Travelling with kids changes what matters on a ferry crossing. A shorter crossing sounds better on paper, but if it means no car, no space to spread out, and limited luggage room, it isn't automatically the easier choice for a family. Here's how the three operators actually compare once you factor in car seats, luggage, and child fares.
Key Takeaways
- Under-3s travel free on both Wightlink and Red Funnel car ferries; ages 3–15 get a reduced rate on both.
- Under-5s travel free on Hovertravel when accompanied by a paying adult.
- If you're bringing a car, keeping kids in their own car seats for the whole crossing (via Wightlink or Red Funnel) is generally easier than managing them on a foot-passenger-only service.
If You're Bringing a Car: Wightlink or Red Funnel
For most families, bringing a car is the practical choice — it means car seats stay fitted, snacks and toys stay in the boot, and there's no juggling luggage through a foot-passenger terminal. Both car ferry operators offer a genuinely easier experience for this reason alone, regardless of which is marginally cheaper on a given date.
Wightlink (Portsmouth–Fishbourne) is the shorter car crossing at 45 minutes (Wightlink, retrieved 2026-07-03), useful if younger children don't sit still for long. Red Funnel (Southampton–East Cowes) takes an hour, but has more onboard space to move around if staying in the car isn't necessary for your kids.
Both operators charge under-3s free and offer a reduced rate for ages 3–15, with the standard adult fare applying from 16 upwards. Passengers travelling with a vehicle are charged separately from the car fare itself, so a family of four in one car pays the vehicle fare plus passenger fares for everyone aboard.
If You're Foot Passengers: Consider the Crossing Length Carefully
A 22-minute or under-10-minute crossing sounds appealing with young kids, and it usually is — but foot-passenger routes mean managing luggage, buggies, and children through a terminal on both ends, without the car as a base to retreat to. For families with a lot of kit (buggies, multiple bags, camping equipment), this is genuinely more effort than it looks on paper, even on the shortest routes.
Hovertravel (Southsea–Ryde) is the shortest crossing of all three operators, at under 10 minutes (Hovertravel, retrieved 2026-07-03) — genuinely useful for younger children who don't tolerate longer journeys well. Under-5s travel free with a paying adult.
Wightlink FastCat (Portsmouth Harbour–Ryde Pier Head) takes 22 minutes and has a fuller passenger lounge with more space to spread out, which can suit families better than the more compact hovercraft cabin if you have more than one child or a lot of hand luggage.
Cost for a Family of Four
Exact family pricing varies by date and which fare type you book, but the age-based discount structure is consistent: with two adults and two children aged 3–15 in one car, you'll pay one vehicle fare, two adult passenger fares, and two reduced child fares — considerably less than four full adult fares plus the vehicle cost. Always check the specific child age bands when booking, since the reduced-rate cutoff (typically 15) and free-travel cutoff (typically under 3, or under 5 on Hovertravel) differ slightly between operators.
Practical Tips for Travelling With Kids
Book a specific sailing time in advance for car crossings. Both Wightlink and Red Funnel require a booked sailing for vehicles — arriving without a booking risks a long wait, which is harder with young children than adults.
Pack a "crossing bag" separate from your main luggage with snacks, entertainment, and anything you need mid-journey, so you're not digging through the boot or a full suitcase mid-crossing.
If travelling foot-passenger, check the buggy and luggage policy for whichever service you're booking — space is more limited on Hovertravel's hovercraft than on the fuller Wightlink FastCat catamaran.
Consider timing around nap schedules. A 45-minute to 1-hour car ferry crossing can double as nap time if you plan the sailing around it — something the under-10-minute Hovertravel crossing doesn't allow for.
Which Operator Should You Choose?
For most families bringing a car, Wightlink's shorter 45-minute crossing or Red Funnel's fuller onboard space are both reasonable choices — check live prices for your travel date since neither is consistently cheaper, per our Wightlink vs Red Funnel comparison. For foot-passenger families prioritising a short crossing, Hovertravel's under-10-minute hop is hard to beat, though Wightlink FastCat's fuller lounge suits families with more luggage. See our full ferry comparison for pricing across all three operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children travel free on Isle of Wight ferries?
Under-3s travel free on both Wightlink and Red Funnel car ferries, with a reduced rate for ages 3–15. Hovertravel offers free travel for under-5s when accompanied by a paying adult. Always confirm the exact age bands with the operator when booking, as they can be updated.
Is it easier to bring a car with young kids on the Isle of Wight ferry?
For most families, yes. Keeping children in their own car seats for the crossing, with luggage and supplies in the boot, is generally less disruptive than managing kids and kit through a foot-passenger terminal — even though car crossings (45 minutes to 1 hour) take longer than the foot-passenger routes.
What's the shortest ferry crossing for families with young children?
Hovertravel's hovercraft between Southsea and Ryde, at under 10 minutes, is the shortest of the three routes — useful for younger children who don't tolerate longer crossings well. It's foot passengers only, so this only works if you don't need a car on the island.
Can I bring a buggy on the Isle of Wight ferry?
Yes, on all three operators, though space varies. Wightlink and Red Funnel's car ferries have the most room. Wightlink's FastCat catamaran to Ryde has a fuller passenger lounge than Hovertravel's more compact hovercraft cabin, which is worth considering if you're travelling foot-passenger with a buggy and other kit.
Related: Cheapest Isle of Wight ferry (all 3 operators) · Best ferry for foot passengers · Wightlink vs Red Funnel: which is cheapest?
