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Red Funnel Ferries Reviews 

1,049
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.6

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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 consistently praise the service for its efficiency, noting on-time departures and smooth boarding and disembarkation processes. The staff are frequently highlighted as professional, friendly, and helpful, often going above and beyond to assist with booking errors or changes. People found the online booking process easy and straightforward, appreciating the flexibility to change travel times or board earlier sailings, contributing to a stress-free and pleasant overall user experience from start to finish. However, some customers also noted concerns regarding pricing, describing it as expensive for both the crossing and onboard food items. A few other people also felt that the service could be inconsistent, mentioning occasional delays, issues with staff attitude during disembarkation, or problems with onboard amenities.

What people talk about most

Service

Consumers find service to be positive, with many reviewers highlighting the efficiency and punctuality of the... See more

Staff

Clients share positive opinions on staff, frequently describing them as friendly, helpful, and efficient from... See more

Booking process

Customers consistently note positive experiences with the booking process, finding it easy and... See more

User experience

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of user experience, with many customers describing it as smooth, easy,... See more

Price

People report ambiguous experiences with price, with many reviewers expressing dissatisfaction over what they... 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

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

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

4.6

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

1K reviews

5-star
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1-star

Asks customers to review

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

Replied to 82% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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4.6

All reviews

(1,049)

778 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Yes on time each way BUT

Yes on time each way. BUT the price was far far too high especially for an Island resident. Even with a 15% residents offer it came to £159.38. (I had no big red book valid offers at time of booking)

12 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thanks for your review. We are pleased to hear that your crossing was on time. We frequently run promotions on the special offers page on our website, which we recommend checking before booking. We also send out a Big Book of Savings to Island residents every few months, and offer a fixed Island Resident discount year round for any periods there are no offers available.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very easy check in and loading

Very easy check in and loading; pleasant trip across; although we didn't buy food on board, the prices in the restaurant seemed quite reasonable.

14 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that you had a pleasant trip and check-in was easy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Experience was easy

Experience was easy, very well organised

8 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 3 out of 5 stars

Adequate

Adequate. If you didn’t operate to the IOW you wouldn’t get away with the prices you charge. But the island is beautiful so you continue to rip us off. Hey ho, that’s life I guess.

8 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your pricing. We frequently run promotions on the special offers page of our website, which we highly recommend checking before you book.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

RedFunnel excellence

The loading of vehicles was really well organised, smooth and friendly.

12 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review. I'm pleased to hear that you had a positive experience with us!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy and smooth travel

The experience from booking on line, to boarding and disembarking was so easy and trouble free. The boat was clean, tidy and comfortable with a good range of drinks, snacks, refreshments and hot meals. Dog friendly deck was a big plus. Overall it was a fabulous experience.

12 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. We are delighted to hear that you had a fabulous experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service

Very easy to make changes to my booking online if needed. All staff friendly and very happy from Customer Services calls to port staff. Ferries clean and on time. Very happy.

25 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 found our staff friendly and our vessels clean and punctual. We hope to welcome you back onboard again soon.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

We have used Red Funnel for years but…

We have used Red Funnel for years but this was the first time there was a delay hence three stars. The 2.30 ferry left at 4 o’clock

26 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. I am sorry to hear that you were unable to travel on your booked departure. You may wish to review the service disruption page on our website, which can be found under the help section. Here you will find information on your rights during disruption, and for qualifying delays, information on compensation and how to claim it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Efficient crossing with dogs

I was particularly impressed with the announcement to be aware the outside metal walkway is hot for doggies paws and be mindful of that - great to consider health and safety for dogs too

12 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback. We love dogs, and the last thing we would want for any of our four legged passengers is for them to burn their paws when enjoying the fresh air on our outer deck. We ae pleased to hear these announcements are appreciated!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

More or less sailed on time

More or less sailed on time. Friendly staff. One even gave the dog a treat.

8 June 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

Great sail

Great sail, on time, and great customer service

26 June 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 3 out of 5 stars

All good except the high cost

All good except the high cost. I won't be going to the IoW again because of this.

12 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to hear that you find our pricing to be high, and that you would not travel with us in the future. We frequently run promotions on the special offers page of our website, and recommend checking the page before booking.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Changing ferry times was easy albeit a…

Changing ferry times was easy albeit a £7.00 charge !!!

14 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. When amending your sailing, a fare difference may apply if you are moving to a more expensive sailing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I arrived slightly early as I had to…

I arrived slightly early as I had to negotiate the festival traffic. I was put on the earlier crossing as there was space.
All the passengers were in good spirits so that helped while away the time.
Red funnel was the cheaper crossing.

21 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your review - we are happy to hear that you were able to travel earlier!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

On time outward leg

On time outward leg
Was offered early sailing for home log as there was room

8 June 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 4 out of 5 stars

Good service but expensive.

Good experience whilst travelling both ways on Red Funnel. Would have got 5 stars but for the cost of the crossing which I feel is too high. The staff were all very helpful and the service was excellent.

8 June 2026
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Reply from Red Funnel Ferries

Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to hear that you find our pricing to be high. You may wish to review the special offers page on our website before you next book.

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