24+ Ways to Save Money on Your Isle of Wight Trip

The Isle of Wight can definitely get pricey, especially in summer, but there are loads of ways to keep costs down if you know the right tricks. Here’s how to do the Isle of Wight as cheaply as possible.

I’ve been to the Isle of Wight more times than I can count, and have another two trips planned this summer. I’ve picked up plenty of ways to save money without missing out on the fun so here they are all laid out to help you save money on your trip this year.

These are the genuine Isle of Wight money-saving tips I’d tell a friend before they went.

Save money on the Wightlink ferry

Getting to the Isle of Wight is the biggest pain point for most – but I have a few tips to keep those costs down. I travel over from Portsmouth, so I use the Wightlink where the prices vary wildly. It takes around 45 minutes and is the best way of getting your car over there.

1. Choose accommodation that offers Wightlink discounts

Ask when you book and you could save up to 50%. I’ve recently booked a trip with Away Resorts who offer Wightlink ferry crossings from just £31 off-peak. So many accommodations offer discounted ferry travel, I’d recommend you only go for one that does.

2. Book the Wightlink early 

Book your ferry as soon as you know that dates, and you can save up to 50%. Last time I went on the Wightlink I booked on the day, and it was around £120 for a day return with two passengers and a car. You can definitely get it cheaper than that!

3. Use Tesco Clubcard vouchers towards the Wightlink

Whatever you have in Tesco Clubcard points gets doubled if you use it for the Wightlink. You can turn £5 into £10, £10 into £10 etc. You can also use your Tesco Clubcard vouchers for Amazon World Zoo on the Isle of Wight so get that booked while you’re sorting the vouchers.

4. Travel midweek and/or an off peak time

If you want the best price on the Wightlink ferry, then avoid Fridays and Sundays and travel before 10am or after 6pm.

5. Go as a foot passenger

I really like having my car on the Isle of Wight as I just love driving around the island – it’s so beautiful. But, you can stand to save a lot if you just go as a foot passenger. There’s more on the hovercraft below, but you could travel over on the Fast Cat for around £29.20 return. I just went to book this and used Coupon Birds which got me £2.82 off, so it’s worth installing.

6. Take your own snacks on board 

I do really like the Grumpy Mule independent coffee on the top floor of the Wightlink, but it’s £4.50 for an Americano. They have all sorts of (unhealthy) food and snacks on board, but you can save some time by taking your own supplies.

How to save on Hovertravel 

The Portsmouth to Ryde hovercraft is the only year-round scheduled passenger hovercraft service in the world. How exciting is that?!

The hovercraft takes just ten minutes and you can take your bikes and buggies, but no cars.

The hovercraft is so expensive if you just walk up and book. I did that a few years ago, never again. You need to book at least 48 hours in advance to avoid the top price. Even better, use one of these money saving hacks for the Isle of Wight.

7. All Portsmouth residents (PO postcode) get 30% off

Sign up for a HoverBlue card and you can get a 48 hour advance ticket for just £22.20 day return, when it’d be £30.60 normally, or £34 if you walk up on the day. 

8. Hampshire Attractions offers 25% off 

Sign up to Hampshire Attractions and get 25% off hovertravel until 31 December 2026. They also offer 10% off the Wightlink and it’s totally free to get.

9. Always go for the family ticket

A Family Day Return ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children 5-15yrs works out at £65 if you buy in advance. It’d be £61.20 for just the two adults so you’re making a good saving there.

10. Use your Blue Light Card for 25% off

Anyone in the Forces, NHS, police, ambulance service or fire service can get their Blue Light Card 25% discount.

Cheap places to stay on the Isle of Wight

Your accommodation is going to be your biggest expense, but here’s how I get round it. 

11. Isle of Wight holiday parks

There are so many holiday parks on the Isle of Wight. I’ve stayed at a few, including Landguard and Nodes Point which belong to Parkdean.

These are the best and cheapest accommodation on the Isle of Wight, unless you camp. Obviously the prices shoot up in the summer holidays so just be warned to get in there early.

My parents and I paid £160 for 4 nights in a 3-bed modern caravan for 3 adults and a two year old at Landguard Parkdean in Shanklin through The Sun Holidays in June during the week. It included access to the swimming pool and a few classes and (basic) kiddy entertainment too. We could also go to the other site up the road, with it’s outdoor pool. Loved it!

I’ve just paid £320 for three nights at Rookley Lakes Holiday Park in July (with a 10% discount code using Coupon Birds, worth a check).

12. Camping on the Isle of Wight 

There are over 20 campsites on the Isle of Wight ranging from just a simple field, to all the mod cons. This is a great option if you’re really on a budget, and you’ve got all the stuff. In my old age of simplicity, I’m all about the holiday parks now, but you have fun.

13. Check the cheaper hotel chains 

I’ve stayed at the Premier Inn in Newport before – when I was over for the Isle of Wight Festival. No problems or issues with that. There’s also a Travelodge in Ryde.

• The Caledonian Island Hotel – 2 nights for the three of us, £257 (June)
• Channel View Hotel – 1 night for me and Reggie at £81.70 (September)

14. Save money with a self catering apartment

Having your own kitchen save loads by making breakfasts, packed lunches and a few easy dinners rather than eating out for every meal. It’s also handy if you’re travelling with kids, as you’ve got more space, separate bedrooms and somewhere to relax after a day out.

Areas like Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde often have cheaper options than some of the more boutique parts of the island too. We stayed in a great apartment in Shanklin one year, which came with free parking. Just looked and it’s no longer an option but there are plenty about.

Free things to do on the Isle of Wight

15. Take in the natural beauty

There are so many free beaches, coastal walks, viewpoints, sunsets and harbour walks to enjoy on the Isle of Wight. There are also free museums, events and playgrounds year round. And don’t even mention the crabbing and fossil hunting.

Also, these attractions are all free too.

• Garlic Farm
• Donkey Sanctuary
• Briddlesford Farm
• Quarr Abbey
• Fort Victoria

Save money on Isle of Wight attractions 

There are loads of discounts on the Isle of Wight but you need to plan. I’m going to cover the top 5 Isle of Wight attractions here, to save you some money and highlight the National Trust and English Heritage options too.

16. Osborne House deals

I love visiting Osborne House, it’s one of the most impressive places on the island.

You can get 241 entry to Osborne House with Gardener’s World Magazine’s 241 Gardens Card. Click that link for my explainer video on Instagram.

You can also get free entry here with your English Heritage membership. And Blue Peter badge holders get in free with an adult. If you haven’t booked your ferry with accommodation, then look out for the accommodation and attraction deals that can get you entry to Osborne House for less.

17. The Needles offers

Visiting The Needles is the most iconic thing to do on the Isle of Wight, but it can get expensive. The car park is £7 for the day and there are lots of shops and kiddy attractions waiting to take your money. The best way to save money at The Needles is to buy a book of Supersaver Tickets for £12, which would give you £15 worth of tickets and covers the chairlift down to the beach.

18. Robin Hill discounts

Robin Hill is amazing for kids, and you can reward yourself for all your hardcore taboganning, digging and climbing with a trip to the Smokehouse for your lunch. See my post on the best restaurants on the Isle of Wight for more info on that delight.

Robin Hill costs £16.49 in low season, and £25.49 in high – that’s quite the jump! So, first money saving tip would be to go before the school holidays. Other ways to save money there include the classics of bringing your own food and drink, and buying tickets in bulk. As in, the toboggan run works out cheaper per run the more you buy. There’s plenty to do in there for free, so maybe just steer the kids away from the more costly activities.

Last time I went to Robin Hill was October and they were offering cheaper tickets in the run up to Halloween, although of course not for actual Halloween.

19. Blackgang Chine

Doesn’t really do discounts, but, your ticket does last for 7 days so make sure to go on the first day of your trip to make the most out of it.

21. English Heritage Membership on the Isle of Wight

We’ve already covered the stunning Osborne House, but you can also get entry to Carisbrooke Castle, Yarmouth Castle, Appleldurcombe House (ruins of) and St. Catherine’s Oratory.

22. Use your National Trust Membership on the IOW

You can use your National Trust membership for Mottistone Manor Gardens, Bembridge Windmill, Needles Old Battery, and for a few car parks around the island.

Isle of Wight transport tips to save money

23. Taxis on the Isle of Wight

If you’re going to rely on taxis, I’d recommend you book them before you get there. They don’t use Uber there. I went yesterday actually and phone Ryde Taxis to pick me up from Ryde hoverport and take me to Quay Arts as I got on the hovercraft, when I realised how long the bus was going to take.

Last time I went I’d left it till I got there and phoned about four taxi companies before accepting I was going to have to get the bus. So, just give them a bit of notice.

It cost £23 to go from Ryde to Quay Arts in Newport, just in case you were interested (about 30 mins).

24. Using the bus on the Isle of Wight

Getting around the Isle of Wight by bus is the cheapest ways to explore the island, but I wouldn’t trust the timings. I think every bus I’ve got has been late. If you’re on your holidays you’ll be fine, but just wanted to warn you.

Most routes are run by Southern Vectis, with regular services connecting popular spots like Ryde, Newport, Sandown, Shanklin, Cowes and Ventnor. The open-top buses are especially fun in summer, with coastal views along routes like the Needles Breezer.

You can buy tickets on the bus, through the Southern Vectis app, or save money with a Rover ticket for unlimited daily travel. I paid £3 yesterday for a 20 minute trip from Newport to The Blacksmiths Arms – under 5s are free.

Save money on your Isle of Wight trip

Whether you’re planning a cheap Isle of Wight weekend break, a family holiday or just a few days by the sea, there are plenty of ways to save money on the Isle of Wight without missing out on the best bits.

From discounted ferry crossings and budget accommodation to free beaches, cheap days out and money-saving attraction deals, the island can be far more affordable than people think.

The key is to book early, compare prices and plan ahead where you can. Hopefully these Isle of Wight money-saving tips help you enjoy more fish and chips, beach days and coastal walks for less on your next Isle of Wight trip.