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For a small Island, the Isle of Wight is certainly blessed with travel options, including its own steam railway. New for 2008 are night buses, so you needn’t rush away from your favourite club or venue.
By car
It’s easy to take your vehicle across to the Island and, once there, simple to navigate your way around. The roads are clearly signposted and generally less congested than on the mainland. Follow the coast road for a particularly scenic drive. If you’ve come over on the ferry as a foot passenger, you can hire a car. There are a number of firms conveniently located in Cowes. One of these is Solent Self Drive—vehicles can be collected and returned at Red Funnel’s Red Jet Terminal in West Cowes, making travel connections quick and easy. If you’re coming by hovercraft, Esplanade car hire is two minutes’ walk from the Ryde terminal.
By bus
Southern Vectis runs an extensive network covering most of the Island. Buy Rover or Freedom tickets for unlimited travel. A one-day Adult Rover tickets costs £10 (child £5, family £20) and is also valid on open-top tours. Freedom tickets start at £20 for an adult seven-day pass (child £10). The company also runs Open Top Tours, which give a bird’s eye view of the Island’s hotspots and include commentaries. Choose from the Medina Tour (historical architecture), the Needles Tour, Sandown Bay Tour or the Downs Tour. New all-night buses have recently been introduced, covering the following routes: Cowes-Newport every 30 minutes; Newport-Ventnor-Shanklin-Sandown-Ryde hourly; Newport-Wootton-Ryde hourly. A NightRider ticket gives unlimited travel between 7pm and 7am any day of the week for just £4.
By train
Part of South West Trains, Island Line runs between Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. Standard Day Single and Return fares are available, but if you’re going to be using the train services often Seven Day Season Tickets offer a good deal (photo ID card required). A combined Island Liner ticket gives you unlimited travel on both Island Line and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for
one day.
By steam
Take a trip back in time on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, which travels through 5½ miles of beautiful countryside from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton, pulling a collection of painstakingly restored 19th- and 20th-century carriages. Prices start at £9 for an adult and £4.50 for a child. Special events operate throughout the year, such as a Victorian Weekend, Folk Festival and Wine Tasting.
By boat
Solent & Wightline Cruises operates harbour tours around Cowes and Portsmouth, and to popular sights such as The Needles. Private charters also available.
To experience the bygone era of steam travel, purchase an Isle of Wight Steam Day Rover, which covers the return rail journey to Portsmouth Harbour from stations in London and the South East, the trip by catamaran to Ryde, and a day’s unlimited travel on the Island Line and Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Tickets are available from most staffed railway stations in London and the South East. The Railway also hosts a range of themed events—for full details, visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk. |