We're in the planning stages of an April trip to London and are considering spending a couple of days on the Isle of Wight if we can get around the island by public transportation. Does anyone have any experience touring this area?

We were very lucky to have friends with a house on Isle of Wight where we stayed for three days, so we traveled by their car. But I did get the impression that there really isn't very good public transportation. I'd suggest getting a car there to travel around. On the other hand, transport to and from London was so very simple.

We stayed in Cowes for several days. Our main object was to visit Osborne House but it pretty much took the whole day without a car and we really didn't get to see much of the Isle. Even in England the buses don't run that often.

There is a semi-reasonable bus service on the Isle, but it would not be all that useful for touring and seeing much. The best things to see are spread all over the island and it is VERY easy by car but tough by bus.

Two options - rent a car once you are on the island - a couple of garages have rental cars; OR hire a driver on the island. It would make for a much better visit.

I agree - getting to the Isle via train from London and ferry over is really easy.

Here is the website for the bus company that serves the Isle, http://www.svoc.co.uk/

My recollection from about five years ago is that, with some careful planning, touring by public transport is quite feasible. Staying in Newport would make it particularly easy, since that town is the hub for most of the services.

Hi

it's a few years ago, but we toured IoW reasonably easily by bus, taxi & train.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the train. Does it still run ?

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

The trains still run from Ryde Pier Head to Sandown and Shanklin (www.island-line.co.uk). The trains are old London tube trains; the trains connect with boats from Portsmouth and the first part of the journey is along the pier - it's the only place where tube trains go over the sea. Southern Vectis buses cover the island pretty well, though a few routes don't run in winter. Most routes have an hourly service. You can buy a day pass which gives unlimited travel on the buses. Many of them are double-deckers and give much better views over the countryside than you get from a car. Osborne House is on the route from Ryde to East Cowes. West Wight is quieter and prettier - the little town of Yarmouth has a castle, and a good choice of pubs and restaurants.

Thanks for your help. Since a car is out -- we like the British too much to subject them to our driving -- we'll check out the bus company website and look into the car and driver and cab options. We've journeyed over much of Great Britain this way and really enjoyed it.
If anyone has lodging suggestions, we'd love to hear them.