Diversions to Portsmouth International Port

With the Great South Run taking place in Portsmouth on Sunday, 19 October, we will be running a small number of sailings to and from Portsmouth International Port (PO2 8SP) instead of our port in Gunwharf Road.

Boarding and disembarking the ferry will be slightly different at the International Port and crossing times will be longer, so make sure to check before you book. Foot passengers will not be able to travel on these sailings.

The affected crossings are:

  • 10:10 from Fishbourne. This will arrive at Portsmouth International Port.
  • 11:00 from Fishbourne. This will arrive at Portsmouth International Port.
  • 11:45 from Portsmouth. This will depart from Portsmouth International Port.
  • 12:30 from Portsmouth. This will depart from Portsmouth International Port.

Find out more information about travelling on these sailings below.

Key takeaways

  • Foot passengers, including cyclists, will not be able to use this route. We recommend foot passengers take our Portsmouth Harbour - Ryde Pier Head FastCat route instead and cyclists opt for the Hovercraft, who will accept Wightlink tickets.

  • Bookings will need to be made in advance. If you arrive at the International Port without a booking, we will not be able to accept you on board.

  • Journey times will be longer - around 60 minutes

  • Please check in between 60 minutes and 30 minutes before your scheduled sailing

  • Drivers of commercial vehicles will need to show photographic ID

Where is Portsmouth International Port?

Portsmouth International Port is found on the entrance to the city, right on the M275 motorway that links Portsmouth with the M27. If you’re travelling south into Portsmouth, take junction 2 on the M275, signposted ‘Cruise and Cross Channel Ferries’, and then take the fourth exit on the roundabout.

If you’re travelling north from the city, stay in the left lane of the M275, following the road signs for ‘Cross Channel Ferries’, and then take the first left at the roundabout.

Use the postcode PO2 8SP for your phone or sat nav.

Explore Portsmouth International Port

Important information

Car boarding ferry

Boarding and disembarking

Boarding and disembarking the ferry at Portsmouth International Port will be slightly different than at our Portsmouth Gunwharf port. When entering the port, your vehicle may be subject to a security check.

There is no upper boarding ramp at PIP, so you will enter the ferry on the lower deck and your vehicle will remain there for the crossing.

Please arrive and check in between 60 minutes and 30 minutes before your scheduled sailing. Priority Boarding will not be available.

Woman checking in ticket at Wightlink ferry

Foot passengers

You won’t be able to book onto the Portsmouth – Fishbourne route as a foot passenger during this period.

We recommend travelling on our Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde Pier Head route instead, which has a shorter crossing time of 22 minutes.

If you are travelling with a bicycle, please use Hovertravel – they are currently accepting Wightlink tickets.

See the full Portsmouth – Ryde timetable on our Timetables page.

See the latest timetable information
Wightlink's Victoria of Wight ferry in the middle of the Solent

Tickets and timetable changes

A temporary timetable will be in place from as journeys across the Solent will be slightly longer than usual, taking around 60 minutes.

You won’t be able to purchase any tickets at Portsmouth International Port so all bookings will need to made in advance.

You’ll need to arrive for check-in no earlier than 60 minutes before and no less than 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time as vehicle security checks may be required.

See the latest timetable information on our Timetables page

See the latest timetable information