Live service status

Timetables

FastCat passenger ferry port

Portsmouth Harbour

  1. Home
  2. Facilities
  3. Ports

  4. Portsmouth Harbour FastCat passenger ferry port

About

Located within Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station, and a moment’s walk from a nearby bus interchange, this is our quickest crossing for foot passengers with a journey time of just 22 minutes. Our FastCat catamarans, Wight Ryder I and Wight Ryder II, operate on this route.

Ticket gates

By early May 2024, we’ll be introducing ticket gates at both our Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head ports.

Similar to gates you see at many train stations, they will accept rail tickets with barcodes or QR codes as well as Wightlink paper tickets, passes and online tickets on smart phones.

If you’re travelling using a rail ticket with a magnetic strip, these will need to be scanned manually by our port staff, as will adults travelling with children.

On this page:

Where is it?

Portsmouth Harbour FastCat Passenger Terminal, Portsmouth, PO1 3PS

Routes

Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde Pier Head

22 minutesFoot passenger ferry

If you’re travelling on foot, Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head is our quickest route, crossing the waters between the Isle of Wight and mainland in just 22 minutes.  

Our reliable, high-speed FastCat catamarans serve this route and come with spacious passenger lounges, bicycle racks and a sun deck, perfect for taking in the views during the day.

Ticket gates

By early May 2024, we’ll be introducing ticket gates at both our Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head ports.

Similar to gates you see at many train stations, they will accept rail tickets with barcodes or QR codes as well as Wightlink paper tickets, passes and online tickets on smart phones.

If you’re travelling using a rail ticket with a magnetic strip, these will need to be scanned manually by our port staff, as will adults travelling with children.

Feefo logo
View the Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde Pier Head route
Wightlink Fastcat catamaran at Ryde Pier Head

Facilities at the port

Clipper Café

Our Clipper Café outlet is ideal for a quick stop off before you board the FastCat, with a selection of hot and cold food and drink. You’ll also find a 24 hour Costa Express self service machine.

Self service ticket machines

Purchase tickets at the port with your contactless device or debit or credit card using the ticket vending machine.

Customer Service Point

Purchase or amend tickets at our port using the Customer Service Point. Please note, you can’t purchase any of our frequent traveller passes at our ports and we no longer accept cash payments.

Toilet and baby changing facilities

Toilets and baby-changing facilities are available at the port while you wait for your ferry crossing.

Public transport

Our Portsmouth Harbour Passenger Ferry Port is easily accessible. It sits within Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station so if you’re travelling by train, head to the end of the railway station when you get off your carriage.

There’s also a well-connected bus interchange, The Hard, just outside the train station, which is served by both local buses and national coaches.

Portmouth Harbour exteropr

Checking in

Foot passengers need to check in 15 minutes before departure.

Find out what it’s like to travel with us on foot

Timetable

We offer frequent, round-the-clock sailings.

Timetables

Nearby attractions

Our handy Wightlink Explorer tool will show everything that’s going on in the area.

Start exploring

Parking

Car parking is available opposite Wightlink’s Portsmouth car ferry port in Gunwharf Road, which is about a 10 minute walk away from the FastCat port.

You can pay for your parking of up to three days using the RingGo app on your phone or you can use the designated ticket machines to pay by card. You can extend your session through your phone if you plan on staying a little longer.

If you plan to use our car park regularly, you can purchase a 30-day Parking Permit for just £93.

Parking at Portsmouth Harbour FastCat passenger ferry port

RingGo

RingGo zone number 22280

Duration of stayPrice
Up to three hours£3.90
Up to five hours£7.90
Up to eight hours£9.50
Up to 24 hours£11.60
Over 24 hours (per day or part thereof)£11.60
Evening (16:00 - 05:00)£6.90

What to expect at the port

On foot

Upon arrival, a seating area is available where you can wait until the FastCat is ready for boarding. Feel free to use our port facilities but try to be ready to board at least 15 minutes before your booked sailing time.

All our foot passenger tickets, except for Family tickets, can be purchased online or through the Wightlink app in advance. Foot passenger tickets can also be purchased at our self service ticket machines.

When the ferry is ready to board, please present your ticket (this can be a printed ticket or you can show the ticket on your phone) to the team and then proceed down the walkway to board the FastCat.

If you’re bringing along a bicycle, please leave this in the cycle racks at the rear of the FastCat.

Ferry

Ports

All our ports are easy to get to and come with excellent facilities, including food and drink outlets – find your closest location to travel from.

Ferry

Ferries

Our fleet of six vehicle ferries and two FastCat catamarans serve the Isle of Wight and mainland 364 days a year – find out everything there is to know about them.

Vehicles parked at Ferry port

Parking

There's parking on site or close by at each of our ports – find pricing information and details of where to find them.