Days out & open tops
Whether you’re here on holiday or are lucky enough to live on the Island, we have some great routes taking you to areas across the Island that you’ll want to explore. Connecting you with the island's attractions and with two two open-top routes, you can really catch the refreshing Island air as you Breeze around the Island!
Don't forget: you can buy your tickets on our Southern Vectis mobile app! Simply download, buy, scan and go. Please note the Government £2 fare scheme is NOT available on the Island Coaster, Needles Breezer, Downs Breezer or Shanklin Shuttle.
Download App on Apple App Store +
Download App on Google Play Store +
From Saturday 2nd March 2024 until Sunday 3rd November
The Needles Breezer is one of the most spectacular bus rides in all of England, an open-top ride with views that will simply take your breath away, with buses running hourly.
Enjoy a cliff-hugging, dizzy climb from Alum Bay right up to the Needles Battery, high up where the vistas out to sea are intoxicating. The route also links Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay, Dimbola Museum and Galleries, Farringford Estate, Fort Victoria Country Park, as well as historic places of interest and areas of outstanding beauty.
The children will love the Needles Landmark Attraction at Alum Bay, with its fairground rides and chairlift down to the beach.
From Saturday 25th May to Saturday 28th September 2024 (does not operate 20th to 24th June 2024 during Isle of Wight Festival)
The Downs Breezer follows a circular route through pretty countryside, across the tops of the Downs with views out into the English Channel, across the Island and further on towards mainland England.
The bus links the Esplanade with Ryde town, Wootton Station, Sandown Seafront, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Dinosaur Isle, Browns Golf Course and Bembridge.
Our open-top double deck buses with friendly local drivers run every hour from Ryde. Hop on and off anywhere along the route using your 24-hour ticket which also gives you unlimited travel on all our buses across the Island.
From Friday 29th March to Saturday 28th September 2024
The Island Coaster – the ever-popular summer service linking Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin with the West Wight area via Ventnor, Blackgang and Alum Bay, is the longest bus route on the Island.
Due to the landslide in Ventnor it has been re-routed but will now serve the popular Donkey Sanctuary. Then travelling to Ventnor, Whitwell and Chale before heading towards Freshwater and the iconic Needles Landmark attraction at Alum Bay.
The Island Coaster is perfect for those who wish to visit The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown Beach, Shanklin Esplanade, Donkey Sanctuary, Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight Pearl, Military Road, Freshwater Bay and so much more.
Along the Military Road the journey gives panoramic views of the ‘Back of the Wight’ coastline between Blackgang and Freshwater Bay. The views of the coast from the upper deck are not to be missed – don’t forget your camera! The Island Coaster is operated by a closed top bus.
From Saturday 25th May to Saturday 28th September 2024
Take a ride around Shanklin town aboard our convenient shuttle bus. Visit the spectacular Shanklin Chine in the heart of the Old Village, stop off for a cream tea in the traditional tea rooms, sample some of the Island's best ales or head to the beach for sandcastles and ice cream. The Shanklin Shuttle connects the main town with the seafront. The Shanklin Shuttle is operated by a closed top bus.
Friday 29th March to Saturday 28th September 2024
Our Summer Links service is incredibly popular and it is back in time for the Easter Weekend. Running from Newport to Yarmouth - taking passengers right across the centre of the island’s beautiful rural landscape. It stops near to a number of popular attractions, including Tapnell Farm, Chessell Cafe and Calbourne Water Mill.
Ticket information
A new Rover+Breezer ticket
To make the most of our seasonal services, we recommend purchasing a Rover+Breezer or a Freedom Ticket. These ticket types enable you to travel where, when and as often as you like for the duration of your ticket.
From the start of this Breezer season we are introducing a new ticket type which will be known as Rover+Breezer ticket.
The Rover+Breezer ticket are available as 24 & 48 hour options. Available to buy from your driver or at one of our travel shops in Ryde, Yarmouth and Newport.
Purchased the wrong ticket?
Don't worry, we have also introduced an upgrade ticket so if you have purchased a Rover on one of our regular services and then choose to ride the Breezer later that day. The upgrade ticket will be valid to use on day of issue only; if issued to cover the second day of a 24-hour Rover ticket, the upgrade will only be valid until the expiry time of the 24-hour ticket.
All Freedom and Multi-Day tickets will continue to be valid on the Breezers at no additional charge.