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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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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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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

easy to use n and we arrived earlier…

easy to use and we arrived earlier than expected to return home , the staff put us on the next ferry saving us having to wait 2 more hours for the ferry we were booked on.

18 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you were able to travel earlier than planned.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fast

Fast, efficient service. On our outbound crossing we arrived at Southampton earlier and got put on an earlier crossing, no fuss, so our holiday started sooner!

13 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you were able to travel earlier than planned.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very good service

Very good service. Right on time.

14 June 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

Found no problem

Found no problem, all seemed friendly, nice place for dogs to go

8 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we hope you and your dogs enjoyed travelling with us.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Experience

We received an excellent service on both crossings when we travelled with Red Funnel. Returning home we were caught up in the IOW Festival exit from the island. Despite this the ferry was on time and provided an efficient service. All the facilities were excellent.

22 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We are glad to hear that despite the busy festival period, that you were able to travel on time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had to change my booking due to medical…

Had to change my booking due to medical emergency and call centre lady very helpful

12 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 you were able to change your booking easily.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Agent professional but cramped & expensive journey

The agent on phone was excellent professional & patient.
The experience on the boat was disappointing there was school trip returning to mainland. Red funnel had cordon off third off the lounge so the whole back of the boat just for children which then made rest of the boat very cramped. Also how can red funnel charge £12.00 for a bowl of chips & latte

3 July 2026
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Works like clock work and great team work

The services re information re lines to get into on arrival worked great quick and easy . Was bit of a worry as turning into Red Funnel off the main road was slow then I could see why as two point to check in open only yes once to front I could see why as new update where bring done to deck .
How ever was extra worried I was going to miss my ferry .
The service and departure was fab kn time helpful staff a real pleasure both way .
Thank you

22 June 2026
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

WARNING: cancellation fees

WARNING: Having booked ferry tickets this week, I had to cancel, with a cancellation fee of £10. Seemed reasonable so I cancelled.
I then received an email update to say Red Funnel Ferries were charging me £125.00, to cancel, £115.00 above the £10. No explanation, but a threat, saying if I did not agree now, they would charge me more.

7 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Grate staff

Getting event tickets printed at kiosk very helpful
Happy staff even at 6am
Clean on time ferry helpful information
And staff
Boarding easy

7 July 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The staff are quick to assist you.

The staff are quick to assist you when in need of help. The cleaning lady was very polite and had taken over to clean the spilt coffee on the floor. The experience was very good and i wouldn't hesitate to book with Red Funnel again.

13 June 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service both over phone and…

Excellent service both over phone and on board ferry. Food and drinks average prices but very good quality. Facilities excellent, far cry from my last experience back in 1985! Only one thing, range of gifts was a bit lacking, especially for under 8’s. I was looking for a bath or pond plastic ferry boat for grandchildren to play with 🥺Otherwise brilliant.

12 June 2026

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