The Welcome Centre (Tourist Information Centre) is located inside the Ferry Terminal and has full information and bookable trips along with leaflets and a coffee shop. It is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm all year and on Sundays from the end of May to the end of September.
Click here to go to the Welcome Centre website.
Visit The Isle of Man Website with lots of tourist information
You can book a private or group Tour Guide here
Bus Services (accurate as of 03.01.23)
The Isle of Man offers a good bus network with regular journeys around the main towns. For timetables and journey maps, please click here.
The buses to and from the airport are Numbers: 1, 1H, 2, 2A, 11 or 12
The bus to the airport operates outside of the hotel on the opposite side of the road from the bus stop and takes around 35 minutes.
Costs are £3.10 for adults for a single or £5.70 return. You can also take the bus from central Douglas to the airport for £2.70 for a single and £5.00 return. (Bus costs are currently capped at £2 per journey until the end of January 2023 and may be extended but is subject to change at short notice)
However, please check the the link above for exact times during race events and road closure days as these times will probably vary significantly.
Heritage Railways – more details can be found here
2023 scheduled services – Open from:
Steam Railway – 10 March 2023
Manx Electric Railway – 14 March 2023
Snaefell Mountain Railway – 18 March 2023
Douglas Bay Horse Tram – 6th April 2023
Railway Map
- View the Railways map HERE
- the red line on the map is the Steam Railway line,
- the green line is the Snaefell Mountain Railway and
- the blue line is the Manx Electric Railway.
Thomas the Tank Engine was inspired by the Island’s railways and the feature film Thomas and the Magic Railroad was filmed on the Isle of Man.
It’s possible to see the majority of the Island by travelling on the railway network and many of the Island’s heritage attractions are also located near to the railway stops making it easy to get around.
A range of cost effective multi-journey Go cards can be purchased and the Go Explore card entitles the holder to unlimited travel on scheduled services of:
- Steam Railway,
- Manx Electric Railway,
- Snaefell Mountain Railway,
- Douglas Horse Trams and
- Buses (except the Manx Express routes; half fare applies on premium Hullad Oie Night Owl services)
Go Explore Cards cost 2022 (2023 TBC):
| 1 Day card | Adults
£17.00 |
Children
£8.50 |
Family
£41.50 |
| 3 Day Card | £34.00 | £17.00 | £80.00 |
| 5 Day Card | £41.00 | £21.00 | £100.00 |
| 7 Day Card | £50.00 | £25.00 | £122.00 |
Manx Museum
The Manx Museum is located around 20 minutes walk from the hotel. It is open Mon-sat from 10am to 5pm and is FREE to enter. Click here for their website.
Home of Rest for Old Horses
This is located on Richmond Hill in Douglas and can be reached by car or bus (any number bus going to the airport passes the Home).
It is normally open from May to September Mon-Fri from 10am to 4pm and has FREE entry. More details.
The Gaiety Theatre & Villa Marina Complex
The Theatre & Villa Marina Complex are less than 5 -10 minutes walk towards the town centre – turn right outside of the hotel and keep walking! – further details of events and shows can be found here
Golf
There are many golf courses on the Island, and some offer flexible rates to guests of The Empress Hotel.
Please call 01624 661155 to find out the best rates at local golf courses.
Camera Obscura
Tickets cost £2.00 adults, £1.00 for students and children are free
Open from May to September on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm
Other activities nearby include:
- Bike Hire
- Walking Routes
- National Sports Centre
- Bike Trails
- Casino
Local Shopping
Just 10-15 minutes walk when you turn right outside the hotel entrance, from the hotel is Strand Street, the main shopping area in Douglas. Marks & Spencer, T K Maxx, Top Shop, Boots, Sports Direct, and W H Smiths and many more well known brands are available during normal business hours of 9am to 5.30pm approx. Mon-Sat and 11am until 5pm Sundays.
There is also a retail park outside of the town which can be reached by a 10 minute taxi ride and stores includes Currys and B&Q.
There is a large Tesco store just past the harbour and is open 8am to midnight Mon-Sat and 9am-6pm Sundays.
The nearest convenience store is a Spar about 5 minutes walk from the hotel. Turn left out of the main entrance and walk 400-500 metres. It is open 7am until 10pm daily. The store sells food, snacks, sweets, alcohol, newspapers and cigarettes. It also has a cash machine inside the store.
Links to More Useful Sites Below
Browse our links section for Isle of Man specific information that may be of interest to you. By clicking the links below you will be navigating away for the Empress Hotel – Please note we are not responsible for any third party web site content or the accuracy of their associated information.
Map of the Island with Places to Stay, Things to Do shown
Isle of Man (Ronaldsway) airport
