2014 Isle of Man

[nikolees]

I'd like to visit the island this year. Haven't done any preparations at all and I didn't even googled it yet (but going to).

The facts:

- I'm staying in Bolton.

- Don't have any means of transport.

- Haven't booked anything.

- When I go and for how long depends on costs.

- I'd like to see some practice and a race or two.

- We're 2 people, my wife and I.

The questions:

- Do I book a ferry ticket? Where from?

- What are the stay options?

- Do I have to buy a ticket or do I seat wherever I want (except for the stands)?

- How will I move there? I know there is a bus, right? Do you know any costs for it?

- Is it possible to rent a bike+gear there? Is it worth it?

- Is anyone else going as well? Is he/she willing to share costs?

- Any usefull advice is welcome.

[Chrissb6]

Hi and welcome, l hate to disappoint you but l think you have literally missed the boat! The ferry crossings would have all been snapped up by now, you can check here.

http://www.steam-packet.com/

The ferry crossings to the IOM is nothing short of a scandal, you can get to Ireland cheaper sailing straight by the place.

If you really want to go you need to be making bookings January to stand any chance of a sailing.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Chrissb6

[Zipster]

Forget it. Travel a month before the TT and the crossing is about £80 for bike and rider. For the week or two before and after it's over £300 for the same. As Chris says they're probably all booked out by now anyway!!

[Bonniebird]

The TT may be out for this year but there other bike-related things in the IoM. e.g. the Manx Grand-Prix in August which probably won't be as mad as the TT and the Southern 100 in June. There's also a motorcycle museum half-way up the mountain and some fantastic roads. I've been over there a couple of times by plane but I'd like to take the bike sometime, both for a TT and a non-TT trip.

[Bonniebird]

You can fly to the IoM if not on a bike and there's loads of public transport (buses, steam trains, mountain railway, horse trams etc...) so getting about is easy.

Suspect all the accomodation is booked though - the price of this at least doubles during the TT as well.

[bex]

do you have a tent and are willing to live in it? if so dont listent o the doom and gloomers.

get booking on 'the steam packet' yes its not cheap but...heres the trick...book two or three days before practice starts and travel back two or three days after it finishes, it cuts cost considerably, if you can afford the time off. its worth it. if i can get over there for the centeenary and book in april time for it i am sure you can manage it now. i have never booked for there in Januaray.

as for camping, sully has a free campsite but you do have to move off afte 14 days and it is basic, kirk michael has a lovely campsite that i go to and they have lots of room. you can find it on the map, its opposite the school.

its an experience people should have, if cost is to much or time off then look to going to the manx gp later on in the year, i personally prefer this as its not so full of cock sure twits.

[Bonniebird]

Friend of mine and his mates sometimes hire a house out there so there's always the possibility of finding a share.

They've camped before too but the IoM can be a bit soggy if you are unlucky.

I think the Guest House owners and a lot of the businesses in the Isle of Man make more money during the TT (seaside holidays have lost out a lot to cheap package holidays in the sun) than the rest of the year put together so you can't really blame them. The TT is unique and if you want to experience it then you accept that it has a price.

[nikolees]

....................its an experience people should have, if cost is to much or time off then look to going to the manx gp later on in the year, i personally prefer this as its not so full of cock sure twits.

 

Definitely can't afford staying there for 3 weeks

Is it even worth it going for 1 day and watchind either practice or practice+races???

[nikolees]

..... if you want to experience it then you accept that it has a price.

 

Nicely said.

To be honest I'd expect men to be more emotional and women more rational, but I get the opposite feeling inside this forum.

[bex]

....................its an experience people should have, if cost is to much or time off then look to going to the manx gp later on in the year, i personally prefer this as its not so full of cock sure twits.

 

Definitely can't afford staying there for 3 weeks

Is it even worth it going for 1 day and watchind either practice or practice+races???

 

this is why i suggest the manx at the end but tbh i went to the TT centenary and for the three weeks, including a new back tyre i spent around £700 in total, and i paid for camping, where as sulby is free. so it all depends on your spending habbits, mine went on alot of petrol.