Ferry to Isle of Man

Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is small enough to cross in an hour and is best explored on its heritage railways. The Manx Electric Railway, which opened in stages from 1893, still runs Victorian carriages along the coast, and from Laxey the Snaefell Mountain Railway climbs to the summit of the island's highest peak. At Laxey, the Great Laxey Wheel, built in 1854 and nicknamed Lady Isabella, is the largest working waterwheel in the world, about 22 metres across. The whole island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and local custom says you should greet the fairies when you cross the Fairy Bridge.

The ferry port at Isle of Man

Where the ferries arrive: Douglas is the Isle of Man's only ferry port. The Sea Terminal is on the harbour front, Douglas IM1 2RF.

Check-in: Check-in opens about 1 hour 30 minutes before sailing. The last check-in is 45 minutes before departure for cars and 25 minutes before for foot passengers.

In Douglas: The bus station is about 400 metres from the Sea Terminal, on Lord Street, and there is a taxi rank at the front of the terminal. Short-stay and long-stay pay-and-display parking is available around the terminal.

On the English side: Steam Packet sails from Heysham (South Quay, LA3 2XE) all year, and from Liverpool (Isle of Man Ferry Terminal, 1 Triskelion Way, L3 0BN) on a seasonal timetable, with weekend sailings in winter. The crossing from Liverpool takes about 2 hours 45 minutes.