Getting Around the Solent

Bus Services

Please see Hampshire Bus Timetables, Southampton timetables and Portsmouth timetables for details and operators around the mainland part of the Solent. Southern Vectis operate an Isle of Wight wide bus service all year, with open top buses on some routes in the summer.

Roads

The Solent mainland has good transport links to the rest of the country. The M27 runs parallel to the Hampshire coast with links to Southampton via the M271, A33 and A334 and Portsmouth via the M275. To the East the A27 provides access to the West Sussex coastal towns. The Hampshire coastal towns can be reached by the following main roads: Gosport (A32), Hayling Island (A3023), Hythe and Fawley (A326) and Lymington (A337).

Many of the Isle of Wight's roads have outstanding views but they can be narrow and twisty so care is needed when driving on them. Tourist car park tickets are available from Tourist Information Centres, these can help to save money when using public car parks. These Centres also produce a wide range of maps highlighting scenic routes and attractions. Car ferries serve the Island from Southampton, Portsmouth and Lymington. Details of car parks are available from the relevant local or district council. Telephone numbers for the Solent's local authorities are available on the Solent Forum Members Directory Page.

Rail Services

There are direct rail services from London to Southampton, Portsmouth and Fareham. A shuttle bus links Southampton station with the Red Funnel ferry terminal for services to the Isle of Wight. Brockenhurst station in the New Forest has a local service to Lymington Pier, which connects with the Wightlink ferry service to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

Island line on the Isle of Wight operates a regular train service which connects with the passenger ferries at Ryde Pier Head and runs as far as Shanklin.

Ferry Services to the Isle of Wight

There are several regular services to the Island provided by three main carriers, Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel. All the passenger services have their roots in the steam packets of the 19th Century, and the early development of tourist traffic to the Island.

Wightlink Services

Wightlink runs services over three routes to and from the Island.

Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier (High Speed FastCat Passenger Service)
Portsmouth to Fishbourne (Car and Passenger Service)
Lymington to Yarmouth (Car and Passenger Service)

Red Funnel Services

Red Jet Hi-Speed: Southampton to West Cowes (passenger only)
Passenger/Vehicle Ferry: Southampton to East Cowes

Hovertravel

Southsea to Ryde hovercraft service (Passenger Service)

Local Ferry Services

There are a number of popular local ferry services operating across parts of the Solent:

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