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The '''{{infobox Country|country = of the Isle of Man''' is an island country |in the Irish Sea. It's about 50km long, 10km wide, and has a population of 80000. It's got a green, mountainous landscape - think = United Kingdom|language = English|capital = [[IrelandDouglas]], but smaller|map = <map lat='54. The island is independent from the [[UK]], from Ireland and from the [[EU]] 08' lng='- although at the moment it4.3' zoom='7' view='0's a UK float='crown dependencyright'/>|pop = 80, the Isle of Man has always been independent from any other power. The island has a grand Celtic and Viking history, and a unique cultural heritage. Nowadays, the Island is often called the motorbike capital of the world, with [[TT course000|60km-circuit]] road races and several large festivals (eg. TT festival, currency = Manx Grand Prix) held in the summer.Pound|hitch = <rating country='im' />}}

==Getting onto Hitchhiking is easy on the Island==Isle of Man and you will never wait long for a ride. There is also a good bus service, and a small train service (very slow, as the trains are over a hundred years old). Douglas has a horse-drawn tram line. If all else fails, walk - wherever you're going, it's not far. The island's length can be walked in a day, and the width in 3 hours.

It's almost impossible to hitchhike to and from Anyone granted right of passage in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] or [[Ireland]] has the same right of passage on the Isle of Man - . You will not need a passport to board any of the only way is to crew a private boatferries, or get although a ride in a private plane or helicopterpassport is needed for entry and exit by air.

So it's best to swallow your pride The currency is the Manx pound, fixed at 1:1 with UK currency (pound sterling). Both Manx and buy sterling are accepted on the island, but Manx pounds are not accepted in the UK. You will receive a ticketmixture of currency when on the island. If you need to withdraw only sterling, use the ATM at the Douglas Sea Terminal.

===By ferry===In People living on the summerisland are typically well-travelled (much more than their British relatives) and as a result they are friendly and helpful towards foreign strangers, you can travel twice daily to/from mostly without fear. The population is mostly [[LiverpoolUnited Kingdom|British]] (2½ hours50%) or Manx (45%), with sizeable [[HeyshamSouth Africa]] (3½ hours)n, and twice weekly to/from [[BelfastIreland|Irish]] (3½ hours), [[Poland|Polish]] and [[DublinPhilippines|Filipino]] (4 hours)minorities.__NOTOC__== Hitching In ==It's almost impossible to hitchhike to/from the '''Isle of Man''' - the only ways are to crew a private boat, or hitch a plane or helicopter. Swallow your pride and buy a ticket.=== By ferry ===Ferries dock at the Sea Terminal in the centre of Douglas.

In the wintersummer, you can travel on Fridays and weekends twice daily to/from [[Liverpool]] (2½ hours), daily to/from [[Heysham ]] (3½ hours), and monthly twice weekly to/from [[Belfast ]] (2¾ hours), and [[Dublin. ''NB!''*''in winter, the journey is 4 ]] (3 hours from Liverpool''*''during bad weather (60km/h winds or stronger) ferries are often delayed or even cancelled, this often happens in December or January''*''if you are on a ferry in December or January, then say hi to your last meal''.

One-way foot passenger tickets (In the winter, there are two weekly sailings to/from any destinationLiverpool ([[Birkenhead]]) cost £15, on Saturday and Sunday. Heysham is served 12 times per week. This price can rise however Belfast and Dublin are served during the TT festival (first two weeks of June)holiday periods. ''NB!''* ''in winter, the Manx Grand Prix journey is 4 hours from Liverpool''* ''during bad weather (last week of August60km/h winds or stronger), and ferries can be delayed or even cancelled. This happens often in December or January''* ''if you are on holidays such as a ferry in December 24th-26thor January, Easter Day etc.then say hi to your last meal''

Use One-way foot passenger tickets (to/from any destination) cost £17.50, if booked in advance. The price rises a few days before travel, and the price is automatically high during the TT festival (first two weeks of June), the Manx Grand Prix (last week of August), and on holidays such as December 24th-26th, Easter Day etc. The Manx Steam Packet Company operates all ferry routes - use [http://www.steam-packet.com their website] for ferry all bookings, timetables and moretravel advice.Don't try hitchhiking onto a ferry - only passengers with tickets (on foot or in vehicles) are permitted on board. But the ferries are great places to meet people and arrange onward rides to many destinations.=== By plane ===Planes land at [[Castletown|Ronaldsway Airport]], and from there it's a few kilometres to Douglas by hitchhike or by bus (£2). Do NOT take a taxi (£20).

Don't bother Several airlines operate flights to try hitchhiking - only passengers with /from the Island from airports across the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and [[Ireland]], as well as the [[Channel Islands]], and [[Geneva]]. Plane tickets start at £20 (on foot including taxes) for the close destinations such as [[Liverpool]] or in vehicles) [[Manchester]]. Although they are more expensive, planes are sometimes a better option when travelling longer distances, and they are allowed on usually the ferriesbest option during winter.

===By plane===Several airlines operate See [http://www.iom-airport.com/enquiries/destinations.xml the airport's website] for a list of all flights to/from the Island from airports across the UK and Ireland, as well as the [[Channel Islands]]Isle of Man, and sometimes [[Paris]]. Plane tickets usually start at £30 (including taxes) for links to the close destinations such as Liverpool or [[Manchester]]. Although they are more expensive, planes are sometimes a better option when travelling from long distances (eg. [[London]]), and they are a good option during winterairline websites.

See http://www== Hitching on the Island ==Hitchhiking on the Isle of Man is quick and simple.iom-airportHitchhikers are very rare but not completely unknown, but drivers have no fear in picking you up.com/enquiries/destinationsThe only real crime on the island is money laundering; if there is street crime, it's related to alcohol and other drugs.xml for a list Show that you are clean, and you will get rides out of all flights totowns/from the Isle villages within a couple of Man, and links to the airline websitesminutes.

==Hitchhiking around If a driver isn't going as far as your destination, ask nicely if s/he can make a detour for you. They usually agree. Don't worry if they choose to leave you in the Island==middle of nowhere - the next car will most likely save you. And if that car doesn't pick you up, then the next car will.

IBear in mind the island've never heard s critically high road accident rate. This is for four reasons:* motorbikes rule the roads,* Manx residents can legally drive cars and ride bikes at the age of a hitchhiker on 16,* the Isle island's roads are narrow with many hills and blind corners, and* out of Man before. But it should work well. People here are very trusting (they leave house doors opentowns/villages, car doors unlocked etc) so I don't think there should be any difficulties. But the island is smallno speed limit... really small. it takes 3 hours When you're picked up, your driver may well want to walk show you the width power of the islandvehicle by hurling it down straights, and or by slinging it around corners while straddling the middle of the length can be walked in a full dayroad. You're unlikely to be in All types of drivers will stop for you, so make sure you find a driver's car for more than 30 minuteswith good eyesight.

More info coming soon.Hitchhiking on private boats to [[England]], [[Scotland]] or [[Ireland]] is possible.The main harbours are [[Ramsey]], [[Douglas]], [[Castletown]], [[Port Erin]] and [[Peel]].

== Main towns/villages:==*[[Douglas]]/[[Douglas|Onchan]] (east, ferry port and the capital)*[[Laxey]] (northeast)*[[Ramsey]] (northeast)* [[Kirk Michael]] (northwest)*[[Peel]] (west)* [[Dalby]] (southwest)* [[St. John's (Isle of Man)|St. John's]] (central)*[[Port Erin]]/[[Port St. Mary]] (southwest)*[[Castletown]]/[[Castletown|Ballasalla]] (south, airport)

 {{stubUK constituent countries}}[[Category:Island]][[Category:United Kingdom]][[Category:Northern Europe]]