Visting the Island for Pride

Getting to the Island

There are 6 routes to the Isle of Wight:

  • Southsea to Ryde - Hovertravel Hovercraft (Passenger Only)

  • Southampton to East Cowes - Red Funnel Ferry (Passenger and Vehicles)

  • Southampton to Cowes (West Cowes) - Red Funnel RedJet (Passenger Only)

  • Portsmouth to Fishbourne - Wightlink Ferry (Passenger and Vehicles)

  • Lymington to Yarmouth - Wightlink Ferry (Passenger and Vehicles)

  • Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier - Wightlink FastCat (Passenger Only)

If you’re traveling to the Island for Pride, we have discounts available for all of these routes over the pride weekend:

Hovertravel Info & Bookings

Red Funnel Info & Bookings

Wightlink Info & Bookings

The Visit Isle of Wight website has lots more information on trains, coach services and even flight details to get you to one of the ferry terminals. Be sure to come back here and check whether our discounts save you money on your ferry before booking!

About Ryde

Ryde is the home of Isle of Wight Pride and largest town on the Isle of Wight. With its prominent position along the seafront and hovercraft and passenger ferry links it is little wonder it is often referred to as “The Gateway to the Island”.

In addition to an expanse of sandy beach which stretches right along the seafront, Ryde has a great selection of boutique shops, museums and galleries for you to visit along with lots of other things to see and do along its esplanade.

Ryde offers a great variety of things to do which will interest all ages, not least of which are the hovercraft and catamaran ferry from which you can travel to and from the mainland.

Hovertravel is the world’s oldest hovercraft operator and operate the only scheduled hovercraft passenger service in Europe, whereas a trip on the Wightlink catamaran service will take you down Ryde’s recently restored early 19th century pier, which carries both vehicle traffic and train services.

PLACES TO EAT

Restraunts across the Island offer cuisines from around the globe as well as a good range of bars and pubs for more traditional “pub grub”. For advice on where to eat across the Island, visit Matt and Cat’s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide and Visit Isle of Wight’s Guide.

THINGS TO DO

As the largest town on the Isle of Wight it is little surprise that Ryde is the venue for some of the biggest events that take place annually, with Isle of Wight Pride being the newest and largest!

The Isle of Wight also has a large carnival programme, with parades in each major town throughout the summer season!

Plus, there is a huge range of attractions and activities right across the Island, many of which are open throughout the year and in all weathers.

PLACES TO STAY

As a long established seaside resort, Ryde has a number of traditional hotels and guesthouses available to those looking for accommodation in Ryde. Ryde also has a Travelodge.

Further afield, the Island has a wide range of accomodation options, including hotels, holiday cottages, self-catering breaks, campsites and even farm stays.

There are also 3 Premier Inn and 2 Travelodge hotels on the Island.

If you are staying on the Island, check with your accomodation provider as they often have access to heavily reduced ferrry crossings.

Public Transport on the Island

Bus Services

Buses depart from the main bus stations on Ryde Esplanade and in Newport to all parts of the Island.

For bus timetables/details: Southern Vectis

Ryde Esplanade’s bus station is just a short walk from Pride!

Train Services

Trains run from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin via Ryde Esplanade, Smallbrook (for the IW Steam Railway), Brading, Sandown and Lake.

For train timetables/details: Island Line

Ryde Esplanade’s train station is just a short walk from Pride!

Visit Isle of Wight is the Island’s official tourism website (and one of our supporters!). Their website has information on everything you need or want to know about the Island and is updated daily!