Train Travel From Chelmsford To Isle Of Wight

[khaleesi]

Should i get the train to Portsmouth harbour if I'm getting the ferry from Portsmouth to the isle of Wight (ryde)? Is the train station near to the ferry or would I need to get a taxi?

[fiction-factory]

This may help
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/PMH.aspx

[TonyV]

Khaleesi where do you want to get to on the Island and what time do you want to arrive?

[Mamyalynne]

Brittany Ferry site states a £5 (approx) taxi ride from the station to the terminal.

[khaleesi]

brilliant, It looks like the ferry is right next to the train. Thanks for the link Fiction Factory.

I'm viewing a property there Tony, the estate agent has been really nice and said he can pick me up from ryde and take me there. I'm looking to go next week

[khaleesi]

oh, it looks like its right next to the train line on the map

[khaleesi]

oh there's different ferry companies.

[TonyV]

Ok khaleesi I'm sure agent will be more than happy to pick you up at the ferry terminal then.

[TonyV]

Yes you will normally get best price for ferry booking if you can book as far in advance as you can.

[khaleesi]

Thank you tony, I wish I booked it sooner now, but i'm still gonna save some money though.

[New Judge]

Beware that the conventional ferries from Portsmouth do not go to Ryde. They pull in at Fishbourne which is a mile or two west of Ryde. You can get a "Fast Cat" from Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head (where you can either walk along the pier to the town centre or catch one of the 1938 London Underground trains which operate the service from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin (first stop Ryde Esplanade). Another alternative is a hovercraft from nearby Southsea. This travels to the hover terminal right in the centre of Rydel Esplanade and is the only regular hovercraft service operating in Britain. Journey times are forty minutes on the conventional ferry, about fifteen to twenty on the Fast Cat and about ten to fifteen on the hovercraft.

[TonyV]

Ok khaleesi, you will still get a better price than a walk on price on the day.

[TonyV]

NJ if khaleesi is viewing property, I'm sure estate agent will pick her up as and when she arrives.

[khaleesi]

This is a nightmare, i didn't realize there were so many ways to get to the island. Maybe i should talk to the estate agent about the best cause of action

[TonyV]

Maybe that's a good idea to ask the estate agent, I will not bother boring you with price comparison sites then.

[khaleesi]

oh no, please do tony. I think I need to find out how i'm actually crossing the channel first though.

[khaleesi]

although it will be a good thing to have all these travel options once i'm living there

[TonyV]

To be honest khaleesi, he will be able to give you best advice, or for independent advice try and get in touch with these people before you make final decision.

[TonyV]

You might find something here khaleesi?

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

[Buenchico]

Just to summarise, and possibly add to, the above:

The Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne leaves from the terminal immediately adjacent to Portsmouth Harbour station. The crossin takes about 45 minutes. However it's a 15-minute walk to the nearest bus stop, which is at Kite Hill and served by Southern Vectis route 9. Otherwise (unless someone is meeting you) you'll need to find a taxi. (Wightlink ticket office staff can suggest phone numbers).

The Wightlink seacat service also leaves from Portsmouth Harbour but operates to Ryde Pier Head, taking just 22 minutes. From there, Island Line trains run to Brading, Sandown and Shanklin or you can easily walk to Ryde Bus Station for connections to destinations across the Island.

Alternatively, instead of travelling to Portsmouth Harbour, you can take a train to Southampton Central. From there you can take a free shuttle bus (running every half hour) to Southampton ferry terminals. Red Funnel operate a conventional ferry from Terminal 1 to East Cowes (taking 55 to 60 mins) and a hi-speed ferry from Terminal 2 to West Cowes (taking 23 to 25 minutes). Buses connect with both services on the Isle of Wight.

The fastest crossing to the Isle of Wight is from Southsea to Ryde using Hovertravel's hovercraft service (10 minutes). To get to the terminal at Southsea you take the Hoverbus service from Portsmouth rail station. (£2 single, £3.50 return). Connections in Ryde are as above.

There's also a Wightlink ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth (40 minutes) but it's not easy to access by train from Chelmsford. (You need to get to Brockenhurst and then change to a service to Lymington Pier).

NB: Ryde Pier Head, Ryde Hoverport, East Cowes, West Cowes and Yarmouth (IoW) are all destinations recognised by the National Rail ticketing system. You can buy through tickets to any of them from Chelmsford, which will include the fare for the relevant crossing.

I've travelled from Suffolk to the Isle of Wight by train several times (which takes me through Chelmsford). I like to use the hovercraft from Southsea but that's possibly just because I'm still a big kid at heart. Otherwise I'd use the seacat from Portsmouth Harbour.

[Jonathan-Joe]

Consider using the Jubilee line Stratford to Waterloo. About 25 minutes direct. Probably quicker than any route via Liverpool Street which requires at least one change.