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Red Funnel Ferries Reviews 

1,341
•
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.6

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 929 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently appreciate the smooth online booking process and find the staff exceptionally friendly, polite, and helpful during vehicle loading, boarding, and sailings. Travelers note that ferries generally run strictly on time and provide a remarkably comfortable, clean environment for the entire maritime crossing. However, some customers also noted frustrating issues with broken lifts and difficulties accessing certain essential onboard facilities. Reviewers mentioned that disabled passengers sometimes face long waits or are forced to climb multiple flights of steep stairs when elevators are unexpectedly out of service during their trips.

What people talk about most

Service

Customers consistently note positive experiences with service, highlighting efficient vehicle loading, timely... See more

Staff

Reviewers mention positive feedback about staff, frequently highlighting how helpful, polite, and... See more

User experience

People report positive experiences regarding user experience, highlighting seamless embarkation, efficient... See more

Booking process

Consumers find booking process to be positive, frequently highlighting the simple and straightforward online... See more

Facilities

Clients share ambiguous opinions on facilities, with many reviewers praising the clean environment, good... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Red funnel ferries are always very good The staff are professional and friendly. The only issue we had on our outbound sailing the lift wasn’t working which meant our disabled mother had to climb 3... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The staff in Southampton worked hard and managed to cram everyone onto the earlier ferry so we were celebrating an extra hour on the Island! My one concern is the lift. Disabled passengers often hav... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The ferry was on time-both ways. You have real people available to deal with issues - thank you. Plus food!! Appreciate in particular that you ask parents not to allow children to run around. May... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

All very straight forward from the booking to the final disembark. Arrived at port and checked in instantly with registration recognition. Arrived slightly early so was put on the early transfer, whic... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Ferry service
  2. also in
  3. Holiday accommodation service

Written by the company

We are proud to be the original Isle of Wight Ferry, with over 164 years of experience sailing between Southampton and the Isle of Wight. We aim to deliver a First-Class customer experience from start to finish and operate more than 35 crossings a day. Use our easy online booking service to secure your Vehicle Ferry spot and step aboard to enjoy a range of facilities during your crossing. Customers can enjoy our premium Signature Lounge, pet-friendly lounge, licensed bar, café and retail shop plus outdoor sun decks before arriving at your destination in just 1-hour. Foot passengers can turn up and go via our Hi-Speed Red Jet service, arriving in just 30 minutes.

Discover the Isle of Wight with Red Funnel Ferries

Written by the company

Just 1-Hour from Southampton
Discover the wonderfully different Isle of Wight with Red Funnel Ferries. Set sail for sandy beaches, dramatic coastlines, rolling countryside, dazzling dark skies and charming villages; the Isle of Wight packs a lot of adventure and natural beauty into its modest size. Within an hour’s drive time, you can bask on 25 different beaches, visit more than 50 attractions, and experience the UK’s favourite Island holiday destination from end to end. Not only are we the original Isle of Wight Ferry, transporting visitors between Southampton and the Isle of Wight for over 164 years, but we also offer a fantastic selection of places to stay and visit, all bookable online via our website. Book your hotel, holiday park, cottage and your attraction tickets with us, and save on your ferry travel.

Contact info

4.6

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

1k reviews

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Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 80% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

How this company uses Trustpilot

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4.6

All reviews

(1,341)

1,059 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very friendly welcoming members of…

Very friendly welcoming members of staff when boarding. We needed to be placed closer to easy accessibility due to disability this was no problem at all and really helped the trip run smoothly and confortable. Nice to have the option to grab food and drinks as we travelled a long journey down to the ferry. I haven’t used Red Funnel before but would definitely recommend as we had a enjoyable experience.

14 September 2026
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

The simple things done wrong

Apart from the perennial gripe about the cost of travel it’s often the little things that annoy. The early evening Red Jet that leaves about 2 minutes before people on the London train service can get to the terminal. Today it’s the 4.30 car ferry from East Cowes, apparently all coffee machines are broken (3 separate machines), how does that happen?

8 October 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

We were new to Red Funnel ferries

We were new to Red Funnel ferries. We had no problems, the crossing was good. There was hot food but it could have been hotter. Saying that there was a lot of food on offer. Staff were help, friendly & polite.

8 September 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Overall a very good experience

The on line bookong process was very simple. Travelling from quite a distance for out outward journey we arroved early at the Southampton termimal nut the bery helpful member of the check in staff accommodated us on the next available ferry. The same thing happened on our return journey, very helpful and most grateful. Ferries, including the toilets spotlessly clean.
We did think the on board catering prices on the high side, nearly £6 for coffee from a self service machine and a bottle of water!

19 September 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional service

Having booked a specific time for the ferry we asked to have it changed. Phoned to rearrange and was accommodated with no bother at all. Ferry was on time, clean and plenty of seats. Would definitely use Red Funnel Ferries again.

16 September 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Price

Price, although the ticket was discounted through the accommodation; it was still more competitive than Wightlink.
Food choice. Despite a longer crossing the food offered has a wider choice.

18 September 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Smooth operation from start to finish.

Its a slick, smooth operation from start to finish every time, like a well oiled machine. I'm always amazed how quickly the on and off process is. Its always really clean with excellent services and facilities.

29 September 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lovely trip

Lovely trip. First for 40 years. Efficient and very organised. Nice staff on and off board. Made very easy with my 86 year old mum

7 October 2026

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