Shuttle Buses on the island

We will be operating a dedicated shuttle bus service to make it as easy and hassle free as possible for you to get to the Bestival site and back again. There will be a frequent bus service with teams of luggage loaders to help ensure your waiting time is as short as possible and your journey is quick and comfortable so you can get ready to enjoy Bestival.

The following information relates to the on-Island transport services operated by Big Green Coach on behalf of Bestival between the Isle of Wight ferry ports, Newport and the Bestival site.

Please read it very carefully…

Shuttle Buses will operate between the various ferry ports and the festival site. Running times may change due to meet operational requirements. Please ensure you give yourself plenty of time if you have specific ferries or other connections to make. It’s very likely that there will be queues at the busier times for the coaches and traffic conditions can be unpredictable.

Times shown are for the first and last scheduled departure on each day. On Thursday and Friday this refers to departures from ferry ports. On Sunday and Monday this refers to departures from the festival site.

IMPORTANT: The ferry ports operating a full service during these hours are RYDE (for Hovertravel and Wightlink), EAST COWES and WEST COWES. There will be a service from Yarmouth on Thursday and Friday up until 1600 (4pm) only.

Thursday 6th September:
First departure 0600 (6am)
Last departure 2300 (11pm)
Last departure from Yarmouth 1600 (4pm)

Friday 7th September:
First departure 0600 (6am)
Last departure 2300 (11pm)
Last departure from Yarmouth 1600 (4pm)

Saturday 8th September:
NO SERVICE

Sunday 9th September:
First departure 1200 (12pm)
Last departure 0200 (2am)

Monday 10th September:
First departure 0600 (6am)
Last departure 1400 (2pm)

There will be Bestival and Big Green Coach staff at each departure location during all hours of operation. You can purchase tickets on the day although we strongly recommend buying in advance to avoid additional waiting times.

RYDE: Coach bays on The Esplanade (end of Ryde Pier), Ryde, PO33 2HB

EAST COWES: Castle Street ,Venture Quays, PO32 6EZ

WEST COWES: Terminus Road, PO31 7TJ

YARMOUTH: Coach bays on Yarmouth Quay (outside of Ferry Port), PO41 0NT

BESTIVAL SITE: All shuttle bsues will drop off and pick up from a dedicated on site coach park situated right next to the festival entrance and signposted from within the festival.

NB: There will be NO dedicated shuttle bus pick up or drop off at Fishbourne car ferry port. All foot passengers are advised not to use the Portsmouth – Fishbourne route when travelling to the Island. Any customers that do arrive via Fishbourne will need to walk to the closest local bus service stop and catch a local bus to Newport or preferably Ryde to meet the dedicated festival shuttle bus service.

We strongly recommend all customers purchase their tickets in advance – this will limit your waiting times on the day.

SHUTTLE BUS TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE SOON – DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Advance purchase shuttle service tickets will be sent out in the form of uniquely barcoded e-tickets – these will be emailed to you in the weeks leading up to the festival – simply print this off and bring it with you to the coach. These tickets are valid for one return or single journey and will be individually barcoded and scanned by one of our staff members as you board the coach.

Return ticket – £10 (valid for one return journey)
Single ticket – £8 (this can be used once in either direction on any day)
(NB. these are 2012 prices, 2013 prices to be confirmed shortly)

Tickets will also be available for purchase on the day from each ferry port and the festival site coach station. However, we strongly recommend you book your seat in advance to reduce your waiting time.

All shuttle service vehicles will drop off and pick up from a dedicated on site coach park situated right next to the festival entrance and signposted from within the festival.

IMPORTANT: There will be no Shuttle Buses operating to or from the Robin Hill entrance again this year. This area will be for Taxis, drop offs/pick ups and Big Green Coach services that have travelled from mainland locations only.

Southern Vectis will operate a shuttle bus between Newport and Bestival every 10 minutes between 0800 and 1900, followed by an hourly service between 1900 & midnight on Friday and Saturday and 1900 & 2300 on Thursday and Sunday. And then on Monday they will operate every 10 minutes between 0700 and 1300.

Southern Vectis buses will also continue to operate their regular island routes, with buses Number 8 and Number 33 additionally entering the Bestival site to drop off / pick up at the Bestival Shuttle Bus Station.

Please check with Southern Vectis before you travel for the latest up-to-date bus times, routes and fares. (NB. Fares for these island buses will be payable on board).

The following existing Southern Vectis night services will be available from Newport and they service most of the major towns on the island:

Number 1 (Newport, St. Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst, Northwood, West Cowes)

Number 3 (Newport, Godshill, Wroxall, Ventnor,Shanklin, Sandown, Ryde)

Number 5 (Newport, Whippingham, Osborne, East Cowes)

Number 7 (Newport, Shalfleet, Cranmore/Wellow, Yarmouth, Freshwater, Totland, Alum Bay)

Number 9 (Newport, Fairlee/Staplers, Wooton, Binstead, Ryde)