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Red Funnel Ferries Reviews 

1,182
•
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.6

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 818 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently mention how easy and straightforward the online booking process is from start to finish, allowing them to easily modify travel times when needed. Travelers also warmly praise the friendly and helpful staff, noting that vehicle loading and general onboarding are handled with great efficiency. However, some people mentioned issues with onboard facilities, explaining that broken lifts created major difficulties for elderly passengers or those with mobility needs trying to reach upper decks. A few reviewers also noted other indoor discomforts, including malfunctioning air conditioning in certain spaces and water leaks during their crossing.

What people talk about most

Service

Users describe positive interactions with service, highlighting fast, efficient vehicle loading and punctual... See more

Staff

Consumers find staff to be polite, helpful, and exceptionally professional, frequently going above and beyond... See more

User experience

People report positive experiences with user experience, highlighting smooth and efficient boarding, friendly... See more

Booking process

Reviewers mention positive feedback about booking process, highlighting that online reservations are... See more

Facilities

Clients share ambiguous opinions on facilities, as some reviewers praised the clean environment, good... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Experience was good, managed to get a seat at the front. Being disabled, it was nice to have extra leg room. Prices are quite high though, I always book my ferry in November on Black Friday, if I can’... See more

Company replied

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


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

4.6

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 85% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

How this company uses Trustpilot

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4.6

All reviews

(1,182)

905 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Smooth transition

Efficient loading and unloading of ferry, friendly staff, almost always on time. Reliable

July 18, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

On time

On time. Smooth embarkation

July 4, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

So good

Good food good staff good sail

June 11, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Allowed on earlier ferry…

We arrived early and we're put on the earlier ferry , staff really friendly, really easy process.

July 2, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you were able to travel earlier and that our staff were friendly!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Friendly and efficient

Staff are always friendly and helpful. It’s a good and reliable service.

June 30, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

All went according to plan

All went according to plan, boarded with no hassle, on time and disembarked having arrived on time. Had tea and some food as planned. Shame about the vaping in the forward saloon.

July 18, 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 as planned. Smoking and vaping is only permitted in a specific section on the outside deck, which is communicated in our on board announcement. Should you spot any smoking or vaping outside of this area, please do not hesitate to raise it with our Onboard Services Officer, who can be found at the top of the yellow stairwell.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

We turned up a bit early on the morning…

We turned up a bit early on the morning of our trip but the lady who checked our booking said we could go earlier if wanted she was very nice and helpful, the crossing was very good as well so was and enjoyable trip not stressful at all

July 2, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback. We are happy to hear that you were able to travel earlier than planned!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Facilities all good .Smooth crossing .

Facilities all good .Smooth crossing .
Just a great trip over to isle of Wight then return to Southampton. Always use Red Funnel

July 6, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Experienced & informative staff

Experienced & informative staff. Efficient loading & unloading of vehicles

July 10, 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

The people make the company…

Good service from the staff from check in to boarding,,
The new red funnel coffee brand is much better than from a few years ago." Wight isle superior coffee"
RED FUNNEL came to my rescue a couple of years ago when I needed to get home urgently, when my daughter had been attacked and hospitalised,, they were absolutely EXCELLENT,,
THANKYOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED ME AND MY WIFE GET HOME.

July 19, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are pleased to hear that colleagues were able to help your and your wife return home for your daughter. We are truly sorry to hear that your daughter had been attacked and hospitalised, and we hope that she is doing well now.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Worth the journey

Very pleasant experience

June 20, 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

Ferry was on time

Ferry was on time, loading was easy and quick. There was a good choice of hot and cold food, as well as a variety of drinks. Comfortable searing, friendly staff.

June 29, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

No hassle check-in both sides

No hassle check-in both sides, sailings on time. Very slick and professional crew.

June 27, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased to hear that travel with us was hassle-free and that you found our colleagues to be professional.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

very helpful

Moved us to an earlier sailing and sorted lifts and extra door space.

July 18, 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 2 out of 5 stars

I would hsve given a five but my 80…

I would hsve given a five but my 80 year old mothet who had a hip replacement 3 weeks before we travelled had to struggle to get to the lounge both ways due to a lift not working so i be not use Red funnel next timr

June 29, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. We are sorry to hear that your mother struggled while travelling with us. While our lift works from our vehicle deck to our main passenger lounge, the lift is currently unable to operate between the main lounge, and a deck, where the pet friendly north lounge and Signature Lounge are located. We are currently waiting on replacement parts to resole this issue and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything works well

We find everything about Red Funnel works well and is a smooth and easy process.
From the booking - even if changes have to be made as has happened to us, they worked with us to arrange new dates.
The loading and unloading is smooth and the staff are friendly and helpful.
For the last couple of times we have treated ourselves to The Signature Lounge. A more relaxed area with free drinks and some free items of food with a lovely lady serving us.
To us our holiday starts when we board the ferry. Yes it can be expensive but there are offers out there.

June 23, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that you found our booking process smooth and the Signature Lounge a relaxing experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Arrived early for sailing and was put…

Arrived early for sailing and was put on the ferry which was ready to depart,which saved us 1 hours wait.
Ferry,comfortable and clean and sailed on time.

June 23, 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that you were able to travel earlier.

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