Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries Reviews 405

TrustScore 2 out of 5

2.2

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 43 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Many people found the pricing to be excessively high, describing it as an "absolute rip off" and noting that it was often more expensive than international travel for a much shorter distance. Customers also frequently encountered issues with the service, including delays, cancellations, and difficulty booking online or reaching customer support. Some people were dissatisfied with the staff, mentioning instances of rude or unhelpful behavior, particularly regarding car marshals and cafe employees. However, some customers also noted positive interactions with staff members who were described as kind, polite, and very helpful, even going out of their way to assist with bookings or provide information during delays.

What people talk about most

Staff

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about staff. Many customers praise staff members for being helpful,... See more

Service

Consumers find service to be ambiguous. While some customers report excellent and organized service, with... See more

Price

Users describe negative interactions with price, consistently finding it to be too expensive and an "absolute... See more

Booking process

Customers had ambiguous experiences with the booking process. While some reviewers found it difficult to book... See more

Location

People report ambiguous experiences with location. While some customers had positive experiences, such as... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I think for safety purposes it would be a good idea if Wightlink stopped people blocking walkways and stopped people messing around on the stairs down to the vehicles. So many parents seem to... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

It is incomprehensible that Wightlink does not feel the need to inform passengers who have a booking when services on Fastcat are cancelled. They also do not help people getting to alternative service... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Those of you who have been on the Wightlink will understand the attitude of some of the people directing cars onto the deck, not the majority, just a very small minority need to get some a... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

On the midday ferry to isle of Wight... you cafe lady's need to smile because they make you feel as welcome as a fart in a space suit !!! 😣


Company details

  1. Ferry Service

Information provided by various external sources

We are the main link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. Every year, we carry over 4.6 million passengers, making us one of the UK’s largest domestic ferry operators. We provide Island residents with an easy and frequent service to the mainland, as well as giving millions of holidaymakers a taste of Island life. Crossings take approximately 22 minutes by catamaran and from 40 minutes by car ferry. And we operate three convenient routes and just under 46,000 crossings a year. We are also dedicated to giving excellent customer service and the best facilities on board and at our Terminals. As most people who travel to and from the Island do so with us, we are truly a part of Island life. We are proud to support IOW communities wherever we can, from sports sponsorship to local regeneration projects. And we offer Isle of Wight residents great value Multilink Pass tickets, making travel to the mainland easy and affordable.


Contact info

2.2

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

405 reviews

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Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Overpriced terrible service

Booked a return journey in my car but due to an unexpected breakdown I needed to change the booking to take my van. This amendment was 2 weeks before the sailing and the van is about 20cm longer than the car. The cost for this amendment was an additional £264. This would have made the total cost £377 for a 2 day period return and it was actually cheaper to hire a car and just change the number plate on the booking. The pricing structures are disgusting and Island residents are being held to ransom.
When we arrived at the port on the return leg of our journey boarding did not start until 30 minutes after the boat was due to depart. This wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't have to watch the giant screen telling everyone that the boats were running to schedule.

March 30, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

UNAFFORDABLE, UNRELIABLE, UNACCOUNTABLE

We are local people living on the Isle of Wight. We can no longer afford the car ferry and the same applies to our friends who would like to visit. The answer is not to buy a multi link pass, because on a fixed income, we just can't afford the initial outlay. Plus many sailings have no capacity to use them. The answer is to provide competitive and affordable fares for local people and visitors, a reliable timetable and stop creaming off profits rather than providing a proper service . Oh, and to change the biased feedback loop where we're asked not to comment on the price and timetables!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 6, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Total rip off for locals and visitors

Total rip off for locals and visitors. No discounts in week Website is slow tedious to use, complicated and app simply redirects you to webpage. Staff of course are lovely. Cigars allround for the shareholders!

April 30, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Wightlinks prices are absolutely…

Wightlinks prices are absolutely horrendous. They really do make my life an absolute misery. I travel to the isle of wight evert month to see my little girl and it costs me an absolute fortune on the ferries I basically cannot afford to see my daughter as often as I desperately want to because of the horrific prices wightlink charge and they have the audacity to advertise that they keep loved ones together!!! They literally keep me from seeing her. Absolute scumbags who run this company.

March 25, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I live on the IOW and ferry…

I live on the IOW and ferry cancellations and extortionate prices have forced us to make decision to move off the Island. My husband has to travel to hospital in Portsmouth regularly and the ferry charges are disgusting.

April 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Extortionate prices

Extortionate prices - they really make it so difficult to go anywhere off the Isle of Wight. Something like a trip abroad becomes such a difficult having to factor is ridiculously expensive ferry prices and a frustrating timetable.

They know we have to pay, so they charge us extortionate rates. The Isle of Wight really needs a fixed link to drive this awful company out of business already.

April 8, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

prohibitive prices

prohibitive prices, unreliable service.
Far too expensive to cross a short stretch of water with a small car. We've had holidays on IW for 35 years but can no longer afford it so will now be going elsewhere.
They are also constantly taking ferries off so you can turn up for a ferry and find that it's not running, and there's no guarantee that you'll get on the next one over an hour later.

March 30, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shame as Service is good buy...

Shame as Service is good but...
Prices are astronomical and for IOW residents is a disgrace. These ferry companies are essentially holding Islanders to ransom...staff are cool however prices...sort it out.

April 3, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Wightlink is a disgrace

I was born on the island and all my family live there. We are unable to visit our family regularly because of the astronomical fares that Wightlink now charge. £170 return average is beyond many people’s pockets. Add that to the fact that the ferries are often cancelled, sometimes at the last minute. What used to be an excellent service for islanders, their family and visitors to the island has become a prime example of capitalist greed. This will stop people having holidays on the island which will have a devastating affect on the economy. It’s much cheaper to cross the channel in the summer. Disgraceful company

March 2, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Please could you inform your staff that…

Please could you inform your staff that the Hoverbus does not go to the car ferry. If your Catamaran not running you should arrange for taxis to take passengers from Portsmouth Harbour BR instead of sending on a detour of Southsea. Fortunately I am able to walk and told all the people waiting at bus stop L Hoverbus towards Southsea to walk with me to the car ferry. The Wightlink member of staff just wanted to get rid of us. A lot of the passengers had rail and Wightlink tickets. Not me I go By hover which wasn't running yesterday at all due to bad weather. Your app also said the 115 cat was running which I pointed out to Mr Friendly to change. Since lockdown (when you cancelled all the catamarans) I always go by Hover when available. And I travel twice a week by Hover no Bover.

February 26, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Always have a great crossing with…

Always have a great crossing with Wightlink and they really helped when we needed help with transporting our doggy who need room for his steps to and from the car. Can't fault our last few trips at all.

February 25, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

How you get away with charging what you…

How you get away with charging what you do is shocking. Monopolies commission should be looking at you,how you can charge £170 quid for a return ferry is disgusting. They should allow other operators not just you

January 21, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Rather rude crew member in the pet…

Rather rude crew member in the pet area, asking me to get my pet off the carpeted area. ?? Don’t put carpets in the pet area if you don’t want them used!! I don’t mind rules and regs but there is a polite way to be asked (I am the customer I think) ?

January 12, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Epitome of a monopoly

Epitome of a monopoly. Overpriced, with awful and belligerent customer service. Would say avoid at all costs but it's impossible for some. Time to build a bridge!

December 28, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

blue badge passenger

blue badge passenger. Excellent service on the 11 am ferry on the 23rd of December, Designated line for boarding and parked by the lift. Returned on the 26th even though we had booked for the 27th. changing the booking was very easy and the same Blue Badge service as going out. Thank you Valerie Riley (booking under the name John Riley)

December 23, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If you’re a pet owner don’t be fooled

If you’re a pet owner don’t be fooled. You pay an absolute fortune for a sailing and then there’s only one deck you can use. Then there’s a sign saying don’t use this side of the boat, go next to the kids play area, so I sat there and was told to move again. For the price of a ticket my dog should by all rights been invited to take the Captains chair!!!
Over priced rubbish!

December 7, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wightlink have been great with me!

Never had a problem travelling with Wightlink the staff have always been very supportive and offered solutions to my travel arrangements when I have spoke with them on the phone. The onboard staff are just as friendly and kind and approachable. The newly refurbished ferries are much nicer and it is a very relaxed atmosphere when travelling.

October 6, 2023
Unprompted review

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