Nearest train station is Portsmouth,  from where frequent ferry & hovercraft services run

Portsmouth - Fishbourne

Southampton - Cowes

It is so easy (and cheap!) to go somewhere as different as the Isle of Wight. An hourly train from London Waterloo takes you directly to Portsmouth Harbour (1.5-2 hours), where you can seamlessly walk on to the passenger ferry. Less than half an hour later, the ferry arrives at an old pier in Fishbourne, where an antiquated City & Metropolitan tube train serves as the main train into Ryde, the island’s largest town and the start of your cycling trip. Those who can’t get there quickly enough can take the only scheduled passenger hovercraft service in the world, which plonks you onto the beach by the esplanade in just 10 minutes.

The ferry and hover options cost only £26 and £35 for a return respectively.