World Country Guide

Travel - International

Air
British Airways (BA) (website: www.britishairways.com) operates year-round services between the Isle of Man and London Heathrow, Belfast, Birmingham, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, Luton and Manchester. Euromanx (www.euromanx.com), Flybe (BE) (www.flybe.com)and Fly Keenair Shuttle Services (website: www.flykeen.co.uk) also operate services to the Isle of Man.

International airports
The island’s airport is Ronaldsway (IOM), 16km (10 miles) from Douglas. Airport information: tel: (01624) 821 600. Facilities include restaurant, buffet, bar, general shop and newsagents, duty free shop and facilities for the disabled. Airport opening times: Mon-Sat 0615-2045, Sun 0700-2045. A local bus operates approximately half-hourly until 1900 and then hourly for the rest of the evening. Taxis and car hire are also available. Car hire includes Athol Car Hire, Hertz and Mylchreests Car Hire. It is 16km (10 miles) to Douglas by private car. There is one contracted and one public car park.

Departure tax
None.

Sea
Ports include Castletown, Douglas, Peel and Ramsey. Sailings are run by the Isle of Man Steam Packet and Seacat Company daily from Douglas to Heysham, Belfast, Dublin and Liverpool, although crossings to Belfast are not scheduled in the winter months. Sea cat routes are from Belfast to Heysham or Troon (tel: (08705) 523 523; e:mail: Belfast.Reservations@seacontainers.com; website: www.steam-packet.com).

Rail
Horse trams run along the 3km (2 miles) of the Douglas Promenade during the summer. The Steam Railway operates from Douglas to Port Erin and the Manx Electric Railway runs from Douglas to Ramsey. Other services include the unique Snaefall Mountain Railway, which runs to the summit of Snaefall mountain, and the Groundle Glen Railway (a narrow gauge system), which provides a limited service along a scenic track near Douglas in the summer months.

Road
The island is served by Isle of Man National Transport buses throughout the year. There are also a number of coach operators who operate full- and half-day excursions. Private taxis operate all year round and there are a number of car hire firms. Bicycles are available for hire in the summer months. Regulations: Traffic drives on the left. There is no maximum speed limit except in built-up areas. Documentation: Full UK driving licence is acceptable.