A well-kept secret:  SailRail train & ferry fares from any station to Douglas IoM.  How to buy tickets...

Any station in Britain to Douglas

It's a well-kept secret!  You can buy a special SailRail 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   

  How much does it cost?   

  How to buy tickets  

  What's the journey like?

  Hotels & accommodation 

  Tourist offices, Isle of Man bus & TT race info

  Manx Electric Railway 

  Snaefell Mountain Railway   

  Isle of Man Steam Railway

Click here for a route map showing the UK rail network & ferries to the Isle of Man.

Anywhere in Britain ► Isle of Man

• Option 1, by fast ferry from Liverpool, runs Mon, Fri & Sat from April until October...

  Leave London Euston 06:36, Birmingham New Street 07:34 or Manchester Piccadilly 08:37, arrive Douglas (Isle of Man) at 14:00.  Also runs on Thursdays late June to late August.

  Step 1, travel from London to Liverpool by Pendolino train leaving London Euston at 06:36, arriving Liverpool Lime Street at 09:04.

  Or travel from anywhere in Britain to Liverpool Lime Street, you can leave Birmingham New Street 07:34 or Manchester Piccadilly 08:37.

  Check times at www.tfwrail.wales or www.thetrainline.com, looking for an arrival at Liverpool Lime Street before 09:30.

  Transfer by taxi, bus or walk (21 minutes, see walking map) from Liverpool Lime Street to Liverpool landing stage next to the Liver Building, see map of Liverpool.  There are plans to move the location of the ferry terminal so check this when you book, the new ferry terminal is 35 minutes walk from Lime Street station, see walking map.

  Step 2, sail from Liverpool to the Isle of Man by fast ferry Manannan, sailing from Liverpool at 11:15 on most Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays from April to October, also Thursdays in late June, July & August, arriving Douglas Sea Terminal in Douglas town centre at 14:00.

  Check ferry times for your date at www.steam-packet.com.  What's the journey like?

• Option 2, by all-weather ship from Heysham, runs daily all year...

  Leave London Euston 09:30, Birmingham New Street 10:07 or Manchester Piccadilly 10:50, arrive Douglas (Isle of Man) 18:00.

  Step 1, travel from London to Lancaster by comfortable 125mph Pendolino train, leaving London Euston around 09:30 every day arriving Lancaster at 11:55.  Or travel from anywhere else in Britain to Lancaster.

  Change at Lancaster for a special 'boat train' leaving Lancaster around 12:44, arriving Heysham Port around 13:13.

  Check times from anywhere in Britain to Heysham Port at www.tfwrail.wales or www.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 Ben my Chree, sailing from Heysham Port at 14:15, arriving Douglas Sea Terminal 18:00.

  This all-weather ship sails daily all year round, check times for your date at www.steam-packet.com.  What's the journey like?  Douglas Sea Terminal is in central Douglas at one end of the promenade, walking distance from all the hotels, see map of Douglas. 

• Option 3, by fast ferry from Liverpool, runs daily from from April to October...

  Leave London Euston 14:43, Birmingham New Street 15:34 or Manchester Piccadilly 16:37, arrive Douglas at 22:00. 

  Step 1, travel from London to Liverpool by Pendolino train leaving London Euston at 14:43 & arriving Liverpool Lime Street station 17:04, or travel from anywhere in Britain to Liverpool Lime Street arriving before 17:30.  Check train times at www.tfwrail.wales or www.thetrainline.com.

  Transfer by taxi, bus or walk (21 minutes, see walking map) from Liverpool Lime Street to Liverpool landing stage next to the Liver Building, see map of Liverpool.  There are plans to move the location of the ferry terminal so check this when you book, the new ferry terminal is 35 minutes walk from Lime Street station, see walking map.

  Step 2, sail from Liverpool to the Isle of Man by fast ferry Manannan, sailing from Liverpool at 19:15 on most dates from April until October, arriving Douglas Sea Terminal at 22:00.

  Check ferry times for your date of travel at www.steam-packet.com.  What's the journey like?

Isle of Man ► Anywhere in Britain

• Option 1, leaving Douglas 07:15 by fast ferry, runs Mon, Fri & Sat April-October, also Thursdays in July & August...

  Step 1, sail from the Isle of Man to Liverpool by fast ferry Manannan, leaving Douglas Sea Terminal at 07:15 on most Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays from April to October, also Thursdays in late June, July & August, arriving Liverpool landing stage at 10:00.

  Transfer by taxi, bus or walk (21 minutes, see walking map) from Liverpool landing stage to Liverpool Lime Street station, see map of Liverpool.  There are plans to move the location of the ferry terminal so check this when you book, the new ferry terminal is 35 minutes walk from Lime Street station, see walking map.

  Step 2, travel from Liverpool to London by Pendolino train, leaving Liverpool Lime Street at 11:43, arriving London Euston at 14:03.

  Or travel from Liverpool Lime Street to anywhere else in Britain, you can get to Birmingham New Street at 12:47 or Manchester Piccadilly 12:01.

  Times may vary, especially on Sundays, so check train times for your date at www.tfwrail.wales or www.thetrainline.com looking for any departure from Liverpool Lime Street after 11:30.  What's the journey like?

• Option 2, leaving Douglas 08:45 by all-weather ship, runs daily all year round...

  Step 1, sail from the Isle of Man to Heysham by all-weather conventional ferry Ben My Chree , leaving Douglas Sea Terminal in Douglas' town centre at 08:45 daily all year round, arriving Heysham Port at 12:30.  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 www.tfwrail.wales or www.thetrainline.com.  What's the journey like?

• Option 3, leaving Douglas 15:00 by fast ferry, runs daily from April until October...

  Step 1, sail from the Isle of Man to Liverpool by fast ferry Manannan, leaving Douglas Sea Terminal at 15:00 on most dates from April until October, arriving Liverpool 17:45.

  Transfer by taxi, bus or walk (21 minutes, see walking map) from Liverpool landing stage to Liverpool Lime Street station, see map of Liverpool.  There are plans to move the location of the ferry terminal so check this when you book, the new ferry terminal is 35 minutes walk from Lime Street station, see walking map.

  Step 2, travel from Liverpool to London by Pendolino train, leaving Liverpool Lime Street at 19:43, arriving London Euston at 22:05.

  Or travel from Liverpool Lime Street to anywhere else in Britain, you can get to Birmingham New Street at 21:19 or Manchester Piccadilly 20:11.

  Times may vary, especially on Sundays, so check train times for your date at www.tfwrail.wales or www.thetrainline.com looking for any departure from Liverpool Lime Street after about 19:15.  What's the journey like?

How much does it cost?

About these SailRail fares

• These SailRail fares cover train & ferry.  They're centre-to-centre, no extra cost getting 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 www.tfwrail.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 also check these fares (but can't buy tickets) using the online fares database at www.brfares.com.

• One-way = Good for any day, any date.  The ticket can be used on any ferry sailing you like & any suitable connecting trains on the date shown on your ticket.  No time or train restrictions.

• 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.

• Low Saver Return = You only need this fare if your outward or return journey is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday in June, July, August & September.  You must travel outward on the date shown on your ticket, return any day within 1 month.  Valid on any ferry you like and any suitable connecting trains, any day, any date.

• Children under 16 pay half the adult fare.  Children under 5 free.   Railcard holders (Senior, disabled, family, 16-25) get around 25-30% off.

• 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.

• 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

• In theory, you can buy SailRail train & ferry tickets to the isle of Man online at train operator website www.tfwrail.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.

• 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.

• 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 £18 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

• Call the following train company 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 easily sell these fares, but in practice staff often aren't very familiar with them so be polite but persistent and if necessary politely ask for the supervisor (feedback would be appreciated!).  Tickets can be sent to any UK address and addresses on the IOM.

• 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.

• 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.

How to buy separate tickets: London to the Isle of Man from £40!

• The SailRail tickets can be the best value for return journeys or for travel at short notice, especially considering their flexibility.  If you can get hold of one, of course!  The price is fixed, so you can buy them at any time, even on the day of travel.  And as you can use any suitable connecting train, 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 just £17 each way and the ferry has advance-purchase Footloose fares from £23 each way.  That's £40 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 of course, this gives flexibility.

• 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.

• Step 2, buy your train ticket at any train operator site such as www.tfwrail.wales or use www.thetrainline.com.

  You usually print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  Or you collect hard-copy tickets from the self-service machines located at most National Rail stations.

Pets & bicycles

• 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.

• Dogs & other pets are carried on trains for free.  On the ship Ben My Chree 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?

London to Liverpool or Heysham by train...  This is a Avanti West Coast 125 mph Pendolino train boarding at London Euston.  The trains have air-conditioning, WiFi (free in 1st class, charged in 2nd class), and a shop selling newspapers, drinks and snacks.  These trains tilt into the corners at high speed on the curvaceous West Coast main Line...

Heysham to Douglas aboard the ferry Ben My Chree...  This is the Ben My Chree arrived at 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 all the main hotels, see map.		More relaxing than flying...  The ferry Ben My Chree is small but perfectly formed.  It has a self service food lounge (above), cafe-bar, shop, and open decks. WiFi is available for a small fee.  Smoking is permitted on deck.

Premium Lounge:  A top tip when phoning to make your ferry reservation is to pay for a reserved seat in the Premium Lounge (above).  Leather seats, complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits, and the steward will bring you drinks from the bar or food from the restaurant on request.  The Ben My Chree's Premium Lounge is at the front of the ship directly below the bridge, giving excellent forward views of the Isle of Man approaching...		Isle of Man ahead!  With the sun glittering on the waves, the Isle of Man emerges from its blanket of mist.  This mist is known as Manannan's Cloak, Manannan is the mythical being that protects the Isle of Man.  There's a diagram on the top deck identifying the hills you can see.  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.

Or Liverpool to Douglas on the fast ferry Manannan, seen here 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 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.  You can buy SailRail tickets from the Steam Packet Company travel shop.  The tourist information office is here.		Douglas' Victorian promenade, looking south from the Manx Electric Railway station towards the Sea Terminal.  Map of Douglas showing Sea Terminal.

Tourist information & hotels

• Tourist information:  www.visitisleofman.com.  There is a large and helpful Tourist Information office in the Sea Terminal.

• Hotels & accommodation in Douglas and other locations on the Isle of Man:  See the search system below

Isle of Man TT motorcycle race

• 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

• For a route map, timetables and operating days, also Isle of Man bus information, see www.iombusandrail.im. 

• 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.

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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.info.  Map showing tram terminus in Douglas.

A Manx Electric Railway tram at Douglas (Derby Castle) terminus, at the north end of Douglas' 2-mile-long promenade.  There's a small ticket office, and a pub next to the terminus if you need refreshment.		Each tram has one enclosed car and one open-sided car.  The narrow-gauge two-track electric railway twists and turns, climbing steeply out of Douglas alongside the road, the sea visible over the cliffs.

At Laxey station, you can change for the Snaefell Mountain Railway.  The connecting tram to Snaefell summit is seen here on the left.  The station has a welcome tearoom.		The famous Laxey Wheel is the world's largest working waterwheel, and a Manx icon.  It's a 10-15 minute walk up the valley from Laxey station.

On its way to Ramsey the railway passes through some of the Isle of Man's most beautiful scenery.  The line was opened to Laxey in 1893, and to Ramsey in 1899.		This is tram 6 at Ramsey.  All the trams are original, the oldest dating from 1893, the newest dating from 1906.  The trams run round their trailer car at each terminus.

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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.info.

At Snaefell summit, 2,036 feet above sea level.  Time for a cup of tea...		The view from the summit, looking towards Laxey.  The Laxey Wheel is just visible to the naked eye.

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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.info.  Map showing steam railway station in Douglas.

The Steam Railway station is at the south end of town, just inland from the Sea Terminal.  Old maps displayed in the booking hall-cum-tea-room show how the steam rail network once reached Peel & even Ramsey.		The Isle of Man Steam Railway is a wonderful way to travel between Douglas and Castletown and the sleepy seaside town of Port Erin.  You'll see coastline and green scenery from the train.

A steam train at Port Erin station.		Port Erin.  The beach is 2 minutes from the station.

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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.

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