Of the 14 campsites within 3.7 miles of the Red Jet terminal in Cowes, 5 are the budget choices, from about £25 a night or less for two.
The Red Jet is quick but not the cheap way over. In 2026 an adult single from Southampton to West Cowes cost £23.65, while the same trip on the car ferry to East Cowes was £13.70, about an hour instead of 28 minutes. Infants aged 0 to 4 travel free on both. For a camping trip on the Red Jet, the Off-Peak Period Return (£29.70 an adult, £14.90 a child in 2026) is the one to price, rather than the Super Off-Peak Day Return, which is a day ticket.
Once across, single bus fares stayed at £3 in 2026 and an adult 24-hour Rover was £11.40 on the app from 30 August 2026. Route 1 runs past Northwood for Comforts Farm. A foot passenger pays £1 each way on the Floating Bridge without a Saver Card, for Waverley Park.
Pigsty Farm and South Thorness Farm are cheap too, but each is about 7km from the terminal, and South Thorness only takes vans.
Holiday park · East Cowes · 0.5 miles
From £13 for two · The cheapest tent pitch you can walk to from the Red Jet. The Floating Bridge costs £1 for a foot passenger without a Saver Card.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes, static caravans
from £13/night
ViewCampsite · Northwood · 1.9 miles
From £20 for two · One fee for two adults and two children, with hook-up £5 extra. Route 1 bus from Cowes, then half a mile on foot.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes
from £20/night
ViewSmall certificated site · Newport · 3.1 miles
From £24 for two · Members' price for the Camping and Caravanning Club. No toilets or showers.
Members only · join the Camping and Caravanning Club to stay
Tents, caravans, motorhomes
from £24/night
ViewPop-up campsite · Newport · 3.6 miles
From £18 for two · Big pitches and two dogs free, but tents only and about 7km from the Red Jet. A traffic-free path runs to Thorness Bay.
Tents
from £18/night
ViewSmall certificated site · Cowes · 3.6 miles
From £18 for two · The pitch price includes everyone in the van, with electricity metered. Caravan and Motorhome Club members with a van only.
Members only · join the Caravan and Motorhome Club to stay
Caravans, motorhomes
from £18/night
ViewNo campsites match all of those.
In 2026 the car ferry to East Cowes was cheaper than the Red Jet: £13.70 for an adult single against £23.65. It takes about an hour rather than 28 minutes, and Waverley Park is about 10 minutes' walk from the East Cowes terminal.
Children aged 5 to 15 pay a child fare, £11.80 for a single in 2026. Infants aged 0 to 4 do not need a ticket.
Waverley Park in East Cowes has a tent field without hook-up, about 25 minutes on foot including the Floating Bridge. Comforts Farm at Northwood charges one flat fee for two adults and two children.
Waverley Park Holiday Centre, about 0.5 miles away as the crow flies.
Waverley Park Holiday Centre, from £13 a night for two adults, is the lowest price we can find over the next year. Prices change with the season and the day of the week, so put your dates into the calculator on this page.
Yes: Waverley Park Holiday Centre and South Thorness Farm CL.
Yes, at Comforts Farm. Most want fires in a raised pit, not on the ground.
