Your #1 Ferry travel and route comparison guide. In-depth guides and maps for 804 ferry routes in 70 countries.

Ferry to Isle of Man

How to get to the Isle of Man by ferry

Liverpool-Douglas

UK ⇔ Isle of Man
2h 30 mins.
Up to 3 times per day
From: 42,00

Heysham-Douglas

UK ⇔ Isle of Man
3h 30 mins.
Up to 2 times per day
From: 42,00

Belfast-Douglas

UK ⇔ Isle of Man
2h 45 mins.
Up to 2 times per week
From: 23,00

Dublin-Douglas

Ireland ⇔ Isle of Man
2h 54 mins.
Once per week
From: 23,00

Ferries to the Isle of Man

If you want to travel to the Isle of Man by ferry, there is not much to choose from. As you can see from the logos on this page, all crossings are operated by Steam Packet Company.

The only choice you have is from which port you depart. Departures are available from Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool and Heysham.

Have a look at the map below to see the ferry crossings to the Isle of Man.

You may also like:

Map with crossings to the Isle of Man

All ferries arrive in Douglas. This main city of the island is located in the southwest. 

Travellers from Northern Ireland can start their ferry journey from Belfast. Dublin is a logical departure port from Ireland. It may pay off to take the time to compare sailings from these ports. This certainly applies if you travel with a car or camper because that is usually a lot more expensive than if you go as a foot passenger. Choosing a ferry that departs at a quiet time can turn out to be considerably cheaper.

From the UK, you have also two crossings to the Isle of Man. Departure is possible from Heysham (near Lancaster) or Liverpool. Again, it can be smart to consider both and choose the cheapest.

Timetable, availability, and compare prices

Thanks to our user-friendly online booking module, planning your ferry journey to the Isle of man has never been easier. It streamlines the process of finding and reserving your desired ferry trip. Just enter your departure port, desired destination, and travel dates, and the system will generate a list of optimal routes for you to choose from. Select the ferry option which best suits your preferences and budget, and embark on a fantastic voyage. Bon voyage!

Travel tip: Book early

The prices for the ferries rise sharply as the boats fill up. Especially during peak season, the ferries and parking decks fill up quickly. Therefore, book far in advance and avoid high costs.

Ferries from England to the Isle of Man

If you depart from the UK, you can choose the crossings Heysham-Douglas and Liverpool-Douglas. The latter is the fastest.

The prices for the ferry from the UK to the Isle of Man are usually pretty much the same. The starting prices are reasonable, but travelling with a car on the boat during the high season quickly becomes very expensive.

1 brittany ferries
From: 42,00
Read full review
2 brittany ferries
From: 42,00
Read full review

About the Isle of Man

Douglas Bay ferry terminal Isle of Man

Douglas Bay ferry terminal Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown dependency also known as Mann. The Island is perhaps most famous for its motorcycle race across the island. Every year many motorcyclists take the ferry to enjoy this infamous Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.

When the motorcycling event is over, peace returns to the island that is normally known as rural and quiet. But not everyone apparently appreciates that. 

The island was struggling with declining tourist numbers. Compared to, for example, the Isle of Wight, the island is relatively unpopular… Which in itself can be a good reason to explore the Isle of Man! [1]Our Island, Our Future, www.tynwald.org.im

If you appreciate the outdoors and tranquillity then the Isle of Man might just be for you. And with the ferry, you can travel there quite easily. This is also a lot more environmentally friendly than flying and fits in with the Isle of Man's goal to become a leading British ecotourism destination.

Fun fact: Steam Packet ferry Company is the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world and was founded in 1830.[2]Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, wikipedia.org

Do you want to know what to expect when you travel by ferry to the Isle of Man? check out this 1 minute video from Steam Packet ferry Company.

Frequently Asked Questions: ferry to Isle of Man

All four ferry crossings are operated by Steam Packet Company. This company is owned by the Isle of man government.

All routes are sailed by two ships. These are the fast ferry and the normal ferry. The shortest crossings take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The longer crossings take 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.

Prices vary quite a bit. You can board from (Northern) Ireland as a foot passenger for around £20. If you are traveling with two people and a car, this is possible from £40. You will sail at night at an unfavorable time. Daytime sailings are pricey. Amounts can then be as high as £286.50.

Ferry talk: Share your questions and opinions

Ask, answer, and explore ferry routes with the community's expertise!

1 Comment
  1. Hello,
    I would like to know why it seems impossible on the website to book a ferry from Isle of Man to Liverpool between May 17 and June 22 (only the dates before May 17 and after June 22 are available).
    Thanks in advance, best regards.

    Leave a reply

    References
    References
    1Our Island, Our Future, www.tynwald.org.im
    2Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, wikipedia.org
    FerryGoGo.com
    Logo