Getting to Douglas

Most visitors arrive by air at Ronaldsway Airport. There are direct flights from several UK and Irish cities. Alternatively, regular ferries depart from a number of UK and Irish ports, offering scenic and comfortable crossings to the harbour in Douglas.

By car

For those who arrive by air at Ronaldsway Airport near Castletown in the south, rental cars are available at the airport. The airport is located about 10 miles south of Douglas, and a good road leads along the seashore to the islands capital city.
If you arrive by ferry and take your own car with you, the port is in Douglas itself.

By rail

During the summer (March to October), Douglas can be reached by the Manx Electric Railway from Laxey and Ramsey. The IOM Steam Railway offers services during the same period from Port Erin to Douglas. Phone: +44 1624 663 366; website: www.isleofman.com/gettingaround/iomtransport/.

By bus

Regular buses, operated by Manxland Bus Services Ltd., run from all over the island to the capital Douglas. Outside of the town, buses only stop on request. Tickets can be bought on the bus, or discounted travel passes are available at any of the Tourist Information centres around the island. These passes are good for any form of public transport, enabling travellers to use the trains and trams at their leisure. The bus station is situated at Lord Street in Douglas, about 200 metres from the Sea Terminal.

By ferry

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company operates several regular sailings to Douglas from a number of UK and Irish ports. Travel is by regular ferry or faster Seacat ferry.
From Heysham, it takes 4 hours to reach Douglas; while from Liverpool, the crossing can be made by ferry in 4 hours 30 minutes and by Seacat in 2 hours 30 minutes.

From Belfast, the trip takes 2 hours 45 minutes by Seacat, and from Dublin, 4 hours 45 minutes by ferry and 2 hours 45 minutes by Seacat. The Sea Port is located at the end of Douglas Promenade. Some buses stop at the Sea Terminal to connect with arrivals and departures. Services to Dublin and Belfast are seasonal. Check with the ferry operator on: +44 871 222 1 333; or: www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket.

By air

Ronaldsway Airport, 10 miles south of Douglas between Ballasalla and Castletown, has regular direct flights to a number of UK and Irish destinations including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Jersey, Dublin and Belfast. The airport is a modern facility serving more than 700,000 passengers a year. Airlines serving Douglas include Euro Manx, British Northwest, Manx2.Com, Eastern Airways, British Northwest and Aer Arann.

Douglas Airport

Ronaldsway Airport is a small airport operating a single terminal on two levels. Facilities include a restaurant, Skylines Travellers Store, viewing area and a parent and baby room. A cash machine is available inside the terminal building, which dispenses UK sterling banknotes.

The Airport Information Desk is located in the main hall. There is a post box inside the terminal, near the Information Desk. Public telephones can be found throughout the terminal, all of which accept coins, phone cards and credit cards. The airport has facilities for wireless internet access in the Departure Lounge and buffet areas.

Douglas airport transportation

Ronaldsway Airport is located around 10 miles south of Douglas. Taxis are available at the rank which is situated outside the airport terminal and are always on standby to pick up passengers. There are fixed fares for the journey into Douglas and other places on the island.

Buses from Port Erin pass through the airport to Douglas every hour. From Douglas, travellers can transfer at the station for other parts of the island. The airport can also be reached from Douglas by taking the Steam Railway to the station at Ronaldsway. It is a short walk from Ronaldsway Station to the airport, and this route is not recommended for those with heavy baggage.