Hovertravel – Hovercraft to the Isle of Wight

Hovertravel offers the fastest way to cross the Solent between Southsea, Portsmouth and Ryde, Isle of Wight. Hovertravel operate two hovercrafts with a frequent service and the journey time is just under 10 minutes.  

These modern day vehicles are a tourist attraction in their own right, this is all thanks to the amazing fact that this service operates in and out of the water, allowing you to board the craft on land.

Traveller Guidelines

In order to ensure your journey with us is comfortable, please be aware of the following guidelines:

• Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure
• Each passenger is allowed one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person (30 kilos max)
• Pushchairs must be folded
• Bikes allowed are 2 per craft and must be booked in advance
• The crafts are wheelchair accessible
• Dogs are allowed but must travel on the floor or in pet carriers (not on the seat)
• Mobility scooters are not allowed
• Smoking and alcohol are not permitted

When you book, you will be emailed an e-voucher. You must print this out and bring it with you to the departure point on your chosen date of travel.

Operating times:

Please note, the service operates every 15-30 minutes on the following operating days.

Summer period: (1 April – 31 October)

• Monday - Wednesday: 6.15am - 9pm
• Thursday - Friday: 6.30am - 10pm 
• Saturday: 7.45am - 10pm
• Sunday: 8.45am - 9pm
• Bank Holiday: 8.45am - 9pm 

Winter period: (1 November – 31 March)

• Monday - Friday: 6.30am - 9pm
• Saturday: 8am – 9pm
• Sunday: 9am - 9pm
• Bank Holiday: 9am -  9pm 
• No service on 25-26 December.

How to get there:

Departure point (Portsmouth): Hovertravel, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea PO5 3AD

Arrival point (Isle of Wight): Hovertravel, Quay Road, Ryde, PO33 2HB 

Directions to Portsmouth departure point:

By Road

Head to Portsmouth and onto the M27. Join the M275 and continue past the continental ferry port towards Portsmouth. Follow the signs for Isle of Wight ferries, Seafront and Historic Waterfront. From here on, follow the signs for the hovercraft.

Please note, there are parking facilities at the Portsmouth departure point.

By Rail

Alight at Portsmouth & Southsea Railway Station and follow the signs to the Hoverbus, bus stop C. You will cross the road by the zebra crossing leading you to the Hoverbus stop. The specially operated Hoverbus Service will take you directly to our Southsea Terminal. The Hoverbus connects with our hovercraft and will make sure you are at the Hovercraft Terminal in time for your craft. It couldn’t be easier!

By Lakeside Bus

A shuttle bus operates in Portsmouth between Lakeside, North Harbour to the Portsmouth departure point on Monday to Friday and is a popular service with commuters. There are two morning services and 2 afternoon services.

Age restrictions:

• Children must be 13 years+ to travel unaccompanied
• Children must be aged  5 years – 15 years to qualify for a Child Ticket
• Children under 5 years old are classed as infants and ride free but require a boarding pass when travelling.
• If you are travelling with an infant you must select the Infant ticket option under Prices. When redeeming your e-voucher at the departure point you will be given a boarding pass for your infant 

Accessibility:

• Mobility scooters are not permitted
• The Hovercraft is wheelchair accessible
• Pushchairs are permitted but they must be foldable

Additional information:

• Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your departure
• Smoking and alcohol are not permitted on the Hovercraft under any circumstances
• Each passenger is allowed one suitcase & one carry-on bag, with a weight allowance of maximum 30 kilos
• Dogs are allowed on the Hovercraft and travel free but must travel on the floor of the craft or in a pet carrier. Dogs are not permitted on the seats of the Hovercraft at any time
• Bicycles are allowed on the Hovercraft with a maximum of 2 bicycles per hovercraft. If you are planning on bringing a bicycle onto the Hovercraft you must book a space for your bicycle in advance. 

This is a return service. Your return ticket can be used on the same day or within the lifetime of your e-voucher.

All tickets sold are subject to availability. On your day of travel, you may be required to wait until the next available flight. Full travel protocols can be found here: https://www.hovertravel.co.uk/more-info/covid-19-information/

Passengers:

• You are required by law to wear a face covering at all times with Hovertravel
• We will refuse travel if a passenger does not have a face covering
• Please avoid our peak passenger times; 0615-0815 and 1630-1830 (Mon-Fri)
• Give other passengers their space during boarding/disembarking
• Please occupy seats starting from the back of the craft first when boarding
• Stay seated after landing until the bow doors open
• Wash your hands before and after travelling (both terminals have toilets)

Hovertravel:

• Has asked all staff to wear face coverings when required
• Has deployed social distancing measures in the terminals and during boarding/disembarking
• May ask you to wait outside the terminal
• Is allowing passengers to transfer, as priority, to the next service
• Will invite those from the same household to sit together
• Is cleaning the craft after every service
• Is regularly cleaning the touch points in both terminals
• Is adding in extra services as required