Photo: Ben Elliott / UnsplashRed Funnel
From the operator
Onboard Wi-Fi and beverage service on the Southampton-West Cowes route.
Book with Red Funnel
Book direct with Red Funnel. No fees from Ferryu.
- Crossing time
- About 30 minutes
- Operator
- 1
- Sailings
- Every 80 minutes
Checked against redfunnel.co.uk on 9 November 2026
The Southampton to Cowes ferry takes about 30 minutes with Red Funnel.
Are you planning a trip from Southampton to Cowes? This route is sailed by Red Funnel, and it is a simple option if you are travelling on foot.
Red Funnel runs daily departures every 80 minutes, so you have plenty of choice when you plan your day. You can compare the route on Ferryu and then book directly with Red Funnel.
- Daily departures every 80 minutes
- Operates year-round, excluding 25 December
- The crossing covers 11.7 miles
- For pedestrians and personal luggage only
- Onboard Wi-Fi and beverage service on the Southampton to West Cowes route
At a glance
- Crossing
- About 30 minutes
- Southampton to Cowes
- Sailings
- Every 80 minutes
- Red Funnel
- Arrives
- Cowes
- Isle of Wight
Who sails this route
Photo: Ben Elliott / UnsplashSailing with Red Funnel
Red Funnel has daily departures every 80 minutes on this route, and the service operates year-round, excluding 25 December. Timetables can change, so be sure to check your sailing in good time before you set off.
This service is for pedestrians and personal luggage only, so plan to travel as a foot passenger and pack accordingly.
On the Southampton to West Cowes route, you can make use of onboard Wi-Fi and a beverage service during your crossing. Compare your options on Ferryu, then book your ticket with Red Funnel.
When you arrive in Cowes
Crews getting ready on the pontoons at Cowes RegattaPhoto: BEN ELLIOTT / Unsplash 
An RNLI crew alongside a yacht in the Solent during Cowes RegattaPhoto: BEN ELLIOTT / Unsplash
Weather in Cowes
- Warmest month: July, average high 21°C.
- Wettest month: November, about 79 mm of rain.
- Sea at its warmest in September, about 18°C.
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Show the numbers
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4 | 4.5 | 67.2 | 9.0 |
| February | 8.4 | 4.2 | 51.0 | 8.6 |
| March | 10.3 | 5.3 | 45.3 | 8.7 |
| April | 12.9 | 6.8 | 49.0 | 10.5 |
| May | 16.1 | 9.6 | 50.0 | 13.2 |
| June | 18.9 | 12.3 | 46.8 | 15.8 |
| July | 21.0 | 14.4 | 47.9 | 16.3 |
| August | 20.8 | 14.6 | 58.1 | 17.6 |
| September | 18.6 | 12.6 | 52.2 | 18.2 |
| October | 15.0 | 10.2 | 76.2 | 16.5 |
| November | 11.5 | 7.2 | 79.1 | 13.5 |
| December | 9.1 | 5.1 | 73.7 | 10.7 |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (4 km away). Sea surface: 2023–2024 averages from the Open-Meteo Marine Weather API, which has no sea temperatures before late 2022.
Questions answered
How long is the ferry from Southampton to Cowes?
About 30 minutes, depending on the sailing.
Crossing time is 30 minutes (11.7 miles). (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
Cross the Solent in under 30 minutes. (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
How often does it sail?
Every 80 minutes.
Daily departures every 80 minutes. (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
Operates year-round, excluding 25 December. (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
What's on board?
Onboard Wi-Fi and beverage service on the Southampton-West Cowes route. (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
Compare routes to the Isle of Wight
Who sails each route and how long the crossing takes.
| Route | Operator | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton to Cowes This route | Red Funnel | About 30 minutes |
| Lymington to Yarmouth | Wightlink | About 40 minutes |
| Portsmouth to Fishbourne | Wightlink | About 45 minutes |
| Portsmouth to Ryde | Wightlink | About 22 minutes |
| Southampton to East Cowes | Red Funnel | About 60 minutes |
| Southsea to Ryde Hovercraft | Hovertravel | – |
More ferries to the Isle of Wight
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All ferries to the Isle of Wight · More from Southampton ferry port
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