Floating between Ireland and England, the Isle of Man offers up striking landscapes, scenic drives and more than 100,000 years of history. Hopping on a ferry is the easiest and most affordable way to get there.
A ferry crossing from to Douglas, Isle of Man (Photo: The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company)
The Isle of Man packs a lot into its 221 square miles. Now a Unesco-designated biosphere reserve, the pint-sized island is brimming with lush valleys, rugged coastlines and ancient history. Cyclists and hikers hotfoot here in spring, while May and June see more than 50,000 punters arrive for the world-famous Tourist Trophy (TT) motorbike racing season. Planning a trip to this bucolic island? The Steam Packet Company operates ferries from Heysham and Liverpool to the Isle of Man, with options to travel both as a foot passenger and with a car. To help you decide which route to take, we’ve compared the two options below.
Heysham to the Isle of Man
The Heysham — Douglas ferry route connects northwest England with the Isle of Man. The route is served by the Ben-My-Chree, a conventional ferry with sailing durations of around 3 hours and 45 minutes. This service departs for the Isle of Man three times per day. The Ben-My-Chree offers 4 berth en-suite cabins with televisions and complimentary tea and coffee. At Heysham port, passengers can wait to sail in the comfortable waiting lounge, restaurant and children’s play area. From £26 per person.
Liverpool to the Isle of Man
The Liverpool to the Isle of Man ferry route is served 11 times per day by the Manannan, Steam Packet’s most recent addition to the fleet. The new ‘fastcraft’ offers spacious seating areas, two cinema lounges, and a large cafe bar area to help you travel in comfort on the 2-hour 45-minute journey. The vessel can accommodate up to 200 vehicles. Upgrade to a club experience for access to the skylounge on the upper deck and spot the Manannan slice through the waves of the Irish Sea. From £26 per person.