My Amazing ‘Flight’ on the Unique Southsea to Ryde Hovercraft Service.

This truly was a first for me - taking the 'Hoverbus' to Southsea, Portsmouth Hoverport, then heading across The Solent to Ryde on the Isle of Wight onboard the only scheduled hovercraft service in the world!
And what a unique experience it was. Come with me as I show you the booking and boarding process, the trip itself and the facilities on board. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the other end where we zoom up the beach in Ryde to end what was an amazing 'flight'!
As always guys, many thanks for supporting the channel. It's always appreciated. All likes, comments, subs are massively appreciated and it really encourages me to make more content for you all to enjoy.
Cheers for now.
Mark
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#letsmakeatrip #hovercraft #hovertravel #isleofwight #solent
📖Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:56 - The Hoverbus to Southsea
03:00 - Booking and Boarding
06:05 - Flying Across the Solent
09:58 - Arrival at Ryde
11:37 - Summary

[@metrowake11]

Or by buying through rail tickets, Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde St John’s Road which includes bus and hover is £15.40 anytime day single, less with railcard. That’s the way to get best value hover travel to the best of my knowledge

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, all checks out mate. Thanks for the tip. Pinned!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You can even book to the end of the Island line, and it's like £20 return, inc bus & train.

[@johncarr712]

Useful tips. Definitely one to try out

[@andyalder7910]

Surely the rail ticket is via catamaran?

[@NonstopEurotrip]

@@andyalder7910 nope

[@pompeymonkey3271]

Having lived in Southsea/Portsmouth for 95% of my life, I take all of this for granted. It's only when I see an "outsider's" perspective that I realise what an unusually bonkers place this is! Thank you for the excellent video.

[@Welsh_YETI]

They don't mess about them Hover crafts do they. Inflate, turn then boom.....46mph hold tight. 😆

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Fascinating to watch and travel on 👍

[@philipridgway2783]

I travelled on the hovercraft in its first year of operation in 1965 as a 7 year old with my Grandfather a great experience something I can still remember today

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Brilliant Philip - I think the hovercrafts themselves have changed a bit over the years. There was an older one on the ramp at Ryde I noticed and yes I think I'll remember this for a few years!

[@TriciaBute]

Philip, you and I must be a similar age, as I too had the pleasure of travelling on a hovercraft in 1965, coincidentally when I was 7 too! I've never forgotten the experience, if it was so exciting and wonderful.

[@carnalea2424]

I remember travelling, it must have been mid-60s or so, from Stokes Bay, (Gosport) to Ryde. But I think that particular service only lasted a couple of years.

[@CornishGardenTeam]

when i was 7 my family took me over to France from Ramsgate on the Sir Christpher Cockerell, a car- carrying hovercraft that was enormous. It was epic. Much more epic than the VW Beetle we were travelling in.

[@delicioussoundschoir9441]

There is a hovercraft museum in Lee-on-the-Solent. Very interesting and you can climb on board several exhibits.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Didn’t know that, thanks for the info. Definitely like to do that next time I’m down there 😊👍

[@joshhayes5218]

I’ve worked for Hovertravel for 6 years and it’s one of the best jobs in the world I am a cashier based in Ryde

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Josh, it’s pretty unique isn’t it! Thanks for the comment and it’s good to hear you love the job (counts for a lot these days) 😊👍

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Amazing machines, I would love to do that! 😎

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Definitely recommend it Bob.

[@markstramtrainbuscapades1729]

I remember holidaying at Southsea in the seventies, when the hoverport was completely open, so you could watch the hovercraft arrive and depart. Didn'y go on it though, until many years later!

[@angelmessenger8240]

Birds eating out of a person's hand, yes that's amazing.

[@MrPants1970]

Love going on the hover craft, I have been on every model from the 1970s and the huge SRN4 that used to cross the channel

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

The SRN4 must’ve been impressive! Wish I’d have done it when I had the chance but it’s great this one still exists and, certainly when I was there, it was very popular. Cheers 😊👍

[@td2691]

Bloody marvellous

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers 😊👍

[@philpedlow]

I vaguely remember being on a hovercraft on a family holiday, some company called Sally Line, I'm struggling to recall the from and to but I think it was Ramsgate/Dunkirk but was many moons ago as a kid. I might be mixing my travels up there and Sally Line was a conventional car ferry, can't be sure was so long ago. Perhaps it was HoverLloyd but i do recall it being fabulous fun and I grinned like a Cheshire Cat the whole time, rather like yourself in that vid Mark 😄 loved it 👍

[@Timstravels01]

Incredible technology and a fabulous watch.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great isn’t it. Always wanted to ride on one and I’m glad I finally made the effort. Cheers mate 😊👍

[@flyingmyles]

I love the IOW and the hover craft even more! It's a lovely trip and very unique

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Some great travel adventures on the IoW and a couple more to come from me in the next few weeks Myles 👍

[@flyingmyles]

@@LetsMakeaTrip oh I'm looking forward to those !

[@jonathanfrankel6787]

Our family used to take them to France all the time in the 80’s and 90’s. They can handle extremely rough conditions. I do remember one particular Calais to Dover crossing where it was an utter vomit fest.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I never had the pleasure unfortunately! Would’ve loved to have done that route though maybe not in rough conditions! Cheers 😊👍

[@briangentle5515]

I took my family between Calais and Dover, also Ramsgate at one time with Hovertravel, which was later merged with the British Rail (remember them?) Seaspeed craft to run as Hoverspeed. The trip was great and very fast if it was calm; best I ever experienced was a shade over 30 minutes. However, though they could handle winds up to about force 6, the trip then became extremely shaky and took far longer, as the craft had to travel far more slowly. Still, it was real fun, if perhaps not terribly environmentally friendly. I was once told that technically they could have gone on forever, because they had aircraft engines, but ran them at a much lower speed, so far less wear and tear. And yes, they are registered as aircraft; you will have noticed the "GH" number on the hovercraft tail. G is the UK aircraft registration and they added the H for hovercraft. Hope that's not too. much information!

[@briboy2009]

Years ago when this company was just starting out I worked on the Island and the hovercraft was a lot smaller then. In fact, if you were lucky you could get a seat right next to the pilot. He was not on an upper deck like he is today. They are very wary of the weather these days as there was one time when a hovercraft that was nearing Southsea flipped over.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I read about that when researching the service. I must admit it was in the back of my mind then I guess regs (you would hope anyway) are much tighter now as a result.

[@cfridaycfriday3363]

Thanks so much for sharing. Like others in the comments I was lucky enough to fly on one of the SRN6s - 1982 - with my family. As a ten year old I remember the noise, heat and smell of kerosene in the cabin. Must have been a rough day (seem to recall summer '82 was a bit soggy) as was very bouncy but absolutely loved it. Brings back memories of my late father who made it all happen... thanks again.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Many thanks for the comment and I’m glad it brought back fond memories. Wish I’d have done it much earlier tbh but it’s fantastic to finally have had the experience.

[@6deste]

That was awesome, thanks guys 👍🏻

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, thanks for watching 😊👍

[@neilcoram3495]

Hi Mark, that looked a great good to see you really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I did Neil! Cheers mate, thanks for the comment 😊

[@stevew007uk]

As a family we used to go on the massive hovercrafts to France back in the late 70's or early 80's these beasts carried cars as well and I think took only 30 minutes to cross the channel. What a great way to travel

[@argonaut816]

Hoverspeed and the ferry industry in general were destroyed when the EU stopped duty free sales between the UK and France

[@iankemp1131]

The last of these can still be seen at the Hovercraft Museum, in Lee-on-the-Solent over the other side of the harbour from Portsmouth.

[@petertwinn786]

Was by far the best and fastest way to cross the channel. Much faster than the tunnel with only a 10 minute checkin time.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I missed out on those unfortunately. Glad I got to try one in the end though, albeit much smaller!

[@broomybank]

I also went to France on the hovercraft in the 70s. It was speedy, but the enclosed cabin wasn’t pleasant if other passengers were sea sick

[@marktaylor299]

I’m Portsmouth born and bred, but have lived since 1996 in South Gloucestershire. Came across your videos the other day, when I was reminiscing about the sight and sound of the Hovercraft coming up Southsea Beach- we used to watch it when we were swimming back in the 60’s and 70’s!! Really love your videos - they are superbly done and really bring the feel and atmosphere of wherever you are to your screen. Very well done and thank you. Really looking forward to watching all the others. 😊😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mark, sorry it’s taken a while to reply but just to say I really appreciate the comment and if it inspires others to travel and/or brings back memories then that’s good enough for me. Thanks mate 😊👍

[@marktaylor299]

@@LetsMakeaTrip No problem Mark- you have been very busy!!!! Hope all is well and looking forward to your next trip. All the best 😊😊

[@TheHobartAviationFan]

A very cool experience 👏

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was. Cheers for the comment.

[@richardstreet7518]

Visit the Hovercraft museum in Lee on Solent.... special open days with unusual craft and the chance of a different flight ... plus you get to see the preserved car carrying SRN4 stretch ....

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Richard, yep someone else has mentioned this. I hadn’t heard of it before but I’m definitely going to have a look next time I’m down there 👍

[@sheilam4525]

I would love to travel in a hovercraft, Mark, looked great!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was fantastic Sheila. Hopefully you can do it one day and check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@robwebster7406]

Thanks for the vid, I’m going on it for the first time tomorrow, can’t wait.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Enjoy Rob! It was a great experience I thought.

[@iFunkMasterJ]

I used to work for Hovertravel years ago. The dad of a friend of mine was also a pilot, and I believe he helped deliver some of the older craft to Sierra Leone

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Interesting. I wonder how you train/qualify to pilot a hovercraft too. Quite a niche job I suspect.

[@iFunkMasterJ]

@@LetsMakeaTrip when I was there, I believe pilots had to have reached lieutenant/leftenant rank in the Navy. Got a feeling there were x number of years Naval service too required. We got to sit up in the cockpit every now and again, which were top moments for me.

[@bustersw1760]

Many years ago, there were two hovercraft operators in Portsmouth. The original Hovertravel, using SRN6 craft, but British Rail / Seaspeed also used to operate one from the Portsmouth Harbour station to Ryde Pier head using I believe SRN 5`s. We used to use this service, as it was more convenient, as with direct access from the station.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, didn't realise they had competition and yes, Portsmouth Harbour must've been a big advantage for them at the time. I guess it met the same fate as the cross-channel one?

[@iankemp1131]

@@LetsMakeaTrip The Portsmouth Harbour service may have used sidewall hovercraft. It only lasted a few years. One reason was shown in a cine film my Dad took; in a typical westerly wind the hovercraft really struggled to get away from the pier at Portsmouth, it kept being blown back against it. Ironically the beach-type landings at Southsea and Ryde Esplanade worked better than piers. I think the fuel cost psot-1973 also killed this service if it lasted that long. The solution were the fast catamaran ferries in 1986. SRN5s were used briefly on the Southsea-Ryde route before the SRN6s appeared and again my dad had a cine film of it; they had a much smaller passenger capacity.

[@newpersonatuni]

Good to see you smiling there. Looked like great fun

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was! Definitely recommend it for something different.

[@roystonvasey5471]

If I had known you could have popped in for a cup of tea. I can hear the hovercraft from where I live.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, I would have! Next time then eh 😊

[@maggiesamuels2937]

Wow! Brilliant me and the hubby were just taking about this hoover craft from Portsmouth to Rye on the Isle of White. 👍🏻

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Maggie, definitely worth a trip but check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@ekspatriat]

I did that trip in 1976 (that summer). I was green at the other end. What I did witness was the mighty SRN4 beaching. A huge magnificent beast.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I just about remember that yes - extremely hot! Might have preferred some open deck space on the ferry at that time tbh! 👍

[@sandiandgregh]

That was amazing! So cool! We're adding that to our "to do" list for our next visit to England. The expression on your face said it all; what a fun thing to do! - Sandi & Greg H (Canada)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers both. Oh yes you should definitely try it and when you get to the IoW, there is lots to do (couple more videos coming up on that next 😊).

[@EmmaBrown-rt1ip]

I went on the hovercraft a couple of weeks ago for my 50th birthday 🎂 it was a must do for me and I loved every minute of my flight. Can’t wait to go on it again 😊

[@xscores9694]

Great stuff. Thank you

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, thanks for the comment 😊👍

[@markcf83]

Looking forward to travelling on this in a few weeks time when I visit the Isle of Wight for the first time.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Enjoy, I loved it!

[@MH_1-9-9-6]

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Pompey ! The wightlink Highspeed catamaran to ryde pier is fun day out too

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I always enjoy my time in Portsmouth 😊 and yep, lots more to discover yet 👍

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

Having a Hovercraft from Salford Quays, Liverpool or Holyhead to Dublin might very well be a good thing and it can be a flexible mode of transport, going further along the River Liffey, up to either the Custom House, O’ Connell Bridge or Capel St Bridge

[@yonmons]

I used to commute to IOW a few years ago I had a 6 month contract on the Island ( Pre Covid ) I used to use the Fastcat but if I was feeling flush I would use the Hovercraft at that time it was a quid dearer and it’s nearer to home. I was a little shocked to see what they are charging for a single ticket these days it’s certainly gone up in price dramatically. But can I say as a lad that lived for fifty years In Manchester that IOW commute was a privelidge to travel daily by either mode of transport.

[@shaunbarrett5599]

Seeing this vlog brings back childhood memories of holidays on iow and crossing on the hovercraft

[@justinsincoise6693]

Amazing...

[@christopherperkins3416]

This brought back memories of long ago for me. In the early 1980's part of my work involved visiting five or six locations every six months in Newport, Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde. I couldn't do all six in a day so it was four visits. I was stunned to see that the terminal building at Portsmouth still looked the same.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Christopher, glad it brought back some memories for you (even if it was work-related!). Cheers for the comment.

[@Danny-mv9qj]

Wow this is cool! Definitely an experience sold for the price; it is the world's only hovercraft service after all! Great video as always!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Danny, there are ways to do it cheaper, check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@traceymayo1583]

Im glad you said it was smooth lol We are hoping to take our first "flight" sometime this year. i cant wait. I do get sea sick sometimes so I hope that it wont bump about too much

[@deanstephenhayward2652]

Another excellent vlog,calm and unhurried, you haven't done the scillonian ferry trip yet ,look forwards to that one,be careful of the seasonal sailing times ,not sure of winter sailings, anyway enjoying your honest assessments of your travels,and indeed you wet my appetite to travel😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Dean, I haven’t done the Scillonian yet no. I was thinking out of season but with my schedule the way it’s going, probably early 2024 now at best. I will get to it one day 😊

[@garyanderson9644]

Hi Mark , another good trip, the last time I went on one of them was back in the 80s to Calais, Yes you do get thrown about when the sea is choppy 😅 . It's nice to try something different. Many thanks 👍👍👍.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Gary, thanks for watching. I'm glad I tried it when the sea was calm tbh (the first time anyway!).

[@jennieboothe8451]

I do that same trip every year to ryde to visit my son do enjoy the hovertravel

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I enjoyed it Jennie though I do like being out on deck too so the ferry is just as nice for me.

[@user-kx4mw3ud4c]

The walk from the Hard to the Hoverport is pretty good; probably no more than 15 minutes and includes Spice Island l, bits of Old Portsmouth, the Hot Walls, and a few other highlights. Great channel BTW.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate. Yep, on another day I may have tried out the walk because Portsmouth (especially this area) is fascinating and very historic. I love Portsmouth and next time i'm down there I'll be sure to try it out. Cheers.

[@markcf83]

Duly noted. I'll make sure to walk back to Portsmouth.

[@elainefarrar]

That is what I call a fun day out! More exciting than Christmas Eve 😁

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oh it certainly was! 😊

[@cryzcryz2345]

Amazing experience! I love it! 🤩

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

As did I 😊👍

[@ronaldjohnson6906]

I remember when one of the hovercrafts years ago near south parade pier in Portsmouth flipped over in rough season killing all those on board.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I read about that when researching. A while back now but still tragic. At least changes were made and safety improved.

[@UKWMO]

4th March 1972

[@larryc9617]

We used to go over to the IOW quite often when i lived just a few miles from portsmouth, was a good cheap day out back then, If i remember rightly was £22 for a family of 5, as you say loads to do once there, pubs, fish and chips all the usual things to do, the kids liked the bowling alleys the most but was a fun day for all that didnt break the bank.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Larry, sounds like great days 😊👍

[@baseballfan99]

Great to see how excited you were, like a kid in a candy store. I was impressed how busy and frequent the service is. I remember my grand parents going on a hovercraft many years ago across to France on the now defunct service. I remember them saying it did not handle the big waves so well. As we used to take the car to the IOW on holidays back in the 80’s I have only ever taken the Fishbourne ferry so maybe I will take this one day.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep a first for me! A bit different to the conventional ferry for sure though it is nice to be outside on an open deck.

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Thanks mate a great trip very interesting, cheers and stay safe.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Simon, I definitely recommend it if you’re ever in the area and check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Simon, I definitely recommend it if you’re ever in the area and check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@johncrwarner]

I used to use the cross-channel hovercrafts when they ran and I was returning from a conference near Paris and the Channel was storm force 9 (hilarious in French that is "très agitée" whereas the English is "very rough") The pilot decided to go this was because we were the last flight on a Sunday night It was very bumpy - drops between 1 - 2 metres and I was the only one on my row not to use the sick bags Normally the journey was 30 - 40 minutes but this one was 70 minutes as we went in a parabolic curve rather than straight across.

[@Zomerset]

Brilliant! Can’t believe this is still going. Used to watch this loads as a kid when I visited family in Portsmouth, and that was early 90s.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, going strong judging by the number of passengers on this service. Definitely recommend a trip - a great experience.

[@TravelSignal]

Love it! It's been a long time since I last went to the island (and even longer since I took the hovercraft!) Looks like one of the older hovercraft on the right, right at the end of your video, along with a single seater! Hope you'll get to explore the island, the new trains, spectacular bus routes, and maybe the catamaran fast ferry back? Thanks!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was one of the older craft at the end (I’m reliably informed). And yes, a couple more videos to come from this series 👍

[@Didderly]

Nice trip m8. I did the old Princess Margaret years ago and the jet foils back in the 70's 80's,...great memories of long gone beasts

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, lots of memories in he comments about those days. Never had the chance unfortunately so this is the best that’s left I guess. Great experience though 👍

[@shaneD7378]

I have travelled on the hovercraft a few times, and i love travelling by it national rail tickets from the mainland to the island do also give you a ticket for the hovercraft more than the wightlink foot passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde peirhead

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep I’ve subsequently found that walk up fares are the most expensive, check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@andythompson7450]

Mate 4.5 k views in one day is immense. You’re smashing it !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Andy. Well, it’s pretty good for me 😂👍

[@margaretpickbourn2647]

Brilliant video Mark. Looked great

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was Margaret, definitely recommend it 😊👍

[@seancoleman8528]

Love this I used it many yrs ago and it was a rough crossing but only takes 10 min so worth it., didn't think it was that amazing birds find quick ways yo get food

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep the hovercraft was much more impressive than the bird feeder imho!!

[@melvynbuckton6881]

Excellent video as always

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Melvyn 😊👍

[@anthonypope8429]

great video i have been on a HOVERCRAFT over to france it took 45 mins and the see was rought i was sick because of the sea

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Anthony, that must’ve been a while back. Maybe try this one in calm weather and you’ll love it?

[@steve-marsh]

That was incredible mate, is that you now ticked off the last mode of public transport!? Very expensive for commuters although I guess you might get a subsidy with an IOW postcode? I'd love to know why there are not more of these in operation - is it a weather problem? I'm guessing these will get cancelled long before the regular ferry? Well done man!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ah cheers Steve, yep I really enjoyed it. Actually if you fancy it yourself, check out the post I’ve pinned where you can do it a lot cheaper. Wish I’d have known about that before! Anything left for me? Oh yes - balloon flight though I’m not sure there are any scheduled services unfortunately 😂

[@iankemp1131]

The big problems were noise and fuel cost, as they used gas turbine aero engines. The later ones are better on both, using diesels I believe. But the payload is fairly small compared to a catamaran ferry. Nevertheless, great to see hovercraft still in operation on the pioneer route; first in, last out, and seemingly for many years to come.

[@UKWMO]

Yes those living on the island do get discounts for travel. The Solent is the world’s most expensive waterway for cost per mile. It’s all competitive, the catamaran is roughly around the same cost. Now being powered by diesel engines rather than the old gas turbine engines, they are now more fuel efficient. Oita Prefecture in Japan have just purchased three 12000td craft from GriffonHoverwork for passenger services over there. They are called Baien, Banri and Tanso and are a few metres longer than these two on the Solent route. By the way the other craft seen in the background on the right at Ryde hover pad is a BHT130 craft called Solent Express and is currently up for sale. Oh and the hovercraft will operate to the same weather limits of the catamaran, I’m not sure but there must be a regulation wind speed which has to be adhered to.

[@drunkenwoodelf]

ngl I would genuinely be enamoured by a woman feeding a bird bread. Birds are fascinating and seeing them interact with humans so casually is rare. It may seem mundane and boring to you, but then again, so would taking a trip on a hovercraft to many other folks. Great video! I've always loved the hovercraft.

[@stevenreynolds3627]

My Mum used to work for Griffon Hoverwork, one of her ex colleagues worked on the hovercraft scenes in the Bond film Die Another Day (which were filmed in Hampshire rather than North Korea)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Fantastic Steven, thanks for sharing 😊👍

[@mikedown1250]

yippee! its friday. Thanks for the upload

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Pleasure Mike, thanks for the comment too 😊👍

[@SoldierCivilWarYT]

Thanks for the good content mark . I've never been to Portsmouth but it looks amazing I wonder how it would feel to see hms warrior in person and be on a hovercraft but I bet it would feel amazing anyways cheers for now and happy to see you again next Friday cheers mate👍😀 Edit:I replied to you on your 2nd branded Megabus trip

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi pixle! Yep definitely recommend Portsmouth there are so many ‘adventure opportunities’ from there. Sorry if I’ve not replied to your previous reply, I’m struggling to keep up with comments atm tbh as there’s quite a lot coming in (which is a good thing overall I guess 😊).

[@SoldierCivilWarYT]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Sorry mate I didn't know there were that many comments coming In but I prob know why you like it THE PLAN!!!!!😂

[@pomerau]

I took the catamaran a few times in the last 20 years, but was nervous of the bouncing on the hovercraft. This helped a lot as it seems on a calm day it's only neck rollingly bobbly for the initial bit. I know it's an easy walk to the Portsmouth / Southsea hoverport from the Gunwharf Quays developement. On the other side of this shopping mall is Portsmouth harbour rail terminus where this bus picked up from, and directly behind that is the catamaran ferrry terminal; plus the nice shorter ferry ride to Gosport, also worth a trip.

[@calebmumby5803]

That was truly amazing think I might do this one day cheers

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Definitely recommend it Caleb 😊👍

[@chegeny]

Thanks, Mark, for taking us along. I've always wanted to take the hovercraft to the IOH; hopefully this year. I'd say the lady feeding the bird was nice. Although, I believe many of us have lost our comprehension of what the word "amazing" actually means.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate and if you do do it, check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@peterdean8009]

"Amazing?" Hardly. It's another word used regularly on KZbin titles. Same goes for "Secret" and "best EVER" .

[@chuckbradley1]

Now thats cool!!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, it was!

[@terrycrossley4918]

I prefer the cheaper CAT 20 minute or so from Portsmouth Harbour. This connects conveniently with trains on the mainland to London, Cardiff, Brighton, Salisbury and involves no bus link. Trains at Ryde Pier also connect with the CAT service operated by Wightlink. Rough weather affects the Hovercraft much more regularly than the CAT or car ferry service which also takes foot passengers though with poorer on Island connections.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I might try that then next time I’m down there Terry. Cheers for the info 😊👍

[@Nicolaizans]

As a resident on the isle of wight, sailings do mostly get suspended in Bad weather. Once I was on the hovercraft and it was so windy that everyone had to move to the front of the boat!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Wow that must've been cool and frightening at the same time! Not sure I'd have fancied that tbh!

[@AndreiTupolev]

Even £23 is very very stiff. Though ferry fares to the Isle of Wight have always been famously very expensive

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, it’s not that cheap though you can do it much cheaper than I did (see pinned post for that).

[@paulburton9386]

Great video. I've only ever caught a jet foil and a ferry to the IOW back in the 80s! However, I did travel to France on the bigger hovercraft (including the Princess Anne, which has been preserved) back in the 80s.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Paul. I remember the cross-channel ferries but sadly never got to fly on one. I’d love to see the Princess Anne though 😊👍

[@trevormillar1576]

I went on the SRN4 from Folkestone to Boulogne and back. Most f 1:50 fun I ever had

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I never had the pleasure but I do remember them 👍

[@leemuggeridge1392]

Could you imagine if this company invested more money into slightly bigger capacity crafts and introduced cross channel journeys to france for foot passengers? I know that there was once a car and passenger craft previously but this would certainly make travel a lot faster for people that wish to do day excursions or holidaying over in france.

[@andrewclark8630]

Brilliant video - next time you may want do a bus journey on the Island, with some of them nearly two hours' long you could imagine you are on a coach. If you wanted to go on a conventional coach, there are plenty of options for holidays by coach on the Isle of Wight, although given the age of the clientele it would probably would be more of a laugh for your viewers than it would be for you!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, cheers Andrew. There’s a couple of videos to come soon. Not a coach this time but maybe one of the buses 👍

[@JackSullivan101]

I live in Southsea, good to see an up to date video about the hovercraft, I personally don’t use it as it’s pricey.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers MrJ34K, I thought it was a bit pricey though I’ve since discovered you can get better fares. Check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@nickmagee-brown739]

Ah mate, It's a shame you never got to ride the SRN4's from Dover to Calais, wow, that really was an experience like no other, never beaten for speed across the channel, not even the amazing Le Shuttle train Can beat it. Fabulous and quirky British engineering! Love the channel, you should do the TGV when you get the chance.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Nick. Yep I certainly remember the cross-channel hovercrafts but when I was young, we'd always opt for the conventional ferry across the channel. They did look cool though. Thanks for the kind words btw, I will take another trip on the TGV at some point though hardly anyone watches my european train adventures. Not sure why but I guess others have cornered the market a bit in that respect.

[@nickmagee-brown739]

@@LetsMakeaTrip No problems and pleasure, enjoy your work!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate 😊

[@StevenBoyd-yy6rw]

My favourite seat on the hovercraft is by the engine

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I think you’re probably right

[@MrCobo04]

I went via train Waterloo to Portsmouth then to Ryde on hovercraft. The look on the ticket officers face when we asked for - ticket to Ryde.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, I must try that next time (and it’s cheaper that way as I understand)!

[@MrCobo04]

The rail and hovercraft fare was combined. The return was only a few pounds more than the single.

[@travelbuzz1]

03:45 Ah... gotta love Pompey people! 😆 The hovercraft's always good fun.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Certainly was for me. Loved it!

[@neilwoodward7336]

Lovely trip. I made this journey as a first date with my wife in August 2015. We then married in Kathmandu, had 2 children and she left me in March 2021. (with a UK visa and 2 British nationality children). So.... bittersweet memories 😢😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Neil. Sounded like an amazing time, just sorry to hear it didn’t work out. Best regards, Mark.

[@tpaul2866]

Their operating licence allows them to travel in wave heights up to 1.5 metres. Wind speeds of force 6 or less. In rough weather they are usually the first service to cancel with passengers allowed to use tickets on Wightlink’s fastcat service from Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier head. Flat calm conditions they operate up to 43 knots (50 mph).

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Paul, appreciate the info 😊👍

[@damianwalls1262]

Did it about 40 years ago to Isle of Wight i think

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

On the older hovercraft 👍

[@JK-db2wj]

The crafts were built in the local area so it’s a real piece of south hampshire industry on show. The biggest issue with the craft is when it gets windy they can’t run so they shuttle passengers off to the Wightlink foot passenger ferry which takes a lot longer

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I do wonder what the cut-off point is. The sea was pretty calm on this trip so I reckon it can bounce around a bit as well!

[@davidgee9241]

Did THIS in the 1980S. It WAS BRILLIANT.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, pleased to say I did it once and it is a pretty unique thing. I loved it.

[@jamesdelatour2266]

I used to take this every morning& evening to and from school. Ryde school, before I started boarding. It’s nothing special.. just an alternative to the Wightlink fast cat from Portsmouth. However, it’s often cancelled if there’s any moderately bad weather…

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes but if you’ve never been on it before, for me, it was a particular highlight of the trip.

[@jamesdelatour2266]

@@LetsMakeaTrip oh I wasn’t downplaying, it’s very cool, however if it’s part of your commute it can be a love hate relationship.

[@beasmith1]

I've never been on one of these. My Mum has been to Jersey on the 'Cat' I assume that's slightly different to one of these, takes about 5 hours.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes it’s a lot faster Bea. I might try it next time tbh, I think it’s worth a shot if the weather’s calm enough!

[@keithwatkins7908]

Wow, what an experience, as you say, its unique. And your mate was all dressed up as though he was going to the Isle of Wight festival! I reckon even a 10 minute journey, I could still get seasick though! Great to see wonderful views of Portsmouth and Isle of Wight on your combined coach and ferry trip, thank you.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Keith and a couple more trip ideas to come from down there too 👍

[@tonycook603]

As a resident of Ryde, I loved your video and your excitement at taking a journey I just take for granted. During the winter months I am one of many IOW people that use the hovercraft every other week to go to football at Portsmouth. There is a special rate for football supporters of £14 return, which includes the hoverbus. The only problem is that the service is cancelled fairly regularly because of high winds. I would say this happens 3 to 4 times each football season.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Tony! That’s great value for the return too. I went to Fratton Park once - great ground. We won (Shrewsbury) and after the match I headed over to the IoW on I think must’ve been the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry. I was driving so the hovercraft was out of the question that time unfortunately.

[@tonycook603]

@@LetsMakeaTrip if driving it must have been the Fishbourne ferry. There is also the passenger ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde. Good luck to the Shrews this season and glad that Steve Cotterill is better after his health scares.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

He is, but he’s gone (had enough of the chairman I think!).

[@paulhellander2791]

Great and unusual trip. Never managed to get on a hovercraft when I lived in the UK. You're a lucky bloke, mate! Is there a big fare price difference between the hovercraft and the conventional ferry? PaulInOz.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Paul, it’s slightly cheaper on the conventional ferry but check out metrowake11’s tip I’ve pinned at the top, you can do it for a lot less than I did 👍

[@jmshrrsn]

I understand the hovercraft service has a reciprocal agreement with the Isle of Wight ferry in that should either service be affected by breakdown or bad weather, passengers can use the alternative service. However given that the hovercraft is more susceptible to bad weather, it seems it’s a bit of a one-sided affair, and the impact on the conventional ferry service is far greater (although I’m sure their concessions do pretty well as a result of the extra passengers!).

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I was going to say it sounds a little bit ‘one way traffic’. Agree the concessions will do well and of course something like the Victoria of Wight will take well over 1k passengers. Cheers mate 😊👍

[@MrRQBQ]

Don't forget, in addition to the Hovercraft service and the car ferry to Fishbourne, there is also a passenger ferry service which sails between Portsmouth Harbour train station and Ryde Pier.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I quite fancied the Cowes route too but just didn’t have enough time on this trip to do it. I will be back someday 😊👍

[@barrydavis8232]

And don't forget the car ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth.

[@MrRQBQ]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, the journey up Southampton Water is well worth the trip.

[@MrRQBQ]

@@barrydavis8232 Yes, I've been on that trip, only problem is I lost my front row view when I went to the bar to buy a beer. 😀

[@skyblazeeterno]

For me the best trip to the Isle Of Wight was by catamaran from Southampton(?) to Cowes its been decades so dont know if it still runs

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

There is a ferry going to Cowes. I think it may be the Red Funnel one.

[@iankemp1131]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, the so-called "Red Jet" catamaran from Southampton to West Cowes. Takes half the time of the car ferry to East Cowes.

[@clareclark6535]

Many many years ago when the cat was from Portsmouth to Ryde when it was Sealink it broke down in front of me (the Patricia) and I think people had to be rescued 😮 I was really young 😮 but I think this is what put me off for years!

[@mothmagic1]

Who cares about the technical terms? You enjoyed the experience so that is all that matters.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You’d be amazed how many pedants there are on here 😂

[@Gotnoname25]

How do you get from Wales to top of scotland then birmingham now your at Portsmouth?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I love travel 😊 this week I’ve been in Norwich, The Netherlands, Cromer, Peterborough and……… Blackpool!! Just come back today and now I’m in the pub 🙄

[@Online_is_limited]

that's crazy