The Isle of Man TT ranks very highly on most motorcycle riders’ bucket lists— but while it seems easy to get there, the planning process can turn into quite a logistical challenge.

Having visited the races this year (2022), I figured I’d put together a How-To, directed more towards the North American riders. I am sure the British and European riders will add helpful tips in the comments.

First: When do you want to go?

This is not something that can (usually) be planned a few weeks or even months before the race. The TT is a very popular destination and the biggest issue can be simply getting there. Ferry space is at a premium.

To give you an example of this, I started the booking process 14 months, more than a year before my journey—and I booked one of the last available tickets for the dates I wanted.

Initially I contact a few campsites to see if they had space. They all did, but they all asked the same question: “Have you booked your ferry ticket?”

“… No…”

“Do that first, then we can talk about your camping reservation!”

在这里你需要做你的第一个决定。

When do you plan to go, and leave?

Check theIoM TT websitefor the race schedule. The practice and racing usually lasts 10-12 days, and there might be a few non-race days in there too. Use all this info to determine when you need to go, to see what you want to see.

Where are you catching a ferry from to get to the Isle of Man? (and the follow up question, are you going with or without a motorcycle?)

Your choices are -Heysham, Liverpool, Birkenhead, in England and, Dublin, and Belfast from Ireland. These are all operated by theIsle of Man Steam Packet Company

I chose Heysham and for 2022 the return price was £115. I went as a foot passenger. I didn’t ride over because regular race-goers told me that as it was my first time there I could see a lot in a week walking or taking local buses to prime race spots. Of course, it also kept the price down. The obvious downside to this is that I didn’t get to ride around the IoM TT circuit.

Why did I choose Heysham Port as my port of choice?

Again this was advice from friends who had attended multiple times. The Heysham Port train station is at the ferry port, exit the train walk less than 100 yards and get on the ferry.

It reduced logistics to get to the port along with hundreds of others trying to do the same. No point in jumping into a traffic jam if you don’t have to!

Trains in England are (mostly) reliable and on time but obviously like any travel, arrive an hour or so early just in case of delays. An easy way to book trains in England is using theTrainLine app. It’s quick and easy; you can pay from your phone, and tickets are also on your phone. Most UK airports are also on the rail network, so you have minimal logistics to sort when you get off the plane.

Where to stay on the IoM?

There are loads of choices if you book far enough in advance: camping, glamping, hotels, B’n’B’s, airbnbs, homestays etc. it all depends on your personal budget and where you want to be on the circuit.

What did I choose and why?

I chose glamping with a company calledInTentsGPlocated at the Douglas Rugby Club just a 1-mile walk from the ferry, or a short bus ride.

I chose this option because it made my life easy and saved me from lugging a lot of gear to the island. It included all bedding, power, towels, lights, showers, toilets and free wi-fi. It was located right on the circuit at the Douglas Rugby Ground, where there’s breakfast, lunch and dinner (for a fee). There’s a licensed bar running all day and night too.

The actual location is just after Mile 1, at QuarterBridge corner. You will be surprised how close you can get to the action; there are more than areas where the riders are just a few feet away as they fly past you.

Were there any downsides to this choice?

Yes, but the problem was minimal, and I was warned ahead of time. The Rugby Club is on theinsidethe circuit.

Once the race is ready to start, approximately 30-45 minutes before the first bike heads off the start-finish line, the circuit is closed to all traffic, foot and vehicle, with no exceptions. This means you need to get to where you want before that happens. Take this into account when you leave so you don’t miss your ferry, because the ferry is on the outside of the circuit!

到来,夜n though the Rugby Ground was only a street’s width away I had to wait for approximately two hours for racing to finish before I could cross the road (circuit) to get to my tent.

If you plan to bring your own tent, the 2022 race was one of the busiest for crowds ever the organizers said, but there was no shortage of camping space.

If there’s no racing happening you can always go and people watch!!!

The 2022 races were an amazing experience for me. Once you’ve been to the TT, you’ll understand why people go again and again, year after year.