Diversions to Portsmouth International Port

The Great South Run is taking place in Portsmouth on Sunday 18 October, bringing road closures that will affect journeys to our Portsmouth port. As access will already be disrupted, we’re using the weekend of Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October to carry out essential port and linkspan maintenance.

As a result, all vehicle bookings from our Portsmouth car ferry port in Gunwharf Road will depart from Portsmouth International Port PO2 8SP and all sailings from our Fishbourne car ferry port will arrive at Portsmouth International Port (PO2 8SP) on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.

Boarding and disembarking the ferry will be slightly different at the International Port and crossing times will be longer, so make sure to check before you book. Foot passengers will not be able to travel on these sailings.

Visit ~^(.+\.)+xyz$/updates for our temporary timetable.

Find out more information about travelling on these sailings below.

Key takeaways

Foot passengers, including cyclists, will not be able to use this route. We recommend foot passengers take our Portsmouth Harbour - Ryde Pier Head FastCat route instead and cyclists opt for the Hovercraft, who will accept Wightlink tickets.
Bookings will need to be made in advance. If you arrive at the International Port without a booking, we will not be able to accept you on board.
Journey times will be longer - around 60 minutes.
Please check in between 60 minutes and 30 minutes before your scheduled sailing.
Drivers of commercial vehicles will need to show photographic ID.
Vehicles may be subject to random security checks.

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 phone or sat nav.

Explore Portsmouth International Port

Important information

Boarding and disembarking

Boarding and disembarking the ferry at Portsmouth International Port will be slightly different than at our Portsmouth Gunwharf port. When entering the port, your vehicle may be subject to a security check.

There is no upper boarding ramp at PIP, so you will enter the ferry on the lower deck and your vehicle will remain there for the crossing.

Please arrive and check in between 60 minutes and 30 minutes before your scheduled sailing. Priority Boarding will not be available.

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, which has a shorter crossing time of 22 minutes.

If you are travelling with a bicycle, please use Hovertravel – they are currently accepting Wightlink tickets.

See the full Portsmouth – Ryde timetable on our Timetables page.

See the latest timetable information

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

Tickets and timetable changes

A temporary timetable will be in place from as journeys across the Solent will be slightly longer than usual, taking around 60 minutes.

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 60 minutes 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