Getting around the Isle of Wight

Nearly 500 miles of roads and more than 500 miles of footpaths and bridleways give easy access to most of the Isle of Wight. Explore by bus, train, car, bicycle, on foot or horseback. Visit any of the seven tourist information centres on the Island for further information, including bus timetables.

Motoring

It's easy to take a car to the Island, which has nearly 500 miles of good quality roads and direction signs, although motorists may wish to look at the off peak pricing arrangements available from the ferry operators for crossing the Solent. As a matter of fact, mile for mile, it is the most expensive car ferry crossing in the world.

Once on the Isle of Wight, the motorist will find that away from the prime tourist spots and town centres, the Island is relatively free of congestion. Newport, Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin can at times be very busy, but, generally, the Island is well served with traffic schemes and car parks. Motorists may want to note that petrol is usually one or two pence per litre more expensive on the Isle of Wight, compared to the mainland prices. The many narrow and winding country roads on the Island will inhibit speed and the only dual carriage way is a one and a half mile stretch near Newport.

You can save time and money when using the council’s pay and display car parking facilities by purchasing a Tourist Ticket. These tickets are available for 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 days and can be purchased from all Isle of Wight tourist information centres. Whilst visiting a centre you will also be able to choose from a wide range of maps showing the Island’s roads and attractions.

Car hire is available on the Isle of Wight from:

Solent self drive, Ryde - 01983 282050
Esplanade Car Hire, Ryde - 01983 562322
South Wight Rentals, Shanklin - 01983 864263
Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd, Cowes - 01983 299056
First Call Car, Van & Cycle Hire, Sandown - 01983 400055
Hillstone Self Drive, Shanklin - 01983 864263
U Drive Car & Jeep Hire, Sandown - 0800 0926545.

Taxi services on the Isle of Wight:

3C's Private Gire, Newport - 01983 825029
A Cabs, Shanklin - 01983 866772
Amber Cars, Ryde - 01983 812222
Bembridge & Harbour Taxis, Bembridge - 01983 874132
Charlie's Taxis, Ventnor - 01983 853697
Meteor Taxis, Sandown - 01983 404242
Mick's Taxis, Freshwater - 01983 752936.

Travelling by bus

Open top bus, Alum Bay © IW Tourism

Southern Vectis is the only company that runs an extensive network of public bus services on the Isle of Wight. The company produces a comprehensive bus timetable twice a year for a minimal cost. Summer and winter timetables are available from Isle of Wight Tourism.

A variety of rover tickets are offered for individuals and families, valid for one, two, seven or twenty eight days unlimited travel on Southern Vectis buses. Rover tickets also include travel on the Island Line trains, but is not valid on nightclubber services. The ticket also allows discounts on certain admission prices.

The main tourist bus service is the 7 or 7A which, during the season, provides an hourly bus around the Island in both directions, allowing visitors to leave and join the bus as many times as they like. Various other coach companies offer excursions around the Isle of Wight and the local press should be checked for details. For further information, call 01983 872005 or visit www.Islandbuses.info.

Travelling by train

The Island Line runs from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin. It has intermediate stations at Ryde Esplanade, St Johns, Smallbrook Junction, Brading, Sandown and Lake. There are normally two trains an hour, with Rover and discount tickets available. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway connects with Island Line at Smallbrook Station and on to Havenstreet and Wootton. See www.Island-line.co.uk for further information.

Cycling on the Isle of Wight

Cycling on the Island is strongly supported by the Isle of Wight Council. The cyclist has a vast network of country roads, bridle paths and rugged terrain to enjoy. Old railway lines and cycle paths allow easy access to traffic free areas and details of routes can be obtained from tourist information centres.

Bicycle hire is available on the Isle of Wight from:

GP rentals, Bembridge - 0800 9173494
Wight Cycle Hire, Yarmouth and Brading - 01983 761800
Isle of Bikes, Brading - 01983 406306
Founation Cycle Hire, Cowes - 01983 200300
Top Gear Vehicle Rentals Ltd, Cowes - 01983 299056
Bikemech, Freshwater - 01983 756787
High Adventure, Freshwater Bay - 01983 752322
TAV Cycles, Ryde - 01983 812989
The Bike Shed, Newport - 01983 868786
Wight Mountain, Newport - 01983 533445
Battersby Cycles, Ryde - 01983 562039
Island Cycle Hire, Sandown - 07712 363134
First Call Car, Sandown - 01983 400055
Isle Cycle Hire, Yarmouth - 01983 760738.

Walking on the isle of wight

The Island has 500 miles of footpaths in an area of only 187 square miles. The coastal path can be walked in four days at a reasonable pace and is a series of constantly changing and contrasting views. Inland, there are walks over downland, through unspoilt country villages and through woods and fields, which include some well signposted and maintained longer distance trails - see the walking page of the activities section to find out more.