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<map lat='54.2242993006290908' lng='-4.3492126464843753' zoom='87' view='0' float='right'/>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 [[Ireland]], but smaller. The island is independent from the [[UK]], from Ireland and has independence from the [[EU]] - although at the moment it's a UK 'crown dependency', the Isle of Man has always been independent as well as from any other powercountry. The island has a grand Celtic and Viking history, and a unique cultural heritage. Nowadays, the Island is often called It calls itself the "motorbike capital of the world", with [[TT course|60km61km-circuit]] road races and several large festivals (eg. TT festival, Manx Grand Prix) held in the summer. Hitchhiking is easy on the 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 width length can be walked in a day, and the width in 3 hours. Anyone granted right of passage in the [[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 ferries, although a passport is needed for entry and exit by air. The currency is the Manx pound, fixed at 1:1 with UK currency (pound sterling). Both Manx and sterling are accepted on the island, but Manx pounds are not accepted in the UK. You will receive a mixture of currency when on the island. If you need to withdraw only sterling, use the ATM at the Douglas Sea Terminal. People living on the island are typically well-travelled (much more than their British relatives) and as a result they are friendly and helpful towards foreign strangers, mostly without fear. The population is mostly [[UK|British]] (50%) or Manx (45%), with sizeable [[South Africa|South African]], [[Irish]], [[Polish]] and [[Philippines|Filipino]] minorities.

It's almost impossible to hitchhike to and /from the '''Isle of Man''' - the only way is ways are to crew a private boat, or get hitch a ride in a private plane or helicopter. So it's best to swallow Swallow your pride and buy a ticket.

In the winter, you can travel on Fridays and weekends there are two weekly sailings to/from Liverpool([[Birkenhead]]), daily to/from on Saturday and Sunday. Heysham and monthly to/from is served 12 times per week. Belfast and Dublinare served during holiday periods. ''NB!''

*''during bad weather (60km/h winds or stronger) ferries are often can be delayed or even cancelled, this . This happens often happens in December or January''

One-way foot passenger tickets (to/from any destination) cost £15£17. This 50, if booked in advance. The price can rise however 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. Use The Manx Steam Packet Company operates all ferry routes - use [http://www.steam-packet.com Steam Packettheir website] for ferry all bookings, timetables and moretravel advice. Don't bother to try hitchhiking onto a ferry - only passengers with tickets (on foot or in vehicles) are allowed permitted on board. But the ferriesare great places to meet people and arrange onward rides to many destinations.

Planes land at [[Ballasalla|Ronaldsway Airport]], and from there it's a few kilometres to Douglas by hitchhike or by bus (£1.30). Do NOT take a taxi (£20). Several airlines operate flights to/from the Island from airports across the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and [[Ireland]], as well as the [[Channel Islands]], and sometimes [[ParisGeneva]]. Plane tickets usually start at £30 £20 (including taxes) for the close destinations such as [[Liverpool]] or [[Manchester]]. Although they are more expensive, planes are sometimes a better option when travelling from long longer distances (eg. [[London]]), and they are a good usually the best option during winter. See [http://www.iom-airport.com/enquiries/destinations.xml the airport's website] for a list of all flights to/from the Isle of Man, and links to the airline 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 this site] 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 the Island==[[User:Tmoon|User Tmon]] never heard of a hitchhiker on the '''Isle of Man''' before. But it should work well. People here There are very trusting (they leave house doors openno motorways, car doors unlocked etc) so I don't think and there should be any difficulties. But is less than 1km of dual carriageway (next to the island is smallairport)... really Most roads are smallcountry lanes and mountain passes. it takes 3 hours to walk the width Stand anywhere on a quiet road out of the islanda town/village with good visibility and a hitchhiking sign, and the length can be walked in a full day. Youyou're unlikely to be in a driver's car for more than 30 minutesll get good (sometimes instant!) results.