Flexible fare options for frequent travellers
If you’re crossing the Solent regularly, check out Travel Cards – with savings of up to 20% off our Saver and Flexi fares, 10% off standard foot passenger fares, and 15% off food and drinks, it’s the cheapest way to travel. When you join My Red Funnel Rewards, you’ll also earn points every time you use your Travel Card.
How it works
Open a Travel Card account and add credit to obtain discounts. You can use your Travel Card to book or buy ferry tickets with the appropriate discount applied automatically. The cost of each journey will be deducted from your account balance. There are three credit levels or top-up amounts to choose from: £250, £500, and £1,000.
Account balance after top-up | Discount Level | Private vehicles up to 8m | Freight vehicles over 5.5m | Motorcycles & Scooters | Foot Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under £500 | 1 | 6% | 0% | 25% | 10% |
| £500 to £999.99 | 2 | 10% | 0% | 30% | 10% |
| £1,000 or over | 3 | 20% | 10% | 35% | 10% |
The discount level will remain in place until the credit has been exhausted or the card is next topped-up. Depending on the balance after the top-up, a higher or lower discount level may apply. If your discount level is 2 or 3 and you want to top-up the card by a small amount its not advisable to do so until the balance has been run down as a the discount level could be reset to Level 1 or 2.
For example:
i) A Travel Card was originally topped-up with £1,000 and all car journeys booked have been discounted by 20%. The balance falls to £400 and the card holder decides to top-up the card by £250. The new balance is now £650 so the discount level for new car bookings has reduced to 10%
ii) A Travel Card was originally topped-up with £500 and all car journeys booked have been discounted by 10%. The balance falls to £249 and the card holder decides to top-up the card by £250. The new balance is now £499 so the discount level for new car bookings has reduced to 6%
iii) A Travel Card with a balance of £500 is topped-up by another £500. As the balance is now £1,000 car journeys will be discounted by 20% until there is insufficient credit for new bookings or the card is topped-up.
iv) A Travel Card with a balance of £500 is topped-up by £250. As the new balance is £750 the discount for car journeys will remain at 10% until the credit has been used or the card is topped-up.
How to apply / top-up
- Create a My Red Funnel Account (if you don't have one already).
- Please read the Travel Card Terms & Conditions below carefully.
- To purchase a new card, check your balance, or top-up with credit, call our Contact Centre on 023 8001 9192 (Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-19:00 | Weekends and Bank Holidays 08:00-18:00).
- Look out for your membership card in the post - please show it at check-in and when purchasing foot passenger tickets or food & drinks.
Travelcard Terms & Conditions
The parties to the agreement are Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited (trading as “Red Funnel Ferries”), Registered office: 12 Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2JY, UK Registered in England and Wales with Number 002404 and the account holder.
2.1 Travel Cards store money on an account which can be used to purchase discounted fluid vehicle fares and standard foot passenger tickets for both Red Funnel routes (Red Jet Hi-Speed tickets paid for using a Travel Card can only be purchased from ticket offices during opening hours or via the Red Funnel App - unfortunately they can not be purchased online, by phone or from ticket machines).
2.2 We will operate the account for you and you agree that the account will be debited by the amounts of all transactions made using your Travel Card and any supplementary card that you have asked us to provide. Each transaction will be shown on your online statement.
2.3 To prevent misuse of your account you must ensure that you and any supplementary cardholder
- Keeps the card secure at all times,
- Keeps the login and password secure at all times,
- Keeps the 4 digit PIN secure and does not disclose it to a third party,
- Do not let any unauthorized person use your card.
2.4 Written requests to transfer a balance between two Travel Card accounts will be considered and not unreasonably withheld.
2.5 Booking history is available FREE online from the ‘My Red Funnel’ section of the website. A one-off paper statement listing all transactions for the requested period can be provided on request; a small administration charge may be applicable, which will be debited from your Travel Card.
2.6 We reserve the right to reject a Travel Card application and close an existing account without explanation.
3.1 Credit top-ups can be made to your account online, by telephone or in-person using a debit/credit card. Top-ups can be accepted in cash at the ticket offices during opening hours.
3.2 The account can be topped-up by fixed amounts of £250, £500 or £1,000. The discount level is determined by the balance after the account has been topped-up and the discount will remain in force until the account is next topped-up. The discount level can be calculated using the table below:
| Travel Card balance after top-up | Discount level applying |
|---|---|
| £0.00 to £499.99 | Level 1 |
| £500.00 to £999.99 | Level 2 |
| £1,000 + | Level 3 |
3.3 Top-ups will appear on your statement once the payment has been processed. If the top-up payment fails to clear at a later date for some reason the account may be debited by an equivalent amount.
4.1 No fee is payable to enrol in the scheme or to maintain a Travel Card account.
4.2 No administration fees will apply to telephone or in-person Travel Card bookings.
4.3 No booking amendment fees will be charged but charges will apply if changing your departure time to a more expensive sailing.
4.4 Standard refund and cancellation rules apply to Travel Card vehicle bookings.
4.5 All Travel Card journeys are non-transferable and subject to Red Funnel's standard terms and conditions of carriage.
4.6 Funds stored in a Travel Card account will never expire but we reserve the right to close a Travel Card account where there has been no activity for 3+ years (see ‘Closing your Account’ section of this agreement).
4.7 We reserve the right to change the circumstances in which any of the discounts on your account are applied and the amount of discount and the level at which fares are capped. We will provide notice of any change in accordance with the ‘Changes’ section of this agreement.
4.8 A 15% saving the cost of hot food & drink from all Steam Coffee Company and ReFuel outlets is available to Travel Card holders who paid for their journey using their card and have a valid balance at midnight the day before travel. The Travel Card must be presented at the point of purchase. Not valid in conjunction with any other Food & Beverage offer.
4.9 You agree that we may impose additional fees and charges at any time by giving you notice as set out in the ‘Changes’ section of this agreement.
4.10 My Red Funnel Rewards members will earn Rewards points on Travel Card bookings made for qualifying travel. Points will be validated at midnight the day after travel. Points cannot be earned against sponsored travel.
4.11 No Rewards points are earned/issued at the point a Travel Card is topped up.
4.12 My Red Funnel Rewards points can be used to pay / part-pay for Travel Card bookings but cannot be used to pay / part-pay for Travel Card top-ups.
4.13 If you decide to travel on a more expensive sailing or extend the length of your stay you will also have to pay the fare difference
4.14 If you move to a cheaper sailing, no refund will made as there's no guarantee we can re-sell your booked space.
5.1 For new members joining the Travel Card scheme for the first time, the following vehicle and passenger discount levels apply based on the top-up amount shown in the table below.
Discount off Red Funnel Standard Public Fares
| Discount level | Top-up amount | Vehicles & trailers up to 5.5m in length | Vehicles over 5.5m in length | Motor cycles & scooters | Foot passengers (incl Red Jet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £250 | 6% | 0% | 25% | 10% |
| 2 | £500 | 10% | 0% | 30% | 10% |
| 3 | £1,000 | 20% | 10% | 35% | 10% |
5.2 The discount level will remain in place until the credit has been exhausted or the card is next topped-up. Depending on the top-up amount, a new discount level may apply.
6.1 You may use your Travel Card account to purchase, subject to adequate funds, standard Red Funnel public foot passenger tickets and ferry fares, subject to availability, for private vehicles up to 8 meters in length. Both ‘Saver’ and ‘Flexi’ fare types are available for the most common types of vehicle including an optional Premium add-on for vehicles up to 5.5m which are not towing a trailer/caravan. Note: Travel Card discount levels will not apply to tactical offers and promotions.
- Cars, 4x4, MPVs & small vans up to 5.5m in length and 2.0m in height (including the occupants).
- Motorhomes, campervans, horseboxes up to 15m in length (including the occupants).
- Minibuses up to 8m in length (including the occupants).
- Trailers/caravans if towed by a vehicle not exceeding 5.5m in length.
- Motorcycles/scooters (including up to two people).
- Large vans/commercial vehicles 5.6-8m in length (including the occupants).
- Standard foot passenger fares (Southampton/East Cowes).
- Standard Red Jet Hi-Speed passenger fares (Southampton/West Cowes - only available from ticket offices, please check opening hours).
- Foot passengers with bicycles.
- Signature Lounge
You must not:
7.1 Attempt to use a Travel Card account to book travel for vehicles over 8m in length OR purchase Season Tickets, Saver Tickets, Excursion tickets, food or drinks from ReFuel, ReFuel Express, Steam Coffee Company OR third party supplied products such as accommodation, attraction tickets, event and festival tickets and activity packages.
7.2 Use your account to purchase travel for the purpose of resale.
7.3 Use your account to purchase travel for anybody other than immediate family members.
7.4 Attempt to use your account if your card has been reported lost or stolen or your account has been suspended or closed.
7.5 Disclose your card/account login or PIN details to anybody apart from your immediate family.
7.6 We reserve the right to close your account immediately should you break the terms of this agreement.
8.1 To access your account online you will login via a secure area on Red Funnel’s website using a unique email address and 10 digit password.
8.2 To make a Travel Card purchase online you are required to login and enter your 4 digit PIN number correctly in order to complete the transaction.
8.3 If making a Travel Card purchase by telephone or in-person you will be asked to quote two correct digits from your 4 digit PIN number.
8.4 You can change your PIN number online by first entering your existing PIN number correctly. If you forget your PIN number email [email protected] and request to reset it.
9.1 Correspondence relating to your Travel Card account including changes to this agreement will sent to you electronically by email with links to view information on the website or mailed to you at the postal address which is maintained in our records for your account.
9.2 You agree that it is your responsibility to read and act upon such communications, regardless of how it is delivered.
9.3 eTickets will be issued automatically via email but if you do not wish to receive ad-hoc correspondence relating to your Travel Card account by email it is your responsibility to notify us that you do not wish to receive communication in this form.
9.4 If you wish to receive marketing related material via email you will need to change your preference settings and opt-in via the ‘My Red Funnel’ section of the website.
9.5 It is your responsibility to maintain and update your account details online or in writing if you change your address or other contact information (such as telephone number or email address). We are not responsible for any failure to receive any communication if it is found that the communication is returned to us because your contact details are not up-to-date.
10.1 Although you and any supplementary cardholders use cards on your account, all Travel Cards issued remain our property at all times. You may be asked and you agree to return the card(s) to us upon request. Damaged cards will be replaced upon request.
11.1 You must tell us immediately by email to [email protected] if:
- The Travel Card is lost or stolen,
- A replacement card has not been received,
- Someone else learns of your account login, password or PIN number,
- You suspect your account is being misused or a transaction is authorized or
- You suspect a transaction has been processed incorrectly.
11.2 Where a card is reported lost or stolen the account will be suspended and any remaining credit will be transferred to a new account and a replacement Travel Card issued within five working days.
11.3 If a Travel Card that you have reported lost or stolen is later found you must contact us immediately.
11.4 If there are errors in a transaction and this is our fault, we may reverse the transaction and restore your account as if the transaction had not taken place. We reserve the right to charge the correct transaction amount to your account.
11.5 If upon contacting us, you wish to dispute a transaction we will initiate an inquiry. Once investigations are complete, we will adjust your account accordingly.
11.6 A Travel Card is no longer valid if it has been defaced, is illegible or has been tampered with.
12.1 We may immediately stop you or any supplementary cardholder from using the account for security reasons, if we suspect unauthorized and/or fraudulent use. In these cases we may notify you beforehand or immediately afterwards and provide you with the reasons for our decision.
12.2 This agreement will continue if we take such action and you will still be responsible for all charges on your account.
12.3 We will reinstate your rights to use the account or provide you with a new Travel Card account if the reasons for suspending the account no longer apply.
13.1 You (or your executors or powers of attorney) may end this agreement at any time by stopping use of your account and requesting the closure of your account in writing and returning your Travel Card and any supplementary cards that have been issued to us.
13.2 Once we are in receipt of your closure request and your Travel Card and any supplementary cards, we will suspend your account until any non-travelled tickets or bookings paid for using funds from your account have been made or cancelled by you. Any charges resulting from amending or cancelling non-travelled bookings will be charged to your account.
13.3 Any funds remaining in your account will then be refunded minus a) any standard cancellation charges applying to non-travelled tickets/bookings that you have asked us to cancel minus b) the fare savings you have made on purchases paid for using the last top-up(s) to your account. If there are insufficient funds in your account to cover a+b you will be asked to pay using a valid debit/credit card. An administration fee of £20 will also be applied.
13.4 Once any closing balance has been refunded to your debit/credit card, the account will be closed.
13.5 We can end this agreement or cancel any or all Travel Cards issued immediately if you are in default or at any time but unless there are exceptional circumstances, we will give you 30 days notice.
14.1 We may withdraw or change any provision of this agreement at any time, including the levels of discount, the charges and benefits and services associated with the account. We will inform you of most variations in writing at least 30 days in advance of any changes to the terms unless the change is to your advantage. You will be deemed to have accepted the changes unless you notify us to the contrary in writing prior to the date on which the changes will take effect. If you end this agreement in writing before the date on which the changes will take effect you will receive a full refund of any monies stored on your account.
14.2 If we have made a major change or a significant number of minor changes in any one year, we may publish an updated copy of this agreement or a summary of the changes which can be viewed on the website.
15.1 As the named Travel Card account holder you are responsible for all transactions made using your account.
15.2 It is your responsibility to ensure that there is no prohibited use of your account by you and any supplementary cardholders. You will be responsible for any prohibited use of your account even if we did not prevent or stop the prohibited use.
15.3 You are liable for all unauthorized transactions where travel that has been completed prior to contacting us to suspend the account.
15.4 You will not be held liable for non-traveled purchases that can be cancelled in advance of travel unless:
- you did not comply with this agreement intentionally or
- you contributed to, were involved in, or benefited from the loss, theft or misuse, in which case you will be liable for the full amount of all non-traveled purchases.
16.1 We are not responsible or liable to you or any supplementary cardholder for
- any costs, damages or expenses arising out of our failure to carry out our obligations under this agreement if that failure is caused by a third party or because of a systems failure, data processing failure, industrial dispute or other action outside our control; and
- loss of profits or any incidental, indirect, consequential, punitive or special damages regardless of how they arise.
17.1 We may assign, transfer or sell our rights, benefits or obligations under this agreement at any time to a third party and you consent to this without us having to notify you.
17.2 If we do so, or intend to do so, you agree that we can give information about you and your account to the third party or related party. Your statutory rights will not be affected.
If we fail to exercise any of our rights under this agreement, this will not be a waiver of our rights and will not prevent us from exercising them later.
This agreement is governed by the laws of England and the courts of England shall have jurisdiction over all parties involved in this agreement.
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Points of Interest
On both sides of the Solent, there’s lots to see and do whether you’re crossing for leisure, for work, or simply for a change of scenery. Explore points of interest on the Isle of Wight and in and around Southampton.
Royal Pier Pavilion
This one’s easy to spot as you arrive at our Southampton ferry terminal, particularly at night when it’s lit up in purple lights! When Red Funnel was first formed, we ran a fleet of paddle steamers that operated excursions to destinations around the Island, and along the south coast. These departed from “Royal Pier”, and the impressive pavilion building is still in use as a restaurant.
Ocean Cruise Terminal
This striking landmark on Southampton’s waterfront is where you’ll find some of the world’s largest cruise ships docking. See if you can spot some of the famous Cunard and P&O Cruises vessels as you depart for the Island, and if you’re travelling in the late afternoon/early evening you might even get to sail alongside them as they depart Southampton for their global destinations.
Hythe Pier
The Hythe pier is difficult to miss, as at 640 metres in length, it’s the 7th longest in Britain. It is also the home of the world’s oldest working pier train, which links the village of Hythe and its marina to a small ferry that runs a regular service to the City of Southampton.
Netley Chapel
This striking chapel, on the eastern side of the river, is all that now remains of one of Britain’s first purpose-built hospitals. Constructed for veterans of the Crimean War, the original 220-acre site was the largest of its time but was demolished after a fire in 1966. The site is now open to the public as part of Royal Victoria Country Park.
Calshot Castle
The picturesque Calshot Castle was originally built by Henry VIII to defend the entrance to Southampton waters. As our ferry reaches the Solent, the castle is easily visible at the end of Calshot Spit, which extends from the west into the main waters, with Calshot beach and its long row of beach huts visible further along.
Columbine Building
The striking Columbine building on the East Cowes waterfront has been a central point of Island industry for many years. Starting with Saunders Roe, which was involved in everything from sea planes, hovercrafts, and rockets, and is currently home to Wight Shipyard, which built two of Red Funnel’s Red Jet fleet. When you spot the iconic Union Jack doors, you’ve arrived on the Island!
Other Red Funnel Ferries
Southampton’s waters and the Solent are always busy with shipping movements, not least with our very own Red Funnel fleet. At peak time we will often have our three vehicle ferries, two Hi-Speed passenger ferries, and our freight ferry all out on the water – so watch out for them, and don’t forget to give our other passengers and crew a customary wave!
Cowes Castle
As you approach the Island and arrive at Cowes Harbour, you’ll see another of Henry VIII’s forts, Cowes Castle. The castle is now home and clubhouse to the Royal Yacht Squadron, whose Club organises yacht racing as a principal feature of the now globally famous Cowes Week regatta. Look carefully at the front and you might see the cannons that are used for starting races.