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A well-kept secret: SailRail train & ferry fares from any station to Douglas IoM. How to buy tickets... |
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Any station in Britain to Douglas
It's a well-kept secret! You can buy a special SailRail combined train & ferry ticket between any rail station in Britain and Douglas on the Isle of Man, one-way or return in either direction. Take a train to Heysham (north of Blackpool) or Liverpool then sail to Douglas with the famous Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. One ticket covers train & ferry, centre to centre, no airports, no flights. What's the journey like? How to buy tickets.
Ferry schedules to the Isle of
Man
Ferry schedules from the
Isle of Man
Tourist offices,
Isle of Man bus & TT race info
Click here for a route map showing the UK rail network & ferries to the Isle of Man.
Anywhere in Britain ► Isle of Man
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Option 1, by all-weather ship from Heysham
This runs daily from April to October, Monday-Friday from November to March.
Step 1, travel from London to Lancaster by comfortable 125mph Pendolino train, leaving London Euston around 09:30 arriving Lancaster 11:55. Or travel from anywhere else in Britain to Lancaster.
Change at Lancaster for a 'boat train' leaving Lancaster around 12:44, arriving Heysham Port 13:13.
Check times from anywhere in Britain to Heysham Port at tfw.wales or Thetrainline.com, looking for that arrival at Heysham before 13:30. Heysham Port station is right next to the ferry terminal, making this an easier route than via Liverpool.
Step 2, sail from Heysham to the Isle of Man by ferry Manxman, sailing from Heysham Port at 14:15, arriving Douglas Sea Terminal at 18:00.
On some dates, sails at 13:45, arriving 17:30, check times for your date at www.steam-packet.com.
What's the journey like? Douglas Sea Terminal is in central Douglas at the end of the promenade, walking distance from most hotels, see map of Douglas.
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Option 2, by fast ferry from Liverpool
This ferry operates 2-7 days a week, sailing times and frequency vary by time of year.
Step 1, go to www.steam-packet.com and check ferry times for your date.
Step 2, check train times from anywhere in Britain to Liverpool using tfw.wales or Thetrainline.com, looking for a train arriving at Liverpool Lime Street at least 1h30 or ideally 2h before sailing time.
When the ferry sails from Liverpool at 11:15, you can leave London Euston 06:36, Birmingham New Street 07:34, Manchester Piccadilly 08:37, arriving Douglas (Isle of Man) at 14:00. What's the journey like?
When the ferry sails from Liverpool at 19:15, you can leave London Euston 14:43, Birmingham New Street 15:34 or Manchester Piccadilly 16:37, arrive Douglas (Isle of Man) at 22:00. What's the journey like?
On arrival at Liverpool Lime Street, you transfer by taxi or walk (32 minutes, 1.4 miles, see walking map) to the ferry terminal. Alternatively, a bus run by Al's Coaches leaves Lime Street Station for the ferry terminal 2h & 1h20 before the ferry sails, fare £2, pay on the bus.
Isle of Man ► Anywhere in Britain
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Option 1, by all-weather ship to Heysham
This runs daily from April to October, Monday-Friday from November to March.
Step 1, sail from the Isle of Man to Heysham by ferry Manxman, leaving Douglas Sea Terminal at 08:45, arriving Heysham Port 12:30.
On some dates she sails at 08:00 arriving 11:45, check times for your date at www.steam-packet.com.
At Heysham Port, the station is right next to the ferry terminal.
Step 2, travel from Heysham to London or anywhere else in Britain by train.
A connecting 'boat train' leaves Heysham Port station at 13:21 arriving Lancaster 13:49, change at Lancaster for onward trains.
On most days a Pendolino train leaves Lancaster at 14:40, arriving London Euston at 17:12. A train will get you to Birmingham New Street at 16:06 or Manchester Piccadilly at 15:26.
Check train times from Heysham to any destination in Britain at tfw.wales or Thetrainline.com. What's the journey like?
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Option 2, by fast ferry to Liverpool
This ferry operates 2-7 days a week, sailing times and frequency vary by time of year.
Step 1, go to www.steam-packet.com and check ferry times for your date. The ferry operates up to 7 days a week, but sailing times and frequency vary by time of year.
Step 2, check train times at tfw.wales or Thetrainline.com, looking for a train leaving Liverpool Lime Street at least 1h30 after the ferry arrives.
On days when the fast ferry Manannan leaves Douglas at 07:15 arriving Liverpool 10:00, you can leave Liverpool Lime Street at 11:43, arriving London Euston at 14:03. Or you can reach Birmingham New Street at 12:47 or Manchester Piccadilly 12:01.
On days when the fast ferry Manannan leaves Douglas at 15:00 arriving Liverpool 17:45, you can leave Liverpool Lime Street at 19:43, arriving London Euston at 22:05. Or you can reach Birmingham New Street at 21:19 or Manchester Piccadilly 20:11. What's the journey like?
In Liverpool you transfer by taxi or walk (32 minutes, 1.4 miles, see walking map) from the ferry terminal to Lime Street station. Alternatively, a bus run by Al's Coaches leaves the ferry terminal for Lime Street Station once all foot passengers have disembarked, fare £2, pay on the bus.
How much does it cost?
About these SailRail fares
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SailRail fares cover train & ferry, centre-to-centre, no extra cost to get to & from airports, no airport taxes, no baggage fees.
You can buy them in either direction, one-way or return starting on the mainland or starting in Douglas. Check prices at tfw.wales or go to www.steam-packet.com (look for the small Sail and Rail link at the bottom of their home page). You can check these fares (but can't buy tickets) using the online fares database at www.brfares.com.
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One-way = Good for any date, any ferry sailing & any suitable connecting trains on the day it's bought for, no time or train restrictions.
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Economy Return = Good for any day, any date except Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in June, July, August & September.
You must travel outward on the date shown on your ticket, using any ferry you like & any suitable connecting trains. You can return any day within 1 month by any ferry & any suitable trains, except on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in June, July, August & September.
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Low Saver Return = You only pay this fare if your outward or return is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday in June, July, August or September.
Travel out on the date shown on your ticket, return any day within 1 month. Good for any ferry & any connecting trains, any day, any date.
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Children under 16 pay half the adult fare. Children under 5 free. Railcard holders (Senior, disabled, family, 16-25) get around 25-30% off.
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First class fares to the Isle of Man don't exist, but you can buy a cheap first class advance fare between London and either Liverpool or Heysham, and buy a ferry ticket separately at www.steam-packet.com.
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Which trains, ferries & routes can you take?
You can use any ferry from Liverpool or Heysham to Douglas run by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and can take any suitable train to connect with that ferry. You must travel out on the date on your ticket, with a return ticket you can come back any day your ticket is valid up to 1 month after your outward journey. There are no time restrictions and no train reservations are necessary, just hop on any train. If you have multiple connections to make to reach the ferry, I'd recommend playing safe by taking an earlier train than the one suggested by the online system. You can take any permitted route from your starting station to either Liverpool or Heysham. Tickets from stations in zones D & E can be used via London at no extra cost as well as via any more direct route, going via London can often be simpler & quicker. If you want to go via London, click More options and enter London (any station) in the via box. Feel free to go out via Heysham, back via Liverpool or vice versa.
How to buy SailRail tickets
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In theory, you can buy SailRail train & ferry tickets to the isle of Man online at train operator website tfw.wales.
On a good day, this can sell SailRail tickets between Douglas Isle of Man and any station in Britain, one-way or return, in either direction.
Give it a try! Booking usually opens 8-12 weeks ahead.
Tickets must be collected at most mainland railway stations, but they can't be collected on the Isle of Man. If you're on the IoM, book by phone or in person Ferry Travel Shop in the Sea Terminal at Douglas.
If you want to specify a particular route, click More options & enter either Heysham or Liverpool in the 'via' box.
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However, if is shows no journeys this means some train operator marketing staff have been lazy and have forgotten to program the Isle of Man ferry times into the rail industry's ticketing system. That means rail industry websites, telesales staff & ticket office staff can't find any journeys to or from Douglas which in turn means they cannot sell any rail-sail tickets. Although it's just possible that an experienced member of staff in telesales or in a ticket office can get their computer to issue a rail-sail ticket without first having to find journey times.
If running an online enquiry produces no journeys, don't panic! DO NOT assume everything has been discontinued. Either book a rail-sail ticket by phone as shown here or buy separate rail and ferry tickets as shown here.
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You need to make a ferry reservation after buying a rail-sail ticket: Your train & ferry ticket will not include a ferry reservation. You can just turn up at the port and show your train & ferry ticket as there's almost always spaces available, but I recommend calling the IoM Steam Packet Company on 01624 661 661, say you have a SailRail ticket and ask their friendly staff to make you a foot passenger reservation on your chosen ferry departure(s). Tip: Why not book a seat in the ferry's Premium Lounge? You can ask to have a seat in the Premium Lounge added to your ferry reservation for £23 extra each way, with complimentary tea, coffee & soft drinks, table seating with laptop/mobile charging points, and steward service for food from the cafe.
How to buy SailRail tickets by phone
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Call one of these train operator telesales lines: First Trans-Pennine on 0845 678 6974, Avanti West Coast on 0345 528 0253 or Chiltern Railways on 08456 005 165. Any train company can in theory sell these fares, but in practice staff often aren't familiar with them so be polite but persistent, if necessary politely ask for a supervisor (feedback appreciated!). Tickets can be sent to any UK address and addresses on the IOM.
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You can buy in person, from any main railway station, though again staff aren't usually very familiar with this product so be polite but persistent.
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On the Isle of Man, the easiest option is to buy these tickets over the counter in the Ferry Travel Shop in the Sea Terminal at Douglas.
Or buy separate tickets from £48.50
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The SailRail tickets can be the best value for return journeys or for travel at short notice, especially as they are flexible. Assuming you can get hold of one, of course! The price is fixed, you can buy them any time, even on the day of travel. You can use any suitable connecting train, so it's not a problem if the ferry is late and you miss your planned train.
But it can be easier and cheaper to book separate train ticket and ferry ticket. Advance fares from London to Liverpool start at £22 each way and the ferry has advance-purchase Footloose fares from £26.50 each way. That's £48.50 in total between London & Douglas!
Just be aware that Advance fares can't be used on later trains if the ferry is late, so allow plenty of time. I have allowed plenty in the times given above. If you buy an Off-Peak ticket, this gives flexibility.
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Step 1, buy your ferry ticket (and check ferry times) at www.steam-packet.com.
If you book this way your ticket includes a ferry reservation, and you can add premium lounge access, pets or a bike to the ferry booking.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 2, buy your train ticket at any train operator site such as tfw.wales or use www.thetrainline.com.
You usually print your ticket or show it on your phone. Or you collect tickets from the self-service machines at most stations.
Pets & bicycles
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Bicycles
To book a bicycle space on the ferry with your train+ferry ticket call 01624 661 661 - or if buying a separate ferry ticket simply add a bike to your ferry booking. On trains, bikes either go free or for a small charge, call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 to ask.
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Dogs & other pets
Dogs & pets are carried on trains for free. On the ship pets go for around £10 each way in a kennel, £15 in the special pets-and-owners lounge or £65 for a private pet-friendly seaview cabin with shower & toilet. If you have a SailRail ticket you can pay for the dog at the port. If you book your ferry ticket separately at the Steam Packet website, you can add the dog to the booking and select the accommodation you want. On the fast ferry Manannan, dogs must go in kennels for around £10 each way.
What's the journey like?
Step 1, London to Heysham or Liverpool by train
Below, an Avanti West Coast Pendolino train waits to leave London Euston. The train has air-conditioning, power sockets at all seats, free WiFi and a shop selling drinks & snacks. These trains tilt into the corners at up to 125 mph on the curvaceous West Coast main Line.
Step 2, Heysham to the Isle of Man aboard the Manxman
The all-year all-weather Heysham to Douglas route is handled by the Steam Packet Company's flagship, the 24,000 ton Manxman, launched in 2023. The ferry has 3 premium lounges, a cafe, restaurant, kennels, open deck and private cabins including some pet-friendly cabins. Manxman photos courtesy of Marc Warne.
Above, the ferry Manxman at Douglas. You can see how close to the sea front she docks.
Above, the premium Barrule lounge, with free WiFi and refreshments. Some seating is casual, some seats are reclining pullman chairs facing the windows.
Isle of Man ahead! With the sun glittering on the waves, the Isle of Man emerges from its blanket of mist, known as Manannan's Cloak. Manannan is the mythical being that protects the Isle of Man. Douglas is in the gap between the hills, to the right of Douglas the tallest peak with two masts at the summit is Snaefell, 2,036 feet. Taken by the author from the former ship on this route, the Ben-My-Chree.
Approaching Douglas harbour, conveniently located at one end of the sea front.
Or Liverpool to Douglas by fast ferry Manannan
This is the Manannan at Douglas Sea Terminal. In Liverpool, she docks at Liverpool landing stage next to the famous Liver Building, 15-20 minutes walk from Lime Street station or there are taxis waiting on the quayside. See Liverpool map. The Premium Lounge on the Manannan is at one side of the smaller upper deck. Complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits, and at-seat food & drinks service. The Manannan is all non-smoking, even on outside deck areas.
Douglas Sea Terminal
Unlike the airport, the Sea Terminal is in Douglas city centre at the south end of the promenade, a few minutes walk from the main hotels, see map of Douglas showing Sea Terminal. You can buy SailRail tickets from the Steam Packet Company travel shop. The tourist information office is here. Below right, Douglas' Victorian promenade, looking south from the Manx Electric Railway station towards the Sea Terminal.
Tourist information & hotels
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Tourist information: www.visitisleofman.com. There is a large and helpful Tourist Information office in the Sea Terminal.
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Hotels & accommodation in Douglas and other locations on the Isle of Man: See the search system below
Isle of Man TT motorcycle race
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The famous isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) motorcycle race is traditionally held in the last week of May and first week of June each year. It's been a feature of the Manx calendar since 1907. Accommodation and transport can be very hard to come by during that period, and travel can be difficult as roads are closed for the race. The course travels from Douglas to Ramsey and back, over parts of Snaefell. The official Isle of Man TT Race ('Tourist Trophy' motorcycle race) website is www.iomtt.com. Wikipedia entry.
Bus, train & tramway information for the Isle of Man
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For a route map, timetables and operating days, also Isle of Man bus information, see www.iombusandrail.im.
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Ask about 'Island Explorer' tickets which give 1 day or a number of days' unlimited travel on the island's buses, the Manx Electric Railway, the Steam Railway and the Snaefell Mountain Railway.
The Manx Electric Railway
Douglas ► Laxey ► Ramsey
Between March and November, the Manx Electric Railway links Douglas with Laxey & Ramsey. Ramsey is the Isle of Man's second biggest town, Laxey is the stop for the famous Laxey wheel and the mountain railway up Snaefell. The ride on the MER to Ramsey should not be missed, it's a wonderfully scenic ride on a unique tramway, twisting and turning, up and over the hills and along the coast. The Manx Electric Railway runs every 30-60 minutes from mid-morning to late afternoon, taking 30 minutes to Laxey and 1 hour 15 minutes to Ramsey. Timetables and fares are at www.iombusandrail.im. Map showing tram terminus in Douglas.
The Snaefell Mountain Railway
Laxey ► Snaefell Summit
A simple change of tram at Laxey station gets you onto the Snaefell Mountain Railway. An offshoot of the Manx Electric Railway opened in 1899, it links Laxey with the summit of the Isle of Man's one and only true mountain, the 2,036-feet-high Snaefell. It runs April to October, mid-morning to early afternoon, usually every half an hour. On leaving Laxey station, it climbs up the opposite side of the valley to the famous Laxey Wheel, giving great views of the wheel, then curving round the top of the mountain to arrive at the tram terminus and restaurant/tearoom at the summit. You can see the whole island from up there. Highly recommended! Timetables and fares are at www.iombusandrail.im.
The Isle of Man Steam Railway
Douglas ► Port Erin
The delightful Isle of Man Steam Railway links Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin to the south, from March to November with roughly hourly departures mid-morning into the afternoon. Timetables and fares are at www.iombusandrail.im. Map showing steam railway station in Douglas.
Hotels & accommodation
Hotels in Douglas
In Douglas, most of the hotels are arranged along the promenade, a few minutes walk from the sea terminal. The most famous and luxurious hotel in town is the Sefton, the Empress is also a good choice.
