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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]]n, [[Ireland|Irish]], [[Poland|Polish]] and [[Philippines|Filipino]] minorities.
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==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.
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===
Planes land at [[Ballasalla|Ronaldsway Airport]], and from there it's a few kilometres to Douglas by hitchhike or by bus (£2). Do NOT take a taxi (£20).
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.
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]]/[[Onchan]] (east, ferry port and the capital)
*[[Laxey]] (northeast)
{{UK constituent countries}}
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[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Northern Europe]]