Difference between revisions of "Isle of Man"
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| − | <map lat='54. | + | <map lat='54.08' lng='-4.3' zoom='7' 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 | + | 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. The island has independence from the [[EU]], as well as from any other country. The island has a grand Celtic and Viking history, and a unique cultural heritage. It calls itself the "motorbike capital of the world", with [[TT course|61km-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. | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
==Hitching In== | ==Hitching In== | ||
| − | It's almost impossible to hitchhike to | + | 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=== | ===By ferry=== | ||
| + | Ferries dock at the Sea Terminal in the centre of Douglas. | ||
| + | |||
In the summer, you can travel twice daily to/from [[Liverpool]] (2½ hours), [[Heysham]] (3½ hours), and twice weekly to/from [[Belfast]] (2¾ hours), and [[Dublin]] (3 hours). | In the summer, you can travel twice daily to/from [[Liverpool]] (2½ hours), [[Heysham]] (3½ hours), and twice weekly to/from [[Belfast]] (2¾ hours), and [[Dublin]] (3 hours). | ||
| − | In the winter, | + | In the winter, there are two weekly sailings to/from Liverpool ([[Birkenhead]]), on Saturday and Sunday. Heysham is served 12 times per week. Belfast and Dublin are served during holiday periods. ''NB!'' |
*''in winter, the journey is 4 hours from Liverpool'' | *''in winter, the journey is 4 hours from Liverpool'' | ||
| − | *''during bad weather (60km/h winds or stronger) ferries | + | *''during bad weather (60km/h winds or stronger) ferries can be delayed or even cancelled. This happens often in December or January'' |
*''if you are on a ferry in December or January, then say hi to your last meal'' | *''if you are on a ferry in December or January, then say hi to your last meal'' | ||
| − | One-way foot passenger tickets (to/from any destination) cost | + | 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 all bookings, timetables and travel 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=== | ===By plane=== | ||
| − | Several airlines operate flights to/from the Island from airports across the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and [[Ireland]], as well as the [[Channel Islands]], and | + | 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 [[Geneva]]. Plane tickets start at £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 longer distances, and they are 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. | ||
| − | + | ==Hitching on the Island== | |
| + | Hitchhiking on the Isle of Man is quick and simple. Hitchhikers are very rare but not completely unknown, but drivers have no fear in picking you up. The only real crime on the island is money laundering; if there is street crime, it's related to alcohol and other drugs. Show that you are clean, and you will get rides out of towns/villages within a couple of minutes. | ||
| − | + | There are no motorways, and there is less than 1km of dual carriageway (next to the airport). Most roads are small country lanes and mountain passes. Stand anywhere on a quiet road out of a town/village with good visibility and a hitchhiking sign, and you'll get good (sometimes instant!) results. | |
| − | |||
==Main towns/villages== | ==Main towns/villages== | ||
Revision as of 21:17, 5 January 2008
<map lat='54.08' lng='-4.3' zoom='7' 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. The island has independence from the EU, as well as from any other country. The island has a grand Celtic and Viking history, and a unique cultural heritage. It calls itself the "motorbike capital of the world", with 61km-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 British (50%) or Manx (45%), with sizeable South African, Irish, Polish and Filipino minorities.
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 summer, you can travel twice daily to/from Liverpool (2½ hours), Heysham (3½ hours), and twice weekly to/from Belfast (2¾ hours), and Dublin (3 hours).
In the winter, there are two weekly sailings to/from Liverpool (Birkenhead), on Saturday and Sunday. Heysham is served 12 times per week. Belfast and Dublin are served during holiday periods. NB!
- in winter, the journey is 4 hours from Liverpool
- during bad weather (60km/h winds or stronger) ferries can be delayed or even cancelled. This happens often 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 (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 their website for all bookings, timetables and travel 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 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 UK and Ireland, as well as the Channel Islands, and Geneva. Plane tickets start at £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 longer distances, and they are usually the best option during winter.
See the airport's website for a list of all flights to/from the Isle of Man, and links to the airline websites.
Hitching on the Island
Hitchhiking on the Isle of Man is quick and simple. Hitchhikers are very rare but not completely unknown, but drivers have no fear in picking you up. The only real crime on the island is money laundering; if there is street crime, it's related to alcohol and other drugs. Show that you are clean, and you will get rides out of towns/villages within a couple of minutes.
There are no motorways, and there is less than 1km of dual carriageway (next to the airport). Most roads are small country lanes and mountain passes. Stand anywhere on a quiet road out of a town/village with good visibility and a hitchhiking sign, and you'll get good (sometimes instant!) results.
Main towns/villages
- Douglas/Onchan (east, ferry port and the capital)
- Laxey (northeast)
- Ramsey (northeast)
- Peel (west)
- Port Erin (southwest)
- Castletown/Ballasalla (south, airport)
Also, try hitchhiking the TT course!
Constituent countries: England • Northern Ireland • Scotland • Wales
Overseas Territories: Anguilla • Bermuda • British Indian Ocean Territory • British Virgin Islands • Cayman Islands • Falkland Islands • Gibraltar
Crown dependencies: Channel Islands • Guernsey • Isle of Man • Jersey
