Kokova Magazine

Wightlink operates multiple passenger and car ferry routes connecting the UK mainland to the Isle of Wight. So, when we were invited* to make the crossing to the Isle of Wight, courtesy of Wightlink, we booked a five-night stay on the Island to give us time to review the crossing options and explore what was on offer. This was our first crossing with a vehicle, having previously crossed as foot passengers on a day trip. Aside from a childhood visit, we were fairly new to Island life, and arrived with the misconception that the Isle of Wight was a retirement destination or a place for young families who didn't want to fly.

Our goal was to discover what the Island has to offer to entice travellers to pay the ferryman and make the crossing - and we discovered an adventure we hadn't expected. Discover your route options via the Wightlink website.

Lymington to Yarmouth

Tuesday 8 September 2026 at 17:00 - Cost: £70.50 for 2 passengers, 1 Car/Van up to 5m (L) & 2.24m (H)

Arriving earlier than expected, we found the 4 pm ferry had not yet begun boarding, so we were able to check in and change our crossing time. This meant we arrived on the Island an hour earlier. Driving onto a ferry for the first time is certainly an experience, and as we were behind a few cars, we simply followed their route. Staff were also on hand to direct us throughout the short drive up the ramp. Once we were secure, we left the vehicle as quickly as possible and headed to the upper decks for something to drink.

Highlights from Lymington include the harbour views as the ferry heads out to the Island. A bonus was finding a gluten-free wrap at the on-board cafe, which was well stocked with Island produce. It is good to see so many independent producers supported on the crossing.

We spent the sailing 'up top', enjoying the views and cooler weather. The crossing takes about 40 minutes, and even in September it was smooth. When it was time to return to our cars, the announcement was clear, and we left as we arrived, following the cars in front and taking staff directions. Exiting the port at Yarmouth is easy, and much less busy than at Portsmouth.

Fishbourne to Portsmouth

Saturday 12 September 2026 at 19:00 - Cost: £96.25 for 2 passengers, 1 Car/Van up to 5m (L) & 2.24m (H)

We upgraded our ticket to include priority boarding (£12.50) and paid a vehicle levy (£1.50) for the return booking. The return crossing was originally booked for 18:40, but Wightlink changed the sailing and notified us before we left home, giving us ample time to adjust our plans. Travelling back in the early evening meant we could also watch the sunset during the 45-minute crossing back to Portsmouth.

Returning via Fishbourne, we boarded first at a higher level and had to trust the person at the front of the ferry, who was waving us towards the end, since we had no other cars to follow. It was definitely a good experience, but if you are less than confident driving, it may be slightly unnerving. If you're not so sure, save the extra £14 for coffee and snacks aboard and skip priority boarding. The ferry doesn't leave until everyone is on board anyway. The priority advantage was departing from Portsmouth and beating the traffic gridlock on the way out of the port.

"Wightlink has been bringing people together for over 160 years, dedicated to providing the best possible service for crossings to and from the Isle of Wight, with more ferries, more routes, and more frequent service than any other cross-Solent service. Committed to more than just getting you across the Solent, Wightlink wants every journey to be safe, reliable, and a positive experience."

With foot passenger prices starting at around £22 each way and a return at around £29 for a day trip, this is quite an expensive crossing compared with some cheap flights to Europe. But if you don't mind travelling at quieter times, plan your trip over more than one day, and take your car, you will find plenty of room to secure cheaper deals. Use the Wightlink best fare finder to book in advance and check the cheapest crossings to suit your dates.

Crossing with Wightlink is more than just getting from one island to another; they run the Green Solent Project - an initiative to protect the land, air and sea that surround us. Wightlink supports a number of charity projects that benefit local communities, and sponsors a number of sporting teams and organisations with discounted travel.

The Wightlink Green Innovation Fund was created to encourage Island communities to push boundaries and advance towards the world's sustainability goals. Wightlink's dedication to providing the best possible service is as strong today as its passion for the Isle of Wight.

Value for Money?
There is no denying that a trip across to the Isle of Wight can be an expensive investment and take a fair chunk out of your holiday fund. Often, people choose to put this cost towards flights abroad, completely bypassing a destination so close to home - meaning they miss out on a different kind of adventure.

Although we were gifted the basic crossing price by Wightlink, staying on the Island is not cheap in high season, and even in September we paid nearly £600 for our five-night stay in a small house in Ventnor.

Our experience with Wightlink was faultless. Everyone working at all points, from port check-in to ferry staff, was engaging and pleasant. The sailing was efficient, and the service excellent.

Would we go back? Definitely, as there were many places on the Island that required more time to explore. The island has a lot more to offer than we first expected. But we would like to see a decrease in ferry crossing prices, given that it is no more than a few miles of sailing.

Prices are correct at the time of publication. Please check the Wightlink website for up-to-date, real-time pricing at the time of travel.

Wightlink ferry crossings start at £21.90 for a single adult foot passenger ticket and around £38.00 each way for a car.

Foot Passenger Fares
Single: From £21.90 for adults.
Day Return: From £28.20 for adults.
Standard Return: From £39.40 for adults.
Afternoon Flyer (travel after 12:00, return same day): From £22.20.
Infants (0–4): Travel free.Vehicle Ferry Prices

Car Crossings
Start from around £38.00 to £40.50 per leg, depending on the time, day, and route (Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Lymington to Yarmouth).
Emissions Levy: Vehicle bookings on the Portsmouth - Fishbourne route incur a Government Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) levy of £1.50 per leg for cars under five metres and £1.75 per leg for longer vehicles.

Priority Boarding: Costs an extra £12.50 per crossing.

Be flexible. If you can, consider travelling outside the peak times between 10:00 and 16:00 because early-morning and evening sailings usually cost less.

If you're on foot or bringing along your bicycle, you can also hop on board one of the FastCats, which travel between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde.

The Isle of Wight has a lot to offer visitors, but for most travellers, the only way to get there is by ferry. Two main companies control the routes: Wightlink and Red Funnel. Isle of Wight ferry services operate as an unregulated duopoly with dynamic pricing and no legal price caps. A recent article in the Isle of Wight Observer provides an interesting read.

*Our basic ferry crossings were hosted by Wightlink Ferries. We secured our own accommodation, covered additional travel costs, and paid for all meals and entrance to attractions on the Island.