciting the festival experience is, which is why we aim to sail you across the Solent as promptly and safely as possible. Our vehicle ferries offer party vibes, suntrap outer decks and several fully licensed bars, while our Red Jet Hi-Speed service will get you to the Island in under 30 mins, perfect for those who don’t want to hang around!

Don’t forget, when you sail with Red Funnel, you’ll also get access to the infamous pre-festival party at our Southampton ferry terminal on the Thursday and Friday. 

Taking a vehicle?

Loading up the car with your best mates and camping gear and heading to the festival is easy when you choose Red Funnel as your Isle of Wight ferry. Our vehicle ferries are the largest on the Solent and depart Southampton every hour, with a 55-60 minute crossing to East Cowes.

There's plenty of time to get something to eat and enjoy a pre-festival beer or two as you cruise down Southampton Water. On arrival, it's a short 10 minute drive to the dedicated festival car parks.

It's essential that you pre-book your car, van or motorhome in advance as the ferries will become fully booked. Booking early ensures you get the best price and your preferred sailing times. Don't forget, our car fares include up to 7 people.

Book your early bird vehicle ferry travel. 

Travelling on foot?

From Southampton you can choose to travel to East Cowes (perfect for campers) or West Cowes (quickest for VIP & non-campers). Our East Cowes service departs every hour and takes 55-60 minutes. Our West Cowes service has departures regularly at peak times and takes around 30 minutes. The period ticket price of £18 is the same for each service and if you wish you can travel out one route and return on the other using the same ticket.

If arriving in Southampton by train or National Express, the Quayconnect bus service connects Southampton Central station with the ferry terminals at Town Quay. It's a 5-minute walk from the coach station to the bus stop at the train station. Quayconnect is free for customers with Red Funnel tickets, or through rail or coach tickets to East or West Cowes. Leave the bus at Terminal 1 for East Cowes and Terminal 2 for West Cowes.

If arriving at Southampton Airport, you can catch a train from Southampton Airport Parkway to Southampton Central (10 minutes) and then hop on the Quayconnect bus as mentioned above.

Book your Red Jet festival period return.

Travelling around the Island

Once you arrive on the Island, festival shuttle buses will take you to the festival campsite. Top tip: If you're not camping and are travelling via West Cowes we recommend that you leave the bus at Newport rather than continuing to the festival campsite which is quite a walk from the main arena. The main festival entrance is just a short walk from the bus stop in Newport.

For campers, there's also a River Shuttle Service which operates from East and West Cowes to Island Harbour (850 yards from the campsite entrance). The journey by water takes just 20 minutes and return tickets are available to purchase on arrival. The River Shuttle will be signposted, but if in doubt, speak to one of our friendly staff members who will be around the terminal to assist with any queries. 

Shuttle bus timetables

Southern Vectis will be running festival shuttle buses to and from both our East Cowes and West Cowes terminals. Click the links below to view the timetables. 

Festival check-list

Camping or not, we recommend all festivalgoers carry these essentials:

-    100% phone battery, and ideally a portable powerbank for back-up
-    Hand gel – unfortunately, not all of the portaloos have handwashing facilities 
-    Tissues – a bog roll from home also works
-    Sunglasses – you’ve waited 20 years to see Green Day, don’t let sun glare spoil it! 
-    A bumbag – the only place you’ll get away with wearing one, and oh-so handy
-    Sun cream – self explanatory
-    A water bottle – you can refill this for free at various taps around the site
-    Comfy shoes – you’ll be on your feet a lot

Forgotten something?

We’ve got you covered! Pop into our shoreside or onboard retail outlets to pick up last-minute purchases including hats, shades, and sun cream, along with phone chargers, a selection of toiletries and medicines, and more. 

The Isle of Wight Festival campsite opens on Thursday 20 June (car parks open at 6.00am) and will close again at 2:00pm on Monday 24 June. Your camping ticket will include a standard size pitch for your tent, and it's best to get there early to get a good spot! You can also bring a motorhome if that's more your style - prices start at £286 in addition to your festival ticket. 

If you’re more of a glamper than a camper, you might want to check out some of the fabulous accommodation Red Funnel Holidays have to offer, with hotels, holiday parks, and rental properties across the Island.  

If you’re visiting on foot, you’ll want to look for locations that are along the bus route. Premier Inn or Travelodge in Newport are convenient choices, while in Cowes you’ll find cosy rooms at hotels close to the high street, such as The Fountain Inn. There are also some spectacular apartments to rent, perfect for small groups and all within walking distance of West Cowes Red Jet terminal and the shuttlebus. 

If you’re bringing your car and happy to stay further afield, a cosy cottage will provide a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of the festival, while most holiday parks come complete with pools and on-site facilities to really make the most of your Island break! 

Nearby shops

Opposite our East Cowes ferry terminal you’ll find a Waitrose and a Co-op for stocking up on supplies, while on Cowes High Street you’ll find a Sainsbury's Local, and a M&S Food conveniently located by the West Cowes shuttle bus stop.  

There are larger supermarkets in Newport such as ASDA, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's. Please note that glass is not permitted into the festival, so if you’re planning on bringing alcohol for your camp, you’ll want to opt for cans or cartons instead. 

Places to get a good meal

From pre-festival fuel to a greasy spoon for the morning after, you’ll find plenty of great places to grab a bite to eat on the way to or from the festival. Our Southampton terminals will be offering Costa coffee, a selection of ‘grab and go’ food, drinks and snacks - and if you’re travelling on our vehicle ferry you’ll find a tasty selection of cooked breakfasts (until 11:30am), Phat Pasty Co. hot savouries, hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, cakes and more in our onboard ReFuel outlets.  

Those travelling on the Red Jet will find several pubs along Cowes High Street offering hearty dishes, along with local independent cafes and bakeries.  If you're heading to East Cowes, great spots include The Lifeboat and Artisan Cafe, while in Newport you can find Wetherspoons pub The Man in the Moon, Correo Lounge, McDonalds, and the only Burger King on the Island.