Wightlink and Red Funnel are the two vehicle ferry operators serving the Isle of Wight, and they're the two most commonly cross-shopped names for anyone bringing a car. Neither is reliably cheaper than the other — the answer depends on your travel date, the time of day, and whether you're travelling with a vehicle or on foot.
This comparison covers both operators' routes, foot-passenger and car pricing, and a real side-by-side price example, so you can see how the gap actually plays out.
Key Takeaways
- In an August 2026 comparison, Red Funnel was cheaper than Wightlink on both a Saturday booking (£286 vs £307) and a Sunday booking (£229 vs £269) for the same trip type.
- Red Funnel's foot passenger fares start from £14 one-way — cheaper than Wightlink's £28.20 day return starting price.
- Wightlink's Portsmouth route connects directly to London via rail; Red Funnel's Southampton route suits the New Forest and the south coast better.
Routes and Crossing Times
Wightlink runs car ferries between Portsmouth and Fishbourne, a 45-minute crossing at around 21 sailings a day (Wightlink, retrieved 2026-07-03). It also runs a quieter secondary route from Lymington to Yarmouth on the west side of the island.
Red Funnel runs car ferries between Southampton and East Cowes, a 1-hour crossing at around 19 sailings a day. Red Funnel also operates the Red Jet, a faster foot-passenger-only catamaran on the same Southampton–Cowes corridor.
Wightlink's route is shorter in crossing time, but Red Funnel's Southampton terminal has strong rail connections if you're arriving by train rather than driving to the port.
Price Comparison: Foot Passengers
For foot passengers, Red Funnel is the cheaper of the two in 2026. Red Funnel's fares to East or West Cowes start from £14 one-way, with an unadvertised Super Off-Peak Day Return around £11 per person that isn't bookable online (Isle of Wight Guru, "10 Ways To Get Cheap Red Funnel Foot Passenger Fares (2026)", retrieved 2026-07-03).
Wightlink's foot passenger day return starts from £28.20 — over double Red Funnel's standard one-way fare, though the two aren't a perfectly like-for-like comparison since one figure is a single fare and the other a day return.
Price Comparison: Car Ferries
Car ferry pricing is where the picture gets more complicated, because both operators price vehicle crossings dynamically rather than on a fixed rate card.
A real August 2026 price check gives a useful snapshot: a Saturday-to-Saturday lunchtime return cost £307 with Wightlink versus £286 with Red Funnel — Red Funnel cheaper by £21. For the same trip on a Sunday-to-Sunday booking, Wightlink came to £269 against Red Funnel's £229 — a £40 gap, nearly double the Saturday difference.
Red Funnel came out cheaper in both examples here, but this is one snapshot on one route pairing, at one point in the booking calendar — it's not a guarantee that Red Funnel will always beat Wightlink. Both operators adjust car ferry pricing by date, time, and demand, so getting a live quote from both for your specific travel dates is the only reliable way to know which is cheaper for your trip.
Why the Gap Changes by Day
The day-of-week effect shows up consistently in the pricing data: Saturday crossings cost meaningfully more than the same trip on a Sunday. This is because most island self-catering cottages run Saturday changeovers, which concentrates both incoming and outgoing car traffic onto the same day for both operators. If your accommodation allows a different changeover day, shifting your crossing off Saturday is one of the most effective ways to reduce the fare regardless of which operator you choose.
Which Route Suits You Better?
Beyond price, the two routes serve genuinely different journeys:
- Choose Wightlink (Portsmouth–Fishbourne) if you're travelling from London or the south-east — the M27/A3(M) corridor into Portsmouth and the direct rail line into Portsmouth Harbour make this the more convenient approach for that direction.
- Choose Red Funnel (Southampton–East Cowes) if you're coming from the New Forest, Winchester, or the wider south coast, or if you're arriving into Southampton by train and want a shorter walk or taxi to the terminal.
- Destination on the island matters too — Fishbourne sits close to Newport and the east side of the island, while East Cowes suits Newport, Cowes, and the north.
Current 2026 Discounts
Red Funnel is running 20% off car ferry and Red Jet foot passenger travel for journeys up to 31 December 2026, if booked by 31 July 2026 (Red Funnel, retrieved 2026-07-03). Wightlink has 10% off ferry travel for bookings made and travelled before 27 March 2027, excluding bank holidays and Isle of Wight Festival weekend, plus up to 40% off motorhome crossings at off-peak times.
If you live on the island, both operators' resident discount schemes will beat any of the general public pricing above — see our resident ferry discount guide for Wightlink Multilink and Red Funnel's resident scheme.
For the full three-operator picture including Hovertravel, see our cheapest Isle of Wight ferry guide. If you're bringing a car specifically, our cheapest ferry with a car guide covers vehicle-specific booking tips and hidden costs in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wightlink or Red Funnel cheaper for the Isle of Wight?
It depends on your travel date rather than one operator being consistently cheaper. In an August 2026 comparison, Red Funnel came out cheaper than Wightlink on both a Saturday and Sunday booking, but the gap ranged from £21 to £40. For foot passengers, Red Funnel's £14 one-way starting fare is clearly cheaper than Wightlink's £28.20 day return. Always compare live quotes for your actual dates.
Which route is faster, Wightlink or Red Funnel?
Wightlink's Portsmouth–Fishbourne crossing takes 45 minutes, compared to Red Funnel's Southampton–East Cowes crossing at 1 hour. Wightlink is the shorter crossing of the two vehicle routes, though Red Funnel's Southampton terminal may still work out quicker door-to-door depending on where you're travelling from.
Can I use either Wightlink or Red Funnel with a motorhome?
Yes, both operators carry motorhomes, though larger vehicles may incur a higher fare than a standard car — check your motorhome's dimensions against each operator's limits before booking. Wightlink currently offers up to 40% off motorhome crossings at off-peak times, which is worth checking if you're travelling in a larger vehicle.
Do Wightlink and Red Funnel go to the same part of the island?
No. Wightlink's car ferry lands at Fishbourne, near Newport and the east of the island. Red Funnel lands at East Cowes, suiting Newport, Cowes, and the north of the island. The right choice depends partly on where on the island you're actually headed, not just which crossing is cheaper.
Related: Cheapest Isle of Wight ferry (all 3 operators) · Cheapest ferry with a car · IoW resident ferry discount guide
