Search live Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight) ferry prices
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Other ways to get from Portsmouth to Ryde
| Option | Journey time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southsea to Ryde (Isle of Wight) ferry | 10 min | 20 / day | Hovertravel |
The Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight) ferry
The Portsmouth to Ryde FastCat is Wightlink's high-speed passenger catamaran, whisking foot passengers across the Solent in little more than twenty minutes. Departing from Portsmouth Harbour, right beside the mainline railway station, it offers a swift and convenient link for commuters, day trippers and visitors who do not need a car on the island. The catamaran arrives at Ryde Pier Head, where it connects with the Island Line train and bus services for onward travel across the Isle of Wight. With frequent sailings throughout the day, it is the quickest scheduled boat crossing to Ryde and a popular choice for those heading to the island's sandy beaches, esplanade and seaside attractions. The seamless rail and ferry interchange at both ends makes car-free island travel genuinely straightforward.
- High-speed catamaran crossing in just over 20 minutes
- Foot passengers only, ideal for car-free travel
- Direct interchange with mainline trains at Portsmouth Harbour
- Arrives at Ryde Pier Head with onward island rail and bus links
Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight) ferry fares we have seen
| Fare basket | Fare seen | Seen on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult foot passenger, single | £22.40 | 18 October 2026 (for travel 1 Oct-31 Dec 2026 off-peak) | Wightlink foot passenger tickets page (1 Oct-31 Dec 2026, off-peak); price block matched to Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde by tab order |
| Adult foot passenger, day return | £29.20 | 18 October 2026 (for travel 1 Oct-31 Dec 2026 off-peak) | Wightlink foot passenger tickets page (1 Oct-31 Dec 2026, off-peak) |
| Adult foot passenger, return (valid 364 nights) | £40.40 | 18 October 2026 (for travel 1 Oct-31 Dec 2026 off-peak) | Wightlink foot passenger tickets page (1 Oct-31 Dec 2026, off-peak) |
| Adult foot passenger, Afternoon Flyer (outward after 12:00, return before 04:30 next morning) | £23.20 | 18 October 2026 (for travel 1 Oct-31 Dec 2026 off-peak) | Wightlink foot passenger tickets page (1 Oct-31 Dec 2026, off-peak) |
Fares change with date, demand and vehicle; these are figures we saw on the dates shown, not quotes. A booking fee may be added. Check live prices in the search above.
Who sails Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight)
| Operator | Ships | Crossing | Sailings | Foot passengers | Pets | Cabins / seating | Check-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wightlink | FastCat catamarans (vessel names not found on pages read) | 22 minutes | frequent, round the clock | Yes (foot passengers only, no vehicles) | Free | Passenger lounges, bicycle racks, sun deck | foot passengers 15 minutes before departure |
Rules differ by operator and ship; confirm when you book. Sources: wightlink.co.uk. Checked 2026-10-18.
What to know about the Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight) crossing
Check-in
Foot passengers check in 15 minutes before departure and should be ready to board at least 15 minutes before the booked sailing. Tickets bought from Wightlink give a QR code scanned at the ticket gates. (wightlink.co.uk)
Pets
Wightlink says pets travel for free. On car ferries pets stay in the Pet Friendly Areas or in the vehicle with a window open, on a lead or in a suitable container and off the seats; Wightlink may charge a cleaning fee if a mess is not cleaned up. (wightlink.co.uk)
Bicycles
Bicycles travel free with foot passengers, but Wightlink asks you to tell it in advance because space is limited; select the number of bicycles when booking online. On vehicle ferries bikes stay on the car deck; on the FastCat they go in racks at the rear. (wightlink.co.uk)
Accessibility
Wightlink asks passengers needing assistance to call at least 48 hours before travel (line 0800 093 8236, per the accessible travel page). Staff help to and from the passenger lounges only. FastCat gangways take mobility scooters, but not when the berth is moved; powered wheelchairs on FastCats can only be used with a Wightlink team member. (wightlink.co.uk)
Luggage
Wightlink states there is no limit on luggage on board, but foot passengers must be able to carry it themselves because staff cannot assist. Drivers can leave luggage in the vehicle, but passengers cannot return to the car deck while the vessel is sailing. (wightlink.co.uk)
Foot passengers
Foot passengers are accepted on this route. E-scooters and hoverboards are not allowed on board or in the ports. (wightlink.co.uk)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
Portsmouth Harbour FastCat Passenger Terminal
- Address
- Portsmouth, PO1 3PA
- Getting there
- The terminal is inside Portsmouth Harbour railway station. The Hard bus interchange is just outside, served by local buses and national coaches.
- Parking
- No car park at the terminal. Wightlink's car park opposite the Portsmouth car ferry port on Gunwharf Road (PO1 2LA) is about a 10-minute walk: over 200 spaces, banded tariff on the port page.
- Facilities
- Clipper Cafe, self-service ticket machines, Customer Service Point (no cash), toilets, baby changing, seating area.
- Onward travel
- Gates accept rail tickets with barcodes or QR codes (not Interrail), Wightlink tickets and passes; magnetic-strip rail tickets and adults travelling with children are checked by staff.
Source: wightlink.co.uk, checked 2026-10-18.
Ryde Pier Head
- Address
- The Esplanade, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2HF
- Getting there
- Ryde Pier has an Island Line station (South Western Railway). Southern Vectis buses stop at Ryde Esplanade. A separate pedestrian walkway runs along the pier.
- Parking
- Parking at the end of the pier; first 30 minutes free for pick-up/drop-off, longer stays banded with an evening rate (tariff on the port page). Pier limits: 3 tonnes, 2.25 m height, 10 mph (also for cyclists).
- Facilities
- Seagull Cafe, self-service ticket machines, Customer Service Point (no cash), toilets, baby changing, Changing Places toilet, seating, 7.2kW EV charging point.
- Onward travel
- Island Line trains serve Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin; Southern Vectis buses from Ryde Esplanade.
Source: wightlink.co.uk, checked 2026-10-18.
Staying in or around Ryde
Island Line trains serve Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin; Southern Vectis buses from Ryde Esplanade.
Ports & operators on this route
Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight) ferry — common questions
How fast is the Portsmouth to Ryde FastCat?
The high-speed catamaran completes the crossing in around 22 minutes, making it the quickest scheduled boat service between Portsmouth and Ryde.
Can I take a car on the Portsmouth to Ryde FastCat?
No, the FastCat is a foot-passenger service only. For vehicles you would use the Portsmouth to Fishbourne car ferry instead.
Does the ferry connect with trains on the Isle of Wight?
Yes. The catamaran arrives at Ryde Pier Head, which connects directly with the Island Line trains and local bus services for travel across the island.
How long is the Portsmouth to Ryde FastCat?
Wightlink gives the crossing from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head as 22 minutes.
What are the first and last Portsmouth to Ryde sailings?
On Wightlink's 2026 timetable, Monday-Friday departures from Portsmouth Harbour run from 05:15 to 22:45, and from Ryde Pier Head from 05:40 to 23:10.
What are the adult fares from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde?
Wightlink's foot passenger table for 1 Oct-31 Dec 2026 (off-peak) prints adult single, day return, return and Afternoon Flyer prices, listed in the fares for this route. The page does not label price blocks by route, so they were matched by tab order.
Related ferry routes
Other routes from Portsmouth
Other routes to Ryde (Isle of Wight)
More Wightlink routes
Where these facts come from
Checked by the CheapFerries editorial team on 18 October 2026. Operators change timetables, fares and rules, so confirm details for your sailing when you book.
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/tickets/foot-passenger-tickets
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/facilities/ports/portsmouth-harbour
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/facilities/ports/ryde
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/travel-advice/travelling-on-foot
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/travel-advice/travelling-with-your-pet
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/tickets/accessible-travel
- wightlink.co.uk www.wightlink.co.uk/faq/travel