The ferry is the Isle of Wight's connection to the rest of the world — and at full price, it's expensive. A return crossing with a car at peak times can cost well over £150. But if you live on the island, you qualify for resident discount schemes that substantially reduce that cost. Most residents don't use them as effectively as they could.
Wightlink Multilink Card
Wightlink's resident discount scheme gives registered IoW residents a significantly reduced per-crossing rate for their vehicle on the Portsmouth–Fishbourne and Lymington–Yarmouth routes.
What you get:
- Fixed vehicle rate on every car ferry crossing (no peak surcharge)
- Foot passenger crossings at reduced rates
- No peak/off-peak pricing — same rate year-round
- Confirm with Wightlink whether passengers are included in the vehicle pass or charged separately
Current approximate pricing (2026): Wightlink Multilink Vehicle Passes are bought in blocks of crossings. As a guide:
- 10-crossing pack: approximately £42 per crossing
- 60-crossing pack: approximately £33.50 per crossing (best value for frequent travellers)
The Multilink rate applies year-round regardless of peak or off-peak timing — avoiding the peak premium is the key benefit. Passengers are charged separately at standard foot-passenger rates on top of the vehicle pass.
For confirmed current rates, log in to your Wightlink account or call their customer service line — exact pricing is not shown on the public website.
How to apply:
- Visit the Wightlink website and search for "Multilink"
- Provide proof of Isle of Wight address — accepted documents include:
- Council tax bill (current year)
- Utility bill (within last 3 months)
- Bank statement (within last 3 months)
- NHS letter or driving licence showing IoW address
- Upload documents online or bring to a Wightlink sales office
- Receive card within 5–10 working days
Important: The Multilink discount applies to your registered vehicle. If you change your car, update the scheme to reflect the new registration.
Red Funnel — Southampton to East Cowes
Red Funnel runs the car ferry between Southampton and East Cowes. Their resident scheme is different from Wightlink's.
Red Funnel Loyalty: Red Funnel offers a frequent traveller loyalty scheme with discounts accumulating per crossing. IoW residents who use the Southampton route regularly will find it worthwhile to register and accrue points.
Contact Red Funnel directly to understand the current resident discount options — schemes and pricing are updated periodically.
Wightlink Foot Passenger Discounts
If you travel without a vehicle, Wightlink offers multitrip and season ticket options:
| Ticket Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Multitrip book | Regular foot-passenger commuters |
| Season ticket | Daily or near-daily crossings |
| Single | Occasional travel |
Season tickets offer the best value for people who commute to Portsmouth, Southampton, or Lymington for work regularly.
Hovertravel — Ryde to Southsea
The hovercraft service between Ryde and Southsea (Portsmouth) is foot-passengers only. Hovertravel offer a commuter season ticket that cuts the cost significantly versus buying individual crossings.
The crossing takes under 10 minutes — the fastest way to reach Portsmouth. Standard single fare is approximately £25; a day return is approximately £34. Annual or monthly season tickets are available and offer significant savings for daily commuters; check the Hovertravel website for current pricing.
Blue Badge Holders
Passengers with a Blue Badge disability permit receive a reduced rate on Wightlink and Red Funnel car ferry services. This applies to the vehicle carrying the Blue Badge holder. Show the Blue Badge at point of travel.
Children and Young People
| Age | Wightlink | Red Funnel |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | Free | Free |
| 3–15 | Reduced rate | Reduced rate |
| 16+ | Adult fare | Adult fare |
Under-5s travel free on Hovertravel with a paying adult.
How Much Can You Save?
Example: Solo driver, 2 return crossings per month, Portsmouth–Fishbourne:
| Fare Type | One-way cost (car + 1 adult) | Return cost | Annual (24 returns) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard peak | ~£87 | ~£174 | ~£4,176 |
| Standard off-peak | ~£56 | ~£112 | ~£2,688 |
| Multilink 10-pack | ~£57 | ~£114 | ~£2,736 |
| Multilink 60-pack | ~£49 | ~£97 | ~£2,328 |
The 60-pack Multilink rate saves around £360/yr versus standard off-peak, and considerably more if you're often travelling at peak times. For families, passengers are still charged at standard rates on top of the vehicle pass.
Tip: The Multilink 60-pack is only worthwhile if you'll use all 60 crossings before it expires.
For residents who cross monthly or more, signing up for the Multilink card is one of the simplest financial decisions you can make.
Quick Checklist
- Apply for Wightlink Multilink with IoW address proof
- Register your vehicle registration on the scheme
- Contact Red Funnel about resident/loyalty options
- If commuting to Portsmouth: check Hovertravel season tickets
- Update scheme if you change vehicles
Related: Should I bring my car to the Isle of Wight? · Ferry cost calculator · Buying a car on the mainland to bring over
