Getting Here and Around

Wightlink operates a car ferry between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. The crossing takes about 40 minutes from Lymington to Yarmouth and 45 minutes from Portsmouth to Fishbourne. The company also operates a catamaran service between Portsmouth and Ryde (22 minutes). Red Funnel runs a car ferry (one hour) between Southampton and East Cowes and a hydrofoil service (25 minutes) to West Cowes. Hovertravel runs a hovercraft shuttle between Southsea (Portsmouth) and Ryde (15 minutes). The island is covered by a good network of roads, and you can rely on a regular local bus service. Southern Vectis, the local bus company, operates hop-on, hop-off open-top tours. The Needles Breezer goes to Dimbola Lodge, the Needles, and Alum Bay between mid-March and early November, while the Downs Breezer, which goes to Sandown and Brading, runs from late May through August. You can board and disembark at different points for £10, and the fare includes unlimited access to all Southern Vectis services for 24 hours.