Possible to walk from Celebrity ship to the Red Funnel

[TenneSea]

After disembarking our Celebrity ship, we plan to take the ferry to the Isle of Wight.  Can we just walk to the ferry pier from the ship?

[John Bull]

Just now, TenneSea said:

After disembarking our Celebrity ship, we plan to take the ferry to the Isle of Wight.  Can we just walk to the ferry pier from the ship?

 

 Yes, very easy. 10 minutes from City Cruise Terminal (berth 101) to Town Quay on level ground, not even a road to cross.

https://goo.gl/maps/oFYWWYW1qszLJLPF8

 

There are two Red Funnel services-  the catamaran "Red Jet" fast-ferry to the quaint yachties village  of (west) Cowes, and the slower (about an hour) car ferry to East Cowes. It's the same ticket office for both.

Easier for Osborne House is East Cowes - from the car-ferry terminal a two minute walk to the bus stop outside Waitrose grocery store then any local bus (route 4 or 5, roughly three buses per hour) and ask the driver to put you off at Osborne House gates. 5 to 10 minutes on the bus. Or from the Red Jet terminal in (west) Cowes it's a ten-minute walk to the chain ferry then a three minute walk to the bus stop when you get off the chain ferry. https://goo.gl/maps/mKZYnZsWVrTNQ85s5

 

JB 

 

[TenneSea]

Thank you.  It looked simple on the map but reality is often different!

 

Yes, we're headed to Osborne House.  

[John Bull]

Can I suggest you pre-purchase your Osborne House tickets with your return car-ferry tickets to East Cowes - that gives you a discount on the Osborne House tickets and I think even foot-passengers get a discount on the ferry fare too.

(BTW, on the booking form, click on the arrow at the "car/MPV/4x4 box" to switch to "foot passenger")

https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/en/isle-of-wight-guide/places-to-visit/osborne/?fromdate=1/1/0001&12:00:00&AM&todate=1/1/0001&12:00:00&AM

 

If you wanted to head back on the fast-ferry your car-ferry tickets are valid but there's a small upgrade charge. 

Total travel time from East Cowes bus stop to Southampton Town Quay is about the same (around an hour) for the car ferry or for the chain-ferry + walk + fast-ferry.

 

At Osborne House do take the time to visit the Swiss Cottage, built for Victoria & Albert's large brood. It's a 15 minute walk or a free shuttle-van from the House.

Another free shuttle-van down to the beach & bathing machine - but if it's late in the pm  do check with the driver whether there's a long line for the shuttle-van back to the House.

 

JB 

[TenneSea]

Thanks for all of the info.  We'll be visiting the UK in June 2020 and cruising (Celebrity Silhouette) Norway before spending a week in England.  Can't wait !

[TenneSea]

JB - Found a great air fare into Gatwick.  Your opinion, please, on the 2 major London airports (LHR & LGW) if there is one you would try to avoid !  Thanks.

[John Bull]

3 hours ago, TenneSea said:

JB - Found a great air fare into Gatwick.  Your opinion, please, on the 2 major London airports (LHR & LGW) if there is one you would try to avoid !  Thanks.

 

Either airport is fine. 

All big airports are zoos. Gatwick is a little smaller and less zoo-like than LHR.

 

Gatwick is about 20 miles further from Southampton, so a little (£20 / £25?) more expensive by private transfer.

By National Express bus it's a direct service from both airports but about 30 minutes further from LGW, so the fare mebbe £10 (? ) more.

There's a direct (not direct on sundays) hourly train service from Gatwick to Southampton, but by train from LHR is slow, complicated & expensive.

Most cruise lines offer (over-priced) bus transfers to / from both airports on sailing / disembarkation days.

There are minor pros & cons for each airport if your destination is central London.

 

My advice, and the advice of other CC members, is to ignore the minor differences between LHR & LGW, & to decide by the airfares, your most convenient home airport, flight times, and any airline preferences.

 

Sounds like you'll be heading for Gatwick. 

 

JB 

Edited July 31, 2019 by John Bull

[MicCanberra]

On 7/30/2019 at 11:27 AM, TenneSea said:

After disembarking our Celebrity ship, we plan to take the ferry to the Isle of Wight.  Can we just walk to the ferry pier from the ship?

Hopefully you can handle your luggage easily enough.