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Original poster

Isle of Man TT Race 2025

15 replies

crazypiglady · 20/12/2024 08:01

Not sure where to post this so trying here! Husband has always wanted to go to watch & id like to surprise him with a weekend away for his birthday. I know nothing the races & have never been to the Isle of Man, we’d be travelling from North Wales. Can anyone give me any hints or tips if they’ve been before? Tickets? Accommodation? Getting to and around the island?

OP posts:

Damnloginpopup · 20/12/2024 08:18

Go from Liverpool, the ferry is quicker. There's a campsite set up at Douglas Rugby Club- food and drink decent price, lots of people. It's 1.5mile to Douglas and the ferry, Tesco etc, 1.5 mile to the fan park, paddock, grandstand. The bikes blast down Bray hill, turn at the corner of the site at quarter bridge and shoot off to Braddan Bridge at the other end of the site. Beautifully situated.

You don't need tickets, you can watch for free pretty much anywhere a d the fan park is free to enter. You see riders wandering freely too.

You can self camp there or book with IntentsGP on their site where the tents are set up for you.

https://www.intentsgp.com/glamping-isle-of-man-tt/

There's guesthouses etc too of course.

The people are wonderful, very welcoming!

Snackpocket · 20/12/2024 08:24

We’ve used a company called Pole Position to go to MotoGP abroad and they also do the TT. I think that often sells out early but worth looking and they organise the tickets and accommodation so you’d only need to get yourself there.

Bjorkdidit · 20/12/2024 08:42

I've been to the Isle of Man a lot but never during the TT. I'd be surprised if you haven't missed the boat (pun intended) for 2025. It's incredibly popular and I get the impression you have to book a year in advance to get much at any price as demand far outstrips supply. It will also be very expensive for whatever you get especially at this late stage.

There's also the Manx GP in late August that's not as high profile and could be a better experience unless you like crowds and being fleeced. You'll get more choice of accommodation and better value for money too and there will be still loads of bikers riding around if that's what he's interested in.

Your options are ferry from Liverpool or Heysham on Steampacket - there's only one ferry company.

Or you could fly from Liverpool, which would be my choice as Logan Air fly over about 4 times each day - Easyjet do some flights from Liverpool too. You can then hire a car from the airport or use the buses, although it's useful to have a car if you want to drive over the mountain and see some of the more remote countryside areas.

Or if you'd be happier pottering around Douglas and perhaps getting the train to the top of the mountain (a good day trip is the steam train from the south of the Island to Douglas then a horse drawn tram along the seafront, the electric railway a bit further then the mountain railway up to the top of the mountain and back again) then you'd be fine without a car. You can also get the bus to places like Peel, which has a castle, beach etc so nice for a trip out.

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General sports

wellingtonsandwaffles · 20/12/2024 09:55

The island is easy to drive / ride around - about 40 mins from any point. Some public transport but quite spaced apart. No speed limits but every year there are injuries from people coming over on their bikes and not being used to the roads which are very steep in places (be wary of Google trying to take you on footpaths - follow signs first!) The main roads close on race days but there's always a longer way around.

Get the boat from Liverpool but book early as it's the busiest time for the island.

I like Port Erin for the beach and Peel for Fenella and chips / ice cream. Riding down to the Sound is also popular for bikes. Theres a lovely cafe and you can watch the seals. There are lots of fun community events put on too like beach festivals.

There's loads of good places you can watch for free - by churches and off fields and corners of roads - take a blanket and a camp chair if you'll stay a while, and change for the various snack stalls. Be aware there's often waiting around as the slightest bit of damp weather and it's delayed.

Knockaloe beg farm is a lovely little self catering spot. Lots of people camp though.

Damnloginpopup · 20/12/2024 10:29

The speed limits are VERY strictly enforced. It's only in the mountains where there are no limits. In fact, all laws are strictly enforced, especially things like crossing the roads when the race is on.

JurassicPark4Eva · 20/12/2024 10:35

Have a look at Rail and Sail - cheapest way to get there! https://www.steam-packet.com/ferry/booking-options/sail-and-rail

Sail and rail

https://www.steam-packet.com/ferry/booking-options/sail-and-rail

Original poster

crazypiglady · 21/12/2024 08:05

Wow thank you so much this is really helpful, so I don’t need to buy tickets and it sounds like I need to be near this fan park, is that like a central meeting point? I’m picturing like at a festival with food, loos etc?

OP posts:

Original poster

crazypiglady · 21/12/2024 08:11

Oh and when is a good time to go? Looking at the schedule there seems to be lots of qualifying days & races days at the weekend? We can only do 2 nights max, when is best to go?

OP posts:

JurassicPark4Eva · 21/12/2024 08:34

2 nights will be difficult only for the ferry - it books up....

Are you looking at camping?

Bjorkdidit · 21/12/2024 08:45

crazypiglady · 21/12/2024 08:11

Oh and when is a good time to go? Looking at the schedule there seems to be lots of qualifying days & races days at the weekend? We can only do 2 nights max, when is best to go?

Is there a particular part of the TT he's interested in? Certain races or just being there to see the bikes and soak up the atmosphere?

Are you wanting to take a car or go as foot passengers? Have you considered flying?

But I still stand by my previous post in saying that unfortunately you might be too late to be looking at going to the TT in May 2025, unless perhaps you're happy to just see a midweek practice or are wanting to throw a huge sum of money at a package as accommodation and transport is usually mostly booked up a year or more in advance.

Bjorkdidit · 21/12/2024 08:52

Just looked on Logan Air and there are flights still available from Liverpool, you're looking at about £150 pp return for a 20 minute flight.

Original poster

crazypiglady · 25/12/2024 19:11

Ah thank you for all the tips! To be honest I think he just wants to go to see a few bikes fly past & take in the atmosphere. I was hoping to Airbnb?! Something like that? We don’t have any camping gear. Are the practices good to watch?

OP posts:

Damnloginpopup · 25/12/2024 21:59

Yeah. Very! I was there for a month this year, straddling the TT. I'm not even into Motorsport and I totally got it! It's thoroughly thrilling. Everyone is going for it in the practices.

Jane88b · 17/03/2025 04:47

Sorry not to jump on your post, I actually live on Isle of Man, it usually books up super quick especially the boat. They release the boat a year in advance. With hotels again prices shoot up & book very quickly. Most of the action happens toward the end of practice week & a lot can vary based on weather. I’ve seen it glorious sun or rain for days. If you don’t have a car/bike with you there are buses & depends on your interests of your daily life you’ll find something to do. Drop me a message if you need any info.

Damnloginpopup · 28/05/2025 22:04

crazypiglady · 20/12/2024 08:01

Did you sort it in the end? There's been some exciting riding here in the qualifying today!

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