See real-time ferry service status and updates.
The Red Funnel team strives to keep our passengers updated about any potential travel disruptions, delays, or changes to service status. Below you’ll find our latest travel updates as well as the live status of the next 15 departures from the Isle of Wight and Southampton, along with our vessel map displaying the latest positions of our ferries.
Travel Updates
BOXING DAY TRAVEL - RED JET
Due to the limited availability of essential crew, our Boxing Day Red Jet sailings are likely to have reduced capacity throughout the day.
We recommend using our Vehicle Ferry service as an alternative, especially if you are travelling across for the Saints FC vs West Ham game.
Please note the final sailings on Boxing Day are as follows:
Vehicle Ferry - Dept Southampton 1800 / Dept East Cowes 1930
Red Jet - Dept Southampton 1940 / Dept West Cowes 2015
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR TIMETABLES
If you're travelling over the festive period, please note we'll be running a slightly revised Vehicle Ferry & Hi-Speed service.
Please find our timetables for over Christmas and the New Year below:
Vehicle Ferry Timetable (23 Dec - 2 Jan)
Red Jet Timetable (21 Dec - 2 Jan)
VEHICLE FERRY LIFTS
Are you due to travel on the Vehicle Ferry and need to use the lift on your crossing? Please call us on 023 8001 9192 in advance of your sailing for assistance.
Real Time Ferry Service Status
Points of Interest
On both sides of the Solent, there’s lots to see and do whether you’re crossing for leisure, for work, or simply for a change of scenery. Explore points of interest on the Isle of Wight and in and around Southampton.
Royal Pier Pavilion
This one’s easy to spot as you arrive at our Southampton ferry terminal, particularly at night when it’s lit up in purple lights! When Red Funnel was first formed, we ran a fleet of paddle steamers that operated excursions to destinations around the Island, and along the south coast. These departed from “Royal Pier”, and the impressive pavilion building is still in use as a restaurant.
Ocean Cruise Terminal
This striking landmark on Southampton’s waterfront is where you’ll find some of the world’s largest cruise ships docking. See if you can spot some of the famous Cunard and P&O Cruises vessels as you depart for the Island, and if you’re travelling in the late afternoon/early evening you might even get to sail alongside them as they depart Southampton for their global destinations.
Hythe Pier
The Hythe pier is difficult to miss, as at 640 metres in length, it’s the 7th longest in Britain. It is also the home of the world’s oldest working pier train, which links the village of Hythe and its marina to a small ferry that runs a regular service to the City of Southampton.
Netley Chapel
This striking chapel, on the eastern side of the river, is all that now remains of one of Britain’s first purpose-built hospitals. Constructed for veterans of the Crimean War, the original 220-acre site was the largest of its time but was demolished after a fire in 1966. The site is now open to the public as part of Royal Victoria Country Park.
Calshot Castle
The picturesque Calshot Castle was originally built by Henry VIII to defend the entrance to Southampton waters. As our ferry reaches the Solent, the castle is easily visible at the end of Calshot Spit, which extends from the west into the main waters, with Calshot beach and its long row of beach huts visible further along.
Columbine Building
The striking Columbine building on the East Cowes waterfront has been a central point of Island industry for many years. Starting with Saunders Roe, which was involved in everything from sea planes, hovercrafts, and rockets, and is currently home to Wight Shipyard, which built two of Red Funnel’s Red Jet fleet. When you spot the iconic Union Jack doors, you’ve arrived on the Island!
Other Red Funnel Ferries
Southampton’s waters and the Solent are always busy with shipping movements, not least with our very own Red Funnel fleet. At peak time we will often have our three vehicle ferries, two Hi-Speed passenger ferries, and our freight ferry all out on the water – so watch out for them, and don’t forget to give our other passengers and crew a customary wave!
Cowes Castle
As you approach the Island and arrive at Cowes Harbour, you’ll see another of Henry VIII’s forts, Cowes Castle. The castle is now home and clubhouse to the Royal Yacht Squadron, whose Club organises yacht racing as a principal feature of the now globally famous Cowes Week regatta. Look carefully at the front and you might see the cannons that are used for starting races.