Isle of Man Information for Travellers
Whether you are travelling to Isle of Man as a tourist or an expatriate employee, there are useful bits of information that will enhance your stay there. These little tips will provide a general platform about what you can expect from the Isle of Man in relation to specific issues.
Climate
The Isle of Man enjoys temperate climate. While there are no rainy seasons on the Isle of Man, there is regular rainfall, mostly in the hill interior of the island. It does not normally snow on the Isle of Man and the weather is perfect for holidaymakers.
With cool summers and mild winters, it is possible to visit the Isle of Man at anytime of the year. It is however recommended that you carry a sweater when visiting the Isle of Man as there can be strong winds around the islands, and the wind chill factor is something not to be underestimated.
Travel to the Isle of Man
It is possible to fly into the Isle of Man and there are several budget airlines available including :
- Aer Arann
- Flybe
- Manx2
- easyJet
- Blue Islands
It is also possible to sail into the Isle of Man via the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. This company operates ferry services from Heysham, Dublin, Belfast and Liverpool. In addition to this, there are Fastcraft services available during the summer months as well.
It is also possible to cruise into the Isle of Man. The most popular option is using the Cunard Ocean Liners although there are many other cruises that also stopover on the Isle of Man. The arrival destination for cruises is on Douglas, the island’s capital.
Population
Comprising about 80,000 people who form the permanent population of the Isle of Man, only about 50 percent of these people are island born. Known as Manxmen and Manxwomen, ethnically the majority of this population is of Norse-Celtic descent.
Christianity is the primary religion with the Church of England as the established church, although there are many other Christian denominations there as well.
Language
The primary language of communication is British English and the mother tongue is known as Manx, which is a combination of Scottish Gaelic and Norse.
When listening to the locals speak English, there may be some difficulty understanding them as there is common use of slang and the intonation is slightly different. It is however very enchanting to listen to the locals converse with each other.
Time Zone
The time zone on the Isle of Man is :
GMT/UTC + 0h during Standard Time; and
GMT/UTC + 1h during Daylight Saving Time.
The Isle of Man utilizes daylight saving time which is also referred to as British summer time. This starts on March 27, 2011 and ends on October 30, 2011.
Currency
The common currency used is the same as the United Kingdom, which is the pound sterling (£) although it does print its own coins and notes that are slightly different in appearance from the United Kingdom currency.
Internet Access on the Isle of Man
This is easily available throughout the island, most commonly at public places such as the library although more and more private entities such as hotels and restaurants are providing free WiFi for their guests.
Electricity
The electrical structures on the Isle of Man use 230 volts at 50 Hertz. If you do not use this in your country of origin, a visit to the Isle of Man will require you to obtain a voltage converter.
The common plugs used are the round two-pin plug and the flat, three-pin plug, although if you have an international plug adapter, this should not be a problem.
Banking Hours & ATM locations
Most banks on the Isle of Man operate from between 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, although there are banks that only start operations at 10.00 am and close at 3.30 pm. Therefore if you are planning to do any banking on the Isle of Man, it is better to check the specific opening and closing times of the branch you want to visit.
ATMs are easily available at a variety of locations throughout the islands.
Post Offices & Postal Rates
The rates that are applicable are the same as UK Royal Mail inland rates. Mail is sent out daily from the island to the United Kingdom and is distributed from there.
There is a proliferation of post offices scattered throughout the island and these are extremely easy to use.
Internet Access on The Isle of Man
As with most other countries in the world, while there is access to broadband facilities on the island, tourists who are interested to gain internet access may do so either through their hotels, or through various computer drop-in centers and internet cafes.
Tourist Information
There are many tourist information centers on the Isle of Man. These include :
| Airport | Tel : 01624 821600 |
| Ballasalla | Tel : 01624 829526 |
| Castletown | Tel : 01624 825005 |
| Laxey Heritage Trust | Tel : 01624 862007 |
| Onchan | Tel : 01624 621228 |
| Peel | Tel : 01624 842341 |
| Port Erin | Tel : 01624 832298 |
| Port St Mary | Tel : 01624 832101 |
| Ramsey | Tel : 01624 810146 |
| Sea Terminal, Douglas | Tel : 01624 686766 |
