The Island is located just off the centre of Southern England and is linked to the mainland ports of Lymington, Southampton and Portsmouth by vehicle ferries and high speed passenger catamarans and hovercraft. There are three major ferry operators and the details of their services are below.

The mainland ferry terminals of Southampton and Portsmouth are both linked to London by fast rail and road services, the journey time taking between one and two hours. The London terminus is Waterloo Station. Tickets can be purchased straight through to some Island destinations, to include the ferry crossing.

The London airports of Heathrow and Gatwick are both about one and a half hours by road from the ferry terminals. Competitive long-haul taxis can be arranged by The Alpha Group (IOW) - this is likely to be less expensive than public transport if there are two or more passengers.

Travellers from Europe can fly directly to Southampton airport which is about twenty minutes by taxi from the Southampton ferry terminal.

• Red Funnel (Tel 023 8033 4010) - Southampton to West Cowes High Speed Passenger Ferry. Runs from early morning to late at night. Services about every half hour. Journey time 25 minutes.

• Red Funnel (Tel 023 8033 4010) - Southampton to East Cowes Passenger and Vehicle Ferry. Runs from early morning to late at night. Services about every hour. Journey time 55 minutes.

Visit the Red Funnel Web Site for timetable information and on-line bookings

• Wightlink (Tel 0870 582 7744) - Portsmouth to Ryde High Speed Passenger Catamaran. Runs from early morning to late at night. Services about every hour. Journey time 15 minutes.

• Wightlink (Tel 0870 582 7744) - Portsmouth to Fishbourne Passenger and Vehicle Ferry. Runs 24 hours. Services about every hour. Journey time 35 minutes.

• Wightlink (Tel 0870 582 7744) - Lymington to Yarmouth Passenger and Vehicle Ferry. Runs from early morning to late in the evening. Services about every hour. Journey time 30 minutes.

Visit the Wightlink Web Site for timetable information and on-line bookings

• Hovertravel (Tel 01983 811000) - Portsmouth to Ryde High Speed Passenger Hovercraft. Runs from early morning to late at night. Services about every half hour. Journey time 9 minutes.

Visit the Hovertravel Web Site for timetable information