The Island Line, part of SWR, operates on the Isle Of Wight from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin. The line was originally opened on 23 August 1864. In 1880, LSWR and LBSCR then jointly opened a line north from Ryde St John's Road.
The Island Line Network runs on the East Coast of the island. The operator connects passenger ferries to reach the mainland at Portsmouth, which is perfect if you want to visit the towns of the island from the mainland. From Portsmouth, trains run to the rest of the UK rail network. Island Line trains connect to the steam railway at Smallbrook Junction.
For much of the length of the Island Line Network, it runs alongside the A3055, criss-crossing the road via the Ryde Tunnel.
South West Trains were operating Island Line Trains from 2007 until SWR took over operating the Island Line from South West Trains in 2017.
You can search for and book tickets for the Island Line with Split My Fare. It is worth it to start to plan your train trip and book your tickets early to get the cheapest train tickets.
As an example, if you start to plan to book your train tickets on the Split My Fare page now, train tickets from Sandown to Portsmouth Harbour cost just £23.70.
Island Line Train Map
The Island Line connects the villages and towns on the Isle Of Wight. The line starts from Ryde Pier Head, with an island platform and ends in Shanklin, a beautiful village whose beach has won many awards.
Services run regularly at alternating intervals of 20 minutes and 40 minutes; during the evening, they are less frequent. A train travels the 8.5-mile distance of the line in around an hour.
The start of the Island Line journey is from Ryde Pier Head and travels along the East Coast of the Isle of Wight. The station has an island platform, though only the western track is still in service. The Island Line is connected to the ferries from here, which you can reach from the town with Wightlink. From the station, services pass through two more stations in the town, the stations of Esplanade and St Johns Road. From there, the network passes through Smallbrook Junction, where services are connected to stations on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
You can view a PDF map or download the PDF of the Island Line by searching for the page on the SWR website.
Click on the Image and Zoom In to have a better view...
Source: Island Line Network Map
Island Line Customer Relations
Telephone: 0345 6000 650
Open Monday to Sunday 06.00 - 22.00
Post: SWR CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Cycle Reservations: 0345 6000 650
Assisted Travel: 0800 5282 100
Open Monday to Sunday 08:00 – 22:00
Lost Property: Visit the SWR lost property page.
Service Disruptions
Engineering work or the Island’s notoriously high winds could disrupt your train on the Isle Of Wight. It is worth checking the status of your journey before you leave.
You can check for disruptions on the SWR Arrivals and Departures page.
Delay Repay
You may be eligible for compensation when your journey is delayed or cancelled.
SWR offer compensation on delayed journeys as below.
15 to 29 minutes
25% of the cost of a single ticket
12.5% of the cost of a return ticket
30 to 59 minutes
50% of the cost of a single ticket
25% of the cost of a return ticket
60 to 119 minutes
100% of the cost of a single ticket
50% of the cost of a return ticket
120 minutes or more
100% of the cost of a ticket, whether a single or return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Island Line have First-Class carriages?
The Island Line can travel from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin in 30 minutes, as such there are no first class carriages.
How much luggage can I take with me on an Island Line trains?
You are permitted to take 2 large items of luggage, along with 1 smaller item on the Island Line. At busy times however, this may not be possible.
Is there WiFi onboard Island Line services?
WiFi is not available on Island Line services, or at any of the stations that trains stop at.
Can I take a bicycle on an Island Line train?
There are 4 spaces for bicycles on every Island Line train; you do not need to reserve in advance. Places are given on a first-come, first-served basis.