In Southampton you’ll find the Quayconnect bus running between Southampton Central Train Station and Town Quay – hop off the bus here for onward Red Funnel ferry connections to the Isle of Wight.

The Quayconnect bus also overlaps with Bluestar bus routes in Southampton city centre, so it’s easy to get to your ferry whether you’re coming by train or by bus. It’s also free to travel on the Quayconnect bus when you show your ferry ticket. 

Foot passengers travelling to the Isle of Wight can choose between our vehicle ferry to East Cowes (1 hour) or the Hi-Speed Red Jet service to Cowes (28 minutes). Both bikes and dogs are permitted on both ferry routes to the Island, with a dedicated pet lounge on the vehicle ferry.

Whether you arrive in Cowes or East Cowes, you’ll find Southern Vectis bus routes just minutes away from both ferry terminals. The Island’s buses are dog friendly, with plenty of great attractions, walking trails and places to discover along the route.  Bikes are not permitted on the bus.

The Island also boasts two train lines, the Island Line between Shanklin and Ryde Esplanade and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway between Smallbrook (Ryde) and Wootton. Bikes are permitted aboard the Island line trains, handy for when your legs get tired! 

While there is no bus or train connection to the main steam railway station at Havenstreet, you can connect to the service via the Island Line train at Smallbrook Station and from the Number 9 bus via Staplers, alighting at Station Road in Wootton for the Wootton steam railway station – simply ask your driver if you are unsure. 

Hop on and off the Island’s buses and trains as much as you like throughout the day. 

Catching the bus from East Cowes:

Make your way from the terminal to Well Road, from here you can board the number 4 bus to Ryde Bus Interchange or number 5 to Newport Bus Station from outside Waitrose. At both Ryde and Newport, you’ll find good onward bus connections to the rest of the Island, as well as connections with the Island line train at Ryde.

Cycling from East Cowes:

East Cowes is a popular starting point for cyclists, with routes towards Wootton and Ryde around the coast, we well as easy riding into Newport and beyond.

Cycling from East Cowes to the Island Harbour Marina via Whippingham, you’ll find a cycle track following the River Medina to Newport where you can join the 32-mile Red Squirrel Trail. Once an old railway line, this flat off road cycle track takes you through countryside towards Sandown and Shanklin before looping back towards Newport. 

For a shorter ride, why not join the Red Squirrel trail at Newport towards Cowes, following the River Medina from East Cowes to Newport and then onwards from Newport to Cowes. In Cowes you can hop aboard the Red Jet back to Southampton or cross back over the river on the Isle of Wight Floating Bridge, travelling home the way you came. Please note the Red Jet can only carry up to 11 bikes at one time which are boarded on a first come first serve basis. 

Catching the bus from Cowes:

Take a short walk from the Red Jet terminal to Terminus Road (M&S Food) and board the number 1 bus to Newport. At Newport Bus Station you’ll find great onward connections to the rest of the Island.

There’s also plenty to do on foot in Cowes if you don’t fancy the bus or have time to kill. Explore a high street lined with independent shops selling everything from artwork and jewellery to fashion and toys, as well as an abundance of great places for a coffee and a cake, lunch or dinner with a tipple – from delicious bakeries and ice cream parlours to modern bistros and cocktail bars. 

For a walk by the sea, head right out of the Red Jet terminal along the high street towards Cowes Parade.

Once you’re beside the sea, follow the path all the way along to Gurnard where you’ll find a lovely green with a children’s playpark, a pebble beach and great pub, The Woodvale. This is a flat walk taking around 35 minutes from Cowes to Gurnard, great for a stroll with the dog or children with bikes or scooters, or in prams or strollers.

Cycling from Cowes:

Cycling out of Cowes, you’ll find long sweeping roads towards the scenic West Wight – a popular route with local and visiting cyclists.  From the Red Jet, head straight up Park Road towards Wyatts Lane and onward to Rolls Hill, or for a less busy and slightly longer scenic route, follow the sea towards the village of Gurnard, onto Rew Street and onto Rolls Hill – from here you can cycle towards Porchfield, Newtown, Shalfleet, Yarmouth and Freshwater or turn off at Whitehouse Road and head for the Middle Road towards Afton or the famous Military Road. 

The family friendly 32-mile Red Squirrel cycle route also starts from Arctic Road in Cowes, a flat off-road cycle route direct to Newport town, then continuing towards Sandown and Shanklin, before looping back the way you came. 

For those cycling the leg-burning 65-mile route around the Island, the Floating Bridge connects East Cowes and Cowes across the River Medina, and costs £1 each way or £1.50 return.

Many of the Island’s best attractions are connected by bus routes, with regular buses throughout the day and year-round. 

If you’re planning to get around by bus while visiting the Island, purchasing a 24- or 48-hour Bus Rover is a great way to save pennies, with unlimited bus rides for the duration of your ticket - available as group or single tickets. You can also purchase credit on a Key Card, which enables you to tap on and off the bus as you like and multi-day passes for longer stays.

Here are some attractions and landmarks you can reach via a bus; you’ll find that most routes set off from either Newport Bus Station or Ryde Interchange. 

From Cowes, catch the number 1 direct to Newport Bus Station. From East Cowes, catch the number 4 bus to Ryde Interchange and number 5 bus to Newport Bus Station. 

• Osborne House, East Cowes – Route 4 and 5
• Monkey Haven, Newport – Route 9 via Staplers
• Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet – Route 9 via Staplers (Wootton Station)
• Butterfly World, Newport – Route 9 via Staplers
• Island Riding Centre, Newport – Route 9 via Staplers
• Quarr Abbey, Binstead - Route 9
• The Needles, Alum Bay – Route 7 or 12
• Carisbrooke Castle, Newport – Route 7 or 12
• St Catherine’s Lighthouse, Niton – Route 6
• Blackgang Chine, Ventnor – Route 6
• The Pepperpot, Chale – Route 6
• Amazon World, Arreton – Route 8
• Arreton Barns, Arreton – Route 8
• Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown – Route 2, 3, 8
• Sandham Gardens, Sandown – Route 2, 3, 8
• Dinosaur Isle, Sandown – Route 2, 3, 8
• Sandown Pier, Sandown – Route 2, 3, 8
• The National Poo Museum, Sandown – Route 2, 3, 8
• Culver Down, Sandown – Route 8
• Tapnell Farm, Yarmouth – Route 27 (seasonal)
• Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Wroxall – Route 3