FastCat passenger ferry port
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.
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
We have introduced 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 (except Interrail 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.
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 drinks.
Please note: From Easter, this café will be temporarily closed while we make some improvements, which will include the introduction of Island Roasted coffee. Throughout the work, a temporary pop up café will be in operation.
Purchase tickets at the port with your contactless device or debit or credit card using the ticket vending machine.
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.
Toilets and baby-changing facilities are available at the port while you wait for your ferry crossing.
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.
Foot passengers need to check in 15 minutes before departure.
We offer frequent, round-the-clock sailings.
Our handy Wightlink Explorer tool will show everything that’s going on in the area.
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 save with a 30-day Parking Permit.
Over 200 car spaces
Free motorcycle parking within dedicated bays
Accessible spaces for Blue Badge holders
Two POLAR network, 50kw rapid charging points for electric vehicles (found within the port, not in the car park)
RingGo payments, credit and debit cards accepted
Postcode: PO1 2LA
What3Words: ///pump.fence.local
Purchase parking at Gunwharf
We don’t advise pre-booking parking spaces as availability can’t be guaranteed
| Duration of stay | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to three hours | £4.50 |
| Up to five hours | £8.50 |
| Up to eight hours | £10.50 |
| Up to 24 hours | £13.50 |
| Over 24 hours (per day or part thereof) | £13.50 |
| Evening (16:00 - 05:00) | £7.50 |
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.
