Diversions to Portsmouth International Port

Despite the cancellation of the Great South Run event on Sunday, diversions to Portsmouth International Port will remain in place. See more information below.

On Sunday, 20 October, sailings between 10:10 and 12:30 on our Portsmouth – Fishbourne route will use Portsmouth International Port (PIP) rather than our Portsmouth Gunwharf port.

Some sailing times have changed so make sure you check before you book.

This is to accommodate road closures put in place for the Great South Run which takes place in Portsmouth. Find out more information about travelling on this day below.

Key takeaways

Important information

Woman checking in ticket at Wightlink ferry

Foot passengers

You won’t be able to book onto the Portsmouth – Fishbourne route as a foot passenger during this period. We recommend travelling on our Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde Pier Head route instead.

From Portsmouth Gunwharf, the last sailing available to book as a foot passenger in the morning will be the 10:00 and the first one you’ll be able to book in the afternoon is the 14:30.

From Fishbourne, the last sailing available to book as a foot passenger in the morning will be the 08:30 and the first one you’ll be able to book in the afternoon is the 13:00.

See the latest timetable information on our Timetables page.

See the latest timetable information

Boarding and disembarking

Boarding and disembarking the ferry at Portsmouth International Port will be slightly different than at our Portsmouth Gunwharf port. There is no upper boarding ramp at PIP and so you will enter the ferry on the lower deck.

On our Victoria of Wight ferry, you will remain on the lower deck, but on St Clare you may be directed up an on board ramp to reach the upper deck.

Please arrive and check in 60 minutes before your scheduled sailing from Portsmouth International Port.

Priority Boarding will not be available.

Wightlink's Victoria of Wight ferry in the middle of the Solent

Tickets and timetable changes

A temporary timetable will be in place on 20 October as journeys across the Solent will be slightly longer than usual, taking around an hour.

You won’t be able to purchase any tickets at Portsmouth International Port so all bookings will need to made in advance.

You’ll need to arrive for check-in no earlier than one hour before and no less than 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time as vehicle security checks may be required.

See the latest timetable information on our Timetables page.

See the latest timetable information

Where is Portsmouth International Port?

Portsmouth International Port is found on the entrance to the city, right on the M275 motorway that links Portsmouth with the M27. If you’re travelling south into Portsmouth, take junction 2 on the M275, signposted ‘Cruise and Cross Channel Ferries’, and then take the fourth exit on the roundabout.

If you’re travelling north from the city, stay in the left lane of the M275, following the road signs for ‘Cross Channel Ferries’, and then take the first left at the roundabout.

Use the postcode PO2 8SP for your sat nav.