Photo: Ben Elliott / UnsplashRed Funnel
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- Crossing time
- About 60 minutes
- Operator
- 1
- Sailings
- Every 60–90 minutes
Checked against redfunnel.co.uk on 9 November 2026
The Southampton to East Cowes ferry takes about 60 minutes with Red Funnel.
Are you planning a trip from Southampton to East Cowes? Red Funnel sails this route, and the crossing time is 60 minutes, covering 11.7 miles.
Red Funnel has daily departures every 60 minutes from March to October, and every 90 minutes from November to February. The service operates 365 days a year.
- Crossing time of 60 minutes
- A distance of 11.7 miles
- Daily departures every 60 minutes from March to October
- Daily departures every 90 minutes from November to February
- Operates 365 days a year
- For all types of vehicles
At a glance
- Crossing
- About 60 minutes
- Southampton to East Cowes
- Sailings
- Every 60–90 minutes
- Red Funnel
- Vehicles
- Cars
- Red Funnel
- Arrives
- East Cowes
- Isle of Wight
Who sails this route
Photo: Ben Elliott / UnsplashSailing with Red Funnel
Red Funnel runs daily departures between Southampton and East Cowes. From March to October you can sail every 60 minutes, and from November to February departures run every 90 minutes. The service operates 365 days a year.
Red Funnel's service is for all types of vehicles. Be sure to check the timetable for your chosen day and arrive at the port in good time.
When you arrive in East Cowes
Yachts in the harbour at Cowes during the regattaPhoto: BEN ELLIOTT / Unsplash 
Sailing boats returning to port at CowesPhoto: BEN ELLIOTT / Unsplash 
A street of painted houses in CowesPhoto: BEN ELLIOTT / Unsplash
Weather in East 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 | 8.3 | 4.4 | 67.2 | 9.0 |
| February | 8.3 | 4.1 | 51.0 | 8.6 |
| March | 10.3 | 5.2 | 45.3 | 8.7 |
| April | 12.9 | 6.7 | 49.0 | 10.5 |
| May | 16.0 | 9.5 | 50.0 | 13.2 |
| June | 18.8 | 12.2 | 46.8 | 15.8 |
| July | 20.9 | 14.3 | 47.9 | 16.3 |
| August | 20.8 | 14.5 | 58.1 | 17.6 |
| September | 18.5 | 12.5 | 52.2 | 18.2 |
| October | 14.9 | 10.1 | 76.2 | 16.5 |
| November | 11.4 | 7.1 | 79.1 | 13.5 |
| December | 9.0 | 5.0 | 73.7 | 10.7 |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (3 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 East Cowes?
About 60 minutes, depending on the sailing.
Crossing time is 60 minutes (11.7 miles). (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
How often does it sail?
Every 60–90 minutes.
Daily departures every 60 minutes March-October and every 90 minutes November-February. (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
Operates 365 days a year. (Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk)
Can I take my car?
Yes.
For all types of vehicles. (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 East Cowes This route | Red Funnel | About 60 minutes |
| Lymington to Yarmouth | Wightlink | About 40 minutes |
| Portsmouth to Fishbourne | Wightlink | About 45 minutes |
| Portsmouth to Ryde | Wightlink | About 22 minutes |
| Southampton to Cowes | Red Funnel | About 30 minutes |
| Southsea to Ryde Hovercraft | Hovertravel | – |
More ferries to the Isle of Wight
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