Plan ferries to and from Southampton in United Kingdom, with route choices, harbour guidance and ideas for the rest of your journey.
Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
Ferry connections and port planning in United Kingdom
Southampton Terminal 1 is Red Funnel’s vehicle-ferry terminal near Town Quay. Road access links with the central Southampton network and onward routes to the M3 and M27. Southampton Terminal 2 is Red Funnel’s Red Jet passenger terminal near Town Quay. It is separate from Terminal 1, which handles the East Cowes vehicle ferry.
This guide brings together 2 route guides involving Southampton. Open a crossing below for its departure and arrival ports, operator information and practical planning details.
The linked route guides cover Southampton Terminal 1 to East Cowes, Southampton Terminal 2 to West Cowes. Compare the actual departure and arrival ports when planning a stay in Southampton; a nearby port can mean a different transfer or onward journey.
Use Terminal 1 for Red Funnel vehicle ferries to East Cowes. Use the terminal shown on your Red Jet ticket for West Cowes. East Cowes and West Cowes are different arrival points.
These are route guides for planning a trip to or from Southampton. Sailing dates, seasonal operation and availability must be checked for the journey you intend to make.
Southampton to East Cowes is Red Funnel’s main passenger and vehicle ferry route. The crossing takes about one hour and carries cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, caravans and foot passengers. Open the guide for Southampton Terminal 1 to East Cowes to compare the port approach, operator details and onward journey.
Red Funnel
Southampton to West Cowes is Red Funnel’s Red Jet high-speed passenger service. The crossing takes about 28 to 30 minutes and is aimed at pedestrians, personal luggage and bicycles rather than cars. Open the guide for Southampton Terminal 2 to West Cowes to compare the port approach, operator details and onward journey.
Red Funnel
Use the terminal named on your booking when arranging a transfer or planning the drive. Include time to reach check-in, and allow for disembarkation before committing to a bus, train or onward ferry.
If you are joining separate ferry journeys, check each leg and leave a practical connection margin.
Browse tours and activities around Southampton to combine with your ferry journey. Check the meeting point, start time and return arrangements against your sailing before booking an experience.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
The route guides on this page cover East Cowes, West Cowes. Check the specific sailing calendar before assuming a crossing runs on your dates.
Use the ferry search link on this page, then enter the actual departure port, destination and travel date. Confirm the route and operator shown in the results.
Passenger and vehicle options depend on the route and vessel. Select the correct travel type and check the itinerary before booking.
The route catalogue includes departures towards East Cowes, West Cowes. Each direction has its own guide so that you can check the correct starting pier and arrival arrangements. A listed connection may be seasonal, a multi-stop itinerary or a former service; read its service status before making plans.
No matches. Try a different place name or clear the filters.
Southampton Terminal 1 is Red Funnel’s vehicle-ferry terminal near Town Quay. Road access links with the central Southampton network and onward routes to the M3 and M27.
Pin the precise ferry terminal before travelling to Southampton. Some towns have separate passenger quays, vehicle terminals and excursion-boat landings. The operator’s address on your confirmation is more useful than a town-centre map pin.
For a car journey, leave a margin for the final approach, queueing and check-in. Without a car, confirm the last part of the journey from the railway station or bus stop. A short map distance may involve port roads or areas closed to pedestrians; use a confirmed transfer or walking route.
Keep your booking reference and required documents accessible. If you need step-free boarding, help with luggage or space for a bicycle, arrange it before the day of travel. Small piers and large vehicle terminals can offer very different facilities.
For a trip from northern or central England, an overnight sailing can replace a long drive south and an extra hotel stop. For Brittany, Normandy or northern Spain, arriving farther west may save substantial mileage after disembarkation. Compare the complete outward and return itinerary, including cabins, road tolls, fuel and port transfers.
Check your arrival time against accommodation check-in and the next transport service. If this is an island stay, organise the return ferry before fixing a mainland flight or a long-distance train. The outward and return ports do not have to be the same, but separate tickets can have different conditions.
Check live sailing options, passenger fares, vehicle prices and onboard accommodation for your travel dates.
