Isle of Man

1128 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Destination

Date of travel

August, 2018

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Family including children under 16

Reasons for trip

You don’t really need a car to get around the island (unless you want to get to really out of the way places like Lonan old church or The Ayres). This is integrated transport that really works.

The bus service between the main towns runs every 20-30 minutes from early morning to late evening and that includes Sundays… Buses are modern and time keeping is good, although buses may be 20 minutes late into Douglas in the morning rush hour just before 9am. Fares are also very cheap. On the main routes they have a screen announcing the next stop – useful for visitors and altering them where they need to get off. The drivers are helpful and make sure you get off at the correct spot and will often make an unscheduled stop to make sure you are as close to your destination as possible.

Buses also stop outside the main entrance of Ronaldsway airport, so you don’t need to worry about a taxi.

Then there is the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, horse trams and the Snaefell Mountain Railway (oh and don’t forget the Groudle Glen Railway.)

Go Explore cards are available for visitors which give free transport on all of the above and are excellent value. You can buy them on line before you arrive or they can be purchased at the Welcome Centre in Douglas Sea Terminal, the airport information desk, main stations and the House of Manannan in Peel. The cards are validated on the first day of travel and then valid for the relevant number of subsequent days. The card costs £2 but don’t throw it away as it can be topped up and used for subsequent visits.

A one day Go Explore paper ticket can be purchased on boarding buses, trains and trams with no card fee.

There is also a Go Explore Heritage card that is valid for five days and gives free admission to all “Manx National Heritage sites”:https://manxnationalheritage.im/visit/our-sites/ as well as unlimited travel.

“Go Explore website”:https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/bus-and-rail/go-cards/go-explore/

ESW

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.