I can’t imagine there is a realistic journey option using two ferries that is either cheaper or faster than using a bus. Nor do I believe there is any demand for such a fare to be available.There are also apparently no fares from island-line stations to yarmouth.
I found a through ticket from London to Shanklin but couldn't get one from Clapham Junction.As another anomaly, I posted last July the question why it was not possible to buy through tickets from Island Line stations to Southern destinations closer than Arundel or Worthing (I was trying to go from Brading to Chichester). We seem to be able to buy through tickets to most other mainland destinations.
No-one came up with an explanation at the time.(Original thread now closed).
11.15 fast ferry from Portamouth to Ryde was reasonably busy yesterday. (Next one was 13.15). Yes signs about pre booking were up but there were no problems using a staff pass. Unfortunately the ferry was 20 late so the connection at Ryde was severed, but no great inconvenience and a chance to walk along the pier.
Be aware they are doing disembarkation in sections on the fast ferry, so if you are after a tight connection at Ryde sit on the right hand side of the craft as they were allowed off first. Access to fresh air up top was limited and they were the last to disembark. There was only one train operating on the island with fairly short turnrounds each end so connections not guaranteed to be held.
Returning by hovercraft was also busy but not full, no problem buying a ticket on the spot.
And, if going beyond Ryde on the Island Line, the more convenient connection to the train at Ryde.most rail passengers would prefer to avoid bus links.
Agreed - many memories of jumping off a slammer and running down the ramp to catch a ferry that was about to leave (Our Lady Pamela/Patricia in those days).The minimum connection time (for journey planners) at Ryde Pier Head is 5 minutes like you say, but the minimum connection time at Portsmouth Harbour is 20 minutes, so journey planners only show tight connections coming from the Isle of Wight to the mainland, but not the other way around.
This also has the side effect of through itineraries to the Gosport Ferry (does anyone use through ticketing for it?) also leaving 20 minutes to connect - from experience, you won't need the full 20 minutes there!
The bus link seems to work quite well but the hovercraft is much more weather dependant than the ferry which may be a consideration.Hoverport is slap bang by Ryde Esplanade bus/rail station. Took me less than 90 seconds to walk to the station platform from exiting the hovercraft so yes its maybe 30 seconds further than the ferry to pier head station but much more convenient for the buses (erghhh buses !). Anyway, I have lived down here 40 years and previously always used the ferry partly because of plugwash's comment as I perceived the bus link as a pain but having had my first hovercraft trip I can honestly say it really was no more hassle than hanging around on a windswept harbour station awaiting the ferry boarding. With luggage, prams and kids in tow though I can see the appeal of the ferry link.
Travelling downstairs is like riding in a floating bus. I much preferred it in the days of the paddle steamers.
Hoverport is slap bang by Ryde Esplanade bus/rail station
Unlike the two previous generations of fast craft on the route, they are almost never cancelled because of bad weather.
A little hard on the Wightlink catamarans. They are actually quite spacious inside, and the seats are much easier to get in and out of than on the competition, the Cowes - Southampton Redjets.
They also have the great advantage of being able to cope comfortably with sea conditions on the Solent. Unlike the two previous generations of fast craft on the route, they are almost never cancelled because of bad weather.
Of course, the paddle steamers were great, but they did take a lot longer to get across.