A getaway to the Isle of Man is really rather special. Measuring 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, the Island offers swathes of scenic coastline, beautiful beaches, charming villages and stunning countryside, all encapsulated in the world’s only entire jurisdiction UNESCO Biosphere.
Renowned for its laid-back lifestyle and diverse natural landscape, it’s the perfect place to escape the everyday. Surrounded by the Irish Sea and equidistant between England and Ireland, travel is either by ferry or air; here’s our complete guide with all the information you’ll need to plan your journey.
Ferry Travel
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company manages the ferries plying the waters to and from the Island, and you can choose the best location to suit.
Heysham Village, Lancashire to Douglas – up to 12 crossings a week. Duration 3hrs 45 mins
Liverpool to Douglas – up to 12 crossings a week. Duration 2 hrs 45 mins – 4 hrs 15 mins
Belfast to Douglas – operates seasonally, including all major holidays. Duration 2 hrs 45 mins – 4 hrs 45 mins
Dublin to Douglas – operates seasonally. Duration 2 hrs 55 mins
Availability and prices are available here.
Frequently asked questions
Pets
The Manxman ferry has a dedicated pet lounge, pet friendly cabins, outdoor pet toilet area and comfortable kennels. Pets are allowed to stay in your vehicle on the car deck if you prefer.
The Manannan ferry does not have pet friendly areas onboard, however there are comfortable kennels on the car deck which are 600mm x 800mm and 1900mm high (large enough to comfortably hold 2 labradors). Pets are allowed to stay in your vehicle on the car deck.
Bringing a bicycle
With lots of opportunities for cycling on the Island, it’s a great idea to bring your bike on holiday. As long as your bike fits within the overall dimensions of your vehicle there is no additional charge. If your bikes are on the vehicle roof and form part of the measurements, this should be declared when booking.
If you are booking a foot passenger crossing, you can add your bike when you reach the “Extras” section. Please remember to do this for both outbound and inbound journeys. There is an additional charge to take your bicycle.
Onboard Cabins
Manxman has a range of cabins available, giving you space to relax and unwind. Located on deck 8, facilities include internal cabins for 4 guests, executive balcony cabins, sea view cabins, and cabins where your pet can join you for the journey. Whilst it is sometimes possible to book cabins at a later date, it is advisable to reserve these when booking your ticket.
Travelling with children
Anyone under the age of 16 is classed as a child (0 – 3 years inc are classed as infants). Children sail for free on both ferries and passengers aged 16 and older pay adult fares. The vessels offer a wide range of facilities for children. Both the Manxman and Manannan have a Little People’s Play Area, perfect for letting the little ones let off steam, or you can catch up on TV and films with a great selection of food and drink with kid’s meals available.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available on both vessels. Passengers travelling on Manxman receive a limited amount of data for free, and upgrades to certain loungers and cabins include 1GB of complimentary data. Additional high-speed broadband Wi-Fi can be purchased at the shop/information desk.
Dining
Both the Manxman and Manannan offer onboard eateries, cafés and bars with a range of food and drinks available (please note, whilst the bars are open from departure from England and Ireland, due to Isle of Man licensing laws the bars are not available for approximately the first hour of sailing from the Island. The bars on both vessels close an hour before arrival. There are further details here about food and drink.
Shopping
Whether you are looking for gourmet chocolates, luxury perfumes or gifts and souvenirs to take home, both vessels have onboard shops offering a wide range of products.
Outdoor Decks
Both vessels have spacious outdoor deck areas, and you are welcome to sit in the sun on comfy seating and enjoy the panoramic views or stroll around. Keep your eyes peeled, you may even be lucky enough to see dolphins and other wildlife. Caution is advised in strong winds outside.
Flying
The only airport is Ronaldsway Airport Isle of Man Airport located in Ballasalla, close to Castletown in the south of the Island. The airport is home to Café Oasis where you will find views across the airport and the opportunity to have a snack or drink before passing through security. There is also a WH Smiths, perfect for books, magazines, newspapers and travel essentials. Ronaldsway welcomes flights from many airports around the UK along with some international airports too.
Airports operating flights to the Isle of Man
London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London City, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Newquay
Scotland: Edinburgh
Ireland: Dublin, Belfast
Channel Islands: Jersey (seasonal)
Airlines:
EasyJet – Budget-friendly flights from London and Liverpool
Loganair – Connects multiple UK cities
Aer Lingus – Seasonal flights from Dublin
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need
Travellers from the UK or Ireland don’t need a passport to enter the Isle of Man, however most airlines ask for a valid passport or a form of photo ID, so it is advisable to check with your individual airline.
Check in and bag drop off times
Times vary depending on where you are travelling to so check with your individual airline for check in and bag drop times
Information desk
Open from 05.30 until the last flight arrival (subject to availability) the Information Desk Team can sell bus tickets, and Isle of Man Transport Go Cards. They can also process RingGo car parking payments and are happy to help with any questions you may have.
Car Hire
Local car hire companies include Athol Car Hire, and Let’s Hire are located at the airport.
Open daily, Avis Care Hire Ronaldsway offer a wide variety of cars for hire along with other major companies including Europcar, Thrifty and Hertz.
With a comprehensive range of public transport including regular bus services, heritage railways and electric trams, it is possible to enjoy a car-free holiday on the Island. Isle of Man Transport provide a simple and effective way to explore throughout the year and Go Explore Tavel cards are available to purchase before you travel here. Buses run regularly to the airport, and there’s a good network of taxis available too.
