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Red Funnel Ferries Reviews 

1,050
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.5

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 784 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently mention that the staff are exceptionally helpful, polite, and efficient, ensuring smooth boarding and disembarkation processes. Passengers really appreciate the online booking system, noting that it is straightforward and allows for flexible changes when arriving early. Reviewers also highlight that the ferries generally run on time and provide a comfortable, relaxing journey across the water. However, some people mentioned that the prices for both the crossings and certain onboard items are far too high. A few reviewers felt that the overall ticket costs remain expensive and questionable for regular travelers.

What people talk about most

Service

Reviewers mention positive feedback about service, noting that sailings consistently run on time and boarding... See more

Staff

Consumers find staff to be positive, helpful, and exceptionally professional throughout the journey.... See more

Booking process

People report positive experiences with the booking process, describing the online system as straightforward... See more

User experience

Customers consistently note positive experiences with user experience, highlighting smooth, easy processes... See more

Price

Customers had ambiguous experiences with price, reflecting mixed feelings about overall costs. Many reviewers... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

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

Arrived Southampton earlier than booking & got straight onto ferry & had excellent breakfast. On IOW side rtn again arrived early & got straight onto ferry. Service onboard was good with great selecti... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent journey both ways. Quick and efficient at boarding and disembarkation. Clean and comfortable lounges to use whilst sailing. We only had drinks, so can’t comment on food options. The drinks w... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Although I’m an Island resident and should know better (!) I made a silly error when booking on line which I realised only when attempting to board in East Cowes. My Southampton destination was a cr... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Ferry Service
  2. 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

4.5

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

1K reviews

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1-star

Asks customers to review

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

Replied to 86% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

How this company uses Trustpilot

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4.5

All reviews

(1,050)

779 reviews in the last 12 months

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Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Booking,boarding

Booking,boarding, absolutely spot on.
Services onboard
No milk so could not serve coffee
Lift not working so people struggling to get from one floor to another

7 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to hear that there was no milk available while on board. I shall ensure your feedback is reviewed by the relevant teams.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent experience despite the heat wave.

We travelled with you on the first day of this Summer's heatwave - our car thermometer read 40C! It was hot for us and our dog. Yet the lounge was cool and we were advised not to take the dog on deck - fear of burnt paws.
So service good and everything handled effieciently.

24 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We are pleased to hear that the service you received was good, and we hope your dog enjoyed the cool pet friendly lounge.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Not good customer service

Ferry crossing was running an hour late, which meant everyone had to park up in a location that wasn’t easy to get to in the first place then navigate getting back in a Que to join the later ferry, had disabled crossing booked for passenger side and they gave extra space drivers side, booked to be near a lift that went to pet lounge for a dog got a lift that went to normal deck then walk round to another lift that went up to pet lounge but on both ships (different going out to return) this lift was broken. Which wasn’t communicated to us till walking round and seeing a sign, the lifts only fit a few people and were very busy and not much seating near lift so had to stand which my mum would normally use a wheel chair for if we knew it’d be so long. Both ports were small and confusing and your own staff said to remind staff we had disability needs as he said they don’t always check. What a headache I’ve travelled Wightlink so many times I thought I’d try redfunnel but honestly it’s shocking

3 July 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Flexibility is a great help

We arrived early for the ferry to the island and (as hoped) got on the sailing an hour previous to the one we booked. On the return trip we weren't planning to do the same but were just in time! The staff were friendly, flexible and efficient. A great experience.

4 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your feedback - we are delighted to hear that you were able to travel earlier than planned and that you had a great experience with us!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

great journey

great journey, turned up early and let on straight away, had lounge access, a lovely peaceful experience.

26 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Five star

Excellent first experience using red funnel to get across to the island

3 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your feedback - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

All very straight forward

All very straight forward. Liked the flexibility of getting an earlier ferry. Good customer service when I made a slight booking error. Seamless embarkation and disembarkation.

2 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. We are pleased to hear that you were able to travel earlier than planned.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Red Funnel staff are very helpful

Red Funnel staff are always very helpful. As i have a disability they always go the extra mile to help

10 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your feedback - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Always use red funnel

Always use red funnel. High quality maintained

3 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Always helpful and efficient

Always helpful and efficient. Always enjoy travelling with red funnel.

4 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Southampton to IOW arrived early

Arrived Southampton earlier than booking & got straight onto ferry & had excellent breakfast. On IOW side rtn again arrived early & got straight onto ferry. Service onboard was good with great selection of drinks & food. Highly recommended.

29 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. We are flighted to hear that you were able to travel earlier and that you enjoyed your breakfast! We hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Being on time & helpful staff

Being on time & helpful staff. Disappointed with a charge if you wanted to change your slot.

29 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that your crossing was on time and our staff were helpful. If you are changing to a busier crossing, there may be a fare difference between the two crossings. If you would like to have the freedom to move to an alternative departure the same day without paying amendment fees, you may wish to consider a flexi ticket.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quick and easy check in

Quick and easy check in. Comfortable ship. Service ran on time

5 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great for people travelling with dogs

Great for people travelling with dogs, staff even gave my dogs a bowl of water

10 July 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that you and your pooches enjoyed travelling with us, and we hope to see you on board again soon.

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