Visiting the Isle of Wight using public transport
About Darragh Gray – Isle of Wight blogger
Our guest blogger Darragh Gray works in the charity sector and in his spare time he loves travelling – as well as photographing and blogging his adventures. He’s been visiting the Isle of Wight regularly on family holidays since he was a child and, in 2022, he moved from London to Southsea which gives him even more opportunity to explore the island!
You can follow Darragh’s adventures on his Instagram account: @travellingpenguin
If you’ve ever thought about visiting the Isle of Wight, you probably already know how easy it is to take your car with you. But what about those of us who don’t drive, or who simply fancy a break from it on holiday?
Is it easy to reach the ferries by public transport – and is it even practical to travel round the island without a car? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes, so read on for some tips on visiting the Island car-free from our guest blogger, Darragh Gray.
Getting to the port
First things first, it’s easy to reach the two Wightlink ports on the mainland.
The FastCat service to Ryde is well-connected to London Waterloo with frequent fast services to Portsmouth Harbour taking a little over an hour and a half. You can also travel direct from London Victoria by train or coach if you prefer.
Regular trains link Portsmouth Harbour to many other destinations too – including Brighton to the east and Bath, Bristol and Cardiff to the west.
The ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth is also a breeze. A twice-hourly train runs the short distance from Lymington Pier to the mainline at Brockenhurst in just 14 minutes. Change there for services to London Waterloo and Weymouth.
It’s also worth mentioning that Southampton Central station is well-connected to both Wightlink ports. From here, Cross Country services run to and from the Midlands and the North as far as Newcastle. Wherever you’re starting from, an online journey planner can help you get started.
Once you arrive at Portsmouth or Lymington, boarding your Wightlink service couldn’t be easier. For example, it’s just a few metres from the end of the platform at Portsmouth Harbour to the FastCat terminal – with no steps involved!
By the way, you can take a bike for free on both of these Wightlink routes.
Top tip: did you know that you can buy a combined ticket from your home railway station to stations on the island that includes your boat journey? Not only does this save the hassle of buying separate tickets, it can sometimes work out cheaper – especially if you’re using a railcard!
Isle of Wight train service
Once you’re on the island, there are two main ways of getting around.
Regular Island Line trains run south-east from the Wightlink terminal at Ryde Pier as far as Shanklin.
It’s a short and fun journey which takes around 25 minutes in former London Underground carriages, and an adult ticket costs from £5 for a day return. You can also make use of any relevant mainland railcards to save some money!
Many island stations have a vintage olde-worlde feel, and railway enthusiasts will be happy to know that the Island Line connects to the steam railway at Smallbrook Junction.
Top tip: Did you know that you can often break your island train journey at no extra cost? For example, travelling from Ryde to Shanklin, you could stop in the ancient town of Brading or visit the pier at Sandown, before continuing your journey. If unsure, check your ticket’s T&Cs with Island Line staff.
Getting around the Isle of Wight by bus
To reach many other destinations on the island, Southern Vectis buses are the way forward. The Wightlink ports in Ryde and Yarmouth are well served, and you can find a handy network map and journey planner online.
Tickets are often cheaper via the app, but you can pay contactless (or even in cash) on the bus too. At the time of writing, a single fare is £2 on most routes wherever you buy it, making it great value for money. You can also use an English concessionary bus pass on the island if you have one.
There are a few things to be aware of when using the buses. Several routes start and end in the island’s capital Newport, meaning you may have to change bus there along the way.
Also, timetables change according to the season. For example, between spring and autumn there are a number of additional services. My favourite – which is also the longest route on the island – is the Island Coaster which runs along the spectacular West Wight coastline.
That said, there’s a pretty comprehensive bus service year-round. With a little planning, I’ve found it easy enough to get around even in the depths of winter!
Top tip: if you plan to use the bus a lot, consider buying a rover or multi-ticket. For around £10, you can travel on most services for 24 hours, while the 48-hour rover and multi-ticket bundles offer the best value.
Where to stay on the Isle of Wight as a foot passenger
If you’re a first-time visitor or heading for the beach, I’d recommend taking the Wightlink FastCat from Portsmouth to Ryde and basing yourself near the railway line in the east of the island.
I often choose Shanklin because it offers a bit of everything – including a picture-postcard Old Village, lively town centre, and a long and attractive seafront.
As well as a train station, Shanklin has decent bus links. One of my favourite trips is to the lovely thatched village of Godshill, which takes around 15 minutes on the number 2 service. Meanwhile on foot, the 45-minute walk along the shore or clifftop to Sandown for its beach, pier and animal sanctuary is also a treat.
Slightly further afield, Ventnor has a lovely quirky vibe as well as a sub-tropical microclimate. It has no train station but frequent buses to Shanklin make it worth considering (it’s 20 minutes away on the number 3). Walkers can also reach the tiny seaside village of Steephill Cove from here (something of a hidden gem, it’s only accessible by foot!)
If you’re looking to go walking off the beaten track or have your heart set on seeing the Needles, then the Wightlink ferry from Lymington may be the best route for you. Although the West of the island is more remote, if you base yourself in the historic port town of Yarmouth itself you’ll have a good choice of fine places to stay, eat and drink.
From Yarmouth, it doesn’t take long to travel on the number 7 bus to the Needles (less than 30 minutes), Freshwater (11 minutes) or Carisbrooke and its famous castle (under 30 minutes). Best of all, between March and early November, a special open top bus – the Needles Breezer – also runs to the Needles helping you make the most of the spectacular views!
Top tip: if you’re struggling to decide between East and West Wight or you want to experience two different sides to the island in one trip, then why not ‘mix and match’ your tickets? When booking on the Wightlink website, you can choose to travel outbound on one route and return on the other!
