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  1. Combined train and ferry tickets
  2. Travelling with a train ticket - what to expect
  3. Save with a railcard
  4. Our routes
  5. How long does it take to get to the Isle of Wight by train?
  6. Isle of Wight train stations map
  7. Discover the world outside your train window

Trains to the Isle of Wight

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Reaching the Isle of Wight by train

Small e-vehicles, such as e-scooters and hoverboards, are banned from our ferries and customer buildings. Find out more.

One of the most convenient ways of reaching the Isle of Wight is by train. Each of our three mainland ports is only moments from a well-connected railway station, from where you can hop on the ferry and be on the Island in as little as 22 minutes.

What’s more, you can save money and make your travel planning even more convenient by purchasing ‘through’ rail tickets, which cover both train and ferry tickets in one go – find out more below.

A man walks along a train station platform, with a train waiting alongside, doors open

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Combined train and ferry ticketsTravelling with a train ticket - what to expectSave with a railcardOur routesHow long does it take to get to the Isle of Wight by train?Isle of Wight train stations mapDiscover the world outside your train window

Combined train and ferry tickets

To make things easy for you, you can purchase ‘through’ or ‘combined’ train tickets to the Isle of Wight port you’re travelling to, which includes your Wightlink ferry in the price.

You can also purchase through tickets that include onward travel on the Island via the Island Line train service.

To check Isle of Wight train times and to buy through tickets online, you can use National Rail or South Western Railway or, alternatively, you can purchase your tickets at any railway ticket office.

Although your ferry is booked when you arrange your train, we’re unable to reserve you a spot on board. Therefore, during particularly busy times, such as Isle of Wight Festival, you may want to guarantee your sailing time by getting in touch with us.

Travelling with a train ticket - what to expect

When you purchase a through train ticket, you’ll likely be able to choose to receive an e-ticket, which will come with a barcode, or to print your ticket at a train station.

If you’ve chosen an e-ticket, when you arrive at one of our ports for your sailing, simply scan at the ticket barriers or show it to a member of staff.

If your ticket is an orange ‘magstripe’ version, find a member of staff and they will allow you through.

Buy through train tickets

Save with a railcard

When you buy a through train ticket that includes ferry travel with us, you can use a railcard, such as a 16-25 railcard, and make the most of savings on your entire journey.

This means you’ll save on both the train travel and your sailing across the Solent – win win!

See our railcard travel guide to find out which cards apply and how to purchase one.

Railcard travel guide
A South Western Railway train stopped at Lymington Pier station, with a Wightlink ferry visible in the background

West Wight Wanderer Day Ranger ticket

Save on trains in the New Forest, Lymington – Yarmouth ferry travel and bus journeys throughout West Wight with the ‘West Wight Wanderer’ ticket.

Valid for one day at £30 for adults and £18 for children (5 – 15 years inclusive), you can pick up a ticket at any manned UK railway station.

Discover the West Wight Wanderer ticket

Our routes

We run three routes that link the mainland with the Isle of Wight. Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde Pier Head is our most popular route for train connections, as our Portsmouth Harbour port is found within Portsmouth Harbour Train Station.

From there, it’s only 22 minutes across the Solent on our FastCat service. Portsmouth Harbour is well served by trains from London Waterloo and London Victoria.

Similarly, our Lymington port is easily accessible by train as it sits minutes from Lymington Pier Train Station. From there, you can get to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight in only 40 minutes on a beautifully scenic crossing.

A Wightlink FastCat sits at Ryde Pier Head on the Isle of Wight

How long does it take to get to the Isle of Wight by train?

It’s quicker than you think to get to the Isle of Wight by train. If you’re coming from London, for example, you can reach Ryde Pier on the Island within around two hours, with regular trains leaving London Waterloo.

It’s easy to get there from London Victoria, too, with a change along the way at either Fratton or Portsmouth and Southsea Station.

See how long it takes to get to the Island from various UK locations:

  • From London Waterloo | 2 hours 

  • From Reading | 2 ½ hours 

  • From Bristol | 3 ½ hours 

  • From Cardiff | 4 hours 

  • From Birmingham | 4 ½ hours 

  • From Manchester | 5 hours 

Isle of Wight train stations map

Island Line run a train service on the east of the Isle of Wight between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, also serving the towns of Brading, Sandown and Lake.  It’s 30 minutes to get from Ryde to Shanklin and the service runs every hour throughout the day.

You can also sample some Island nostalgia on the Isle of Wight Steam railway, which connects Havenstreet, Smallbrook, Wootton and Ashey.

If you need to travel west, Southern Vectis buses regularly run from Ryde Bus Station.

South Western Railway Island Line train connection map
A female passenger on a train looks out of the window

Discover the world outside your train window

If you’re travelling by train through the New Forest to Lymington, you can discover more about the countryside and coastline outside your window using a new smartphone app – Window Seater.

Uncover stories of headless coachmen, the ancient practice of New Forest commoning and the role Brockenhurst played during wartime as you fly through the countryside towards our port.

Download Window Seater