Shinkansenfan
Member
- Joined
- 3 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 236
The crucial factor is the connection with the fastcat ferries to Portsmouth, which a high proportion of passengers are transferring to or from. Those run mostly at even 30 minute intervals, so at present the trains connect well only once per hour, the other hourly train misses the ferry in one direction and gives a longer wait in the other.
Greetings! I'm planning to ride both the Island Line (its been a while since I've ridden this line), and the IOW Steam Railway. I'm starting my journey from Waterloo (actually starting from the US) and have a few questions (I did search this forum and other websites for answers):
1. The National Rail Enquiries journey planner shows a 7 minute connection between the arrival of the Waterloo train and the departure of the ferry. How reliable is this connection? (I'm thinking of a Monday morning journey and if I want a longer connecting time, I need to take a train one hour earlier (I'd like to take the fast train), which I'd prefer not to do.)
2. Wightlink Ferry's website states that foot passengers must check in 15 minutes before sailing; but the journey planner schedules this as a 7 minute connection. How strictly is this 15 minute check in enforced?
3. I'll likely purchase a Britrail or Eurailpass, so will need to purchase a ferry ticket. If I purchase on site, I will have 7 minutes or less to do so (assuming the train arrives on time). How realistic is this?
4. If booking on line, the Wightlink website seems to require selecting both the outbound and return journey in advance if purchasing a return ticket. Since I'm not sure which ferry I will take on the return journey, is there a way to get an open return?
Thanks in advance!