If you’re heading from London Victoria to Ryde, you’re in for a journey that’s surprisingly scenic, relatively easy, and—if you know what you’re doing—not too expensive. The Isle of Wight might seem like a bit of a trek from London, but with the right route, you can get there in under 3 hours, with a mix of train travel and a relaxing boat ride across the Solent.
I booked my ticket through TrainPal, which cost me £27 ($35). The app finds split ticketing deals, meaning you buy multiple tickets for different legs of the journey instead of one overpriced direct fare. In theory, train companies should just give you the best price automatically, but they don’t—so apps like TrainPal are a game-changer.
Here’s the full breakdown of the trip:
Step 1: Train from London Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour
The first leg of the journey is the train from London Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour, which takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Trains run frequently, usually every 30 minutes to an hour, but it’s always worth checking the schedule in advance.
The train itself is pretty standard—no frills, but comfortable enough. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a seat with a table, but don’t count on it during peak hours. There’s no WiFi, but you’ll get some nice countryside views as you pass through Surrey and Hampshire before arriving at Portsmouth Harbour.
What makes Portsmouth Harbour Station ideal is that it’s directly connected to the ferry terminal, so there’s no messing around with extra buses or long walks. You step off the train, and the ferry terminal is literally right there.
Click to read about English Street Food.
Step 2: The Ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde
Once you arrive at Portsmouth Harbour, the next step is hopping on the Wightlink ferry to Ryde. This is the part of the journey that actually makes the trip worth doing—because, unlike most train journeys in the UK, this one comes with an actual view.
The ferry takes just 22 minutes, and it’s a great little ride across the Solent. You get amazing views of Portsmouth’s historic dockyard, including the famous Spinnaker Tower and some old warships, before heading out into open water towards the Isle of Wight. If the weather is good, get yourself on deck—it’s a proper seaside experience, and you’ll see yachts, ferries, and even the odd cruise ship passing by.
Inside, the ferry is modern and comfortable, and they’re quick to point out the bar. Now, I’m always up for a drink while traveling, but at £8 ($10) for a mixed drink, I decided to give it a miss. You can also grab a coffee or a snack if you fancy something before you arrive.
The ferry ride is quick, smooth, and genuinely enjoyable, which is more than I can say for most transport in the UK. Before you know it, you’ll be pulling into Ryde Pier, and your journey is almost over.
Arriving in Ryde – Welcome to the Isle of Wight
Once the ferry docks, you step straight onto Ryde Pier, which is one of the longest piers in the UK. If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk down it—it takes about 10 minutes—or you can hop on the little train that runs along the pier into Ryde town itself.
From here, you’re officially on the Isle of Wight. Ryde is the biggest town on the island, and while it’s not exactly a buzzing metropolis, it’s got a nice mix of seaside charm, old-school British shops, and easy transport connections to the rest of the island.
