The Entire Guide to your first Isle of Man TT
Thinking of going to the iconic Isle of Man TT Races for the first time? Here are 10 top tips to help you get the most out of your visit...
Plan well in advance
We probably don’t need to tell you this, but the Isle of Man TT Races are held on an island, and a fairly small island at that. Yep, that is stating the obvious but it is also really important when considering a trip to the TT races. Logistics can be challenging, and you really do need to plan well in advance.
A visit to the TT isn’t like a day trip to Brands Hatch, indeed it’s probably easier to get to a MotoGP race at Assen or Valencia than it is to the hallowed island. Taking any kind of vehicle requires a ferry crossing, and the Isle of Man’s famous Steam Packet service will be rammed before, during and after TT fortnight. Many visitors book a year in advance and if you think you can phone up in April to make a booking, you’ll almost certainly be disappointed.
Flying over gives more options (although you’ll have to go without your bike, which is a big no-no for many) but even then flights will be busy and most likely expensive if you plan to go during race week. Most of the island’s hotels are fully booked for TT fortnight (especially race week) although you’ll probably be able to find some last minute camping options if that’s your thing.
What about a day trip to the Isle of Man TT Races?
Planning a TT trip can be tough, and it can be expensive, but sometimes it’s easier to head over to the races on a day trip – especially if you decide to go on a whim.
Get an early flight or join as a foot passenger on the ferry and you can still see a day’s racing and soak in the atmosphere, without the hassle and expense of arranging accommodation. Head back on an evening flight (or stay up all night and join the straight through crew on the next day’s red eye) and you can scratch that TT itch without burning a week’s holiday.
Just be aware that bad weather or other incidents might lead to racing being cancelled or delayed, meaning your day trip might come and go without you seeing any bikes on course. You should still have a great day though!
Ferries to Douglas depart daily from Liverpool and Heysham in the north west of England, while flights are also daily from many airports, being around an hour’s hop from the likes of Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh. The ferry port is right at the heart of Douglas, while Ronaldsway airport is a 15 minute taxi ride from the southern sections of the course.
Consider a homestay for the Isle of Man TT
While hotel capacity on the island is relatively limited, and camping isn’t for everyone, there is a third option when it comes to accommodation – in the form of a homestay.
Many Isle of Man residents sign up to a Government supported scheme and rent out part or all of their houses for the duration of the TT. It’s a great way to find a homely base, especially if you’re making a long trip of it and a tent or hotel room will likely send you stir crazy. Visit https://www.homestay.im/ for more information.
You don’t need to do the full thing
The TT takes place over a fortnight. It’s a big commitment to attend for the full event and, the great thing is, you don’t need to be there for the lot.
It’s a festival that evolves and you can enjoy it in different ways at different times. Head over for a day or two in practice week and you can see the bikes on track and enjoy the activities at a more gentle pace. There will be less crowds (although it’ll still be busy) and getting transport and accommodation will be much easier (and cheaper). It’s more chill and a great way to be introduced to the spectacle that is TT racing.
That turns into a real buzz on opening race weekend, a good time to enjoy your first TT race, but by the time we get to the final Saturday and the Senior TT the island is at maximum excitement. The stakes are high and anticipation is in the air. The island is rammed and frenzied, with the atmosphere sometimes tense as expectations rise.
Trying to get a last minute flight or accommodation on Senior weekend will be nigh on impossible, but if you can be there you’ll experience the ultimate adrenaline rush. And the after parties in Douglas are epic!
Remember that the TT has become much more accessible in recent years through the TT+ app, which brings live streams and timing to your computer screen. Subscribing means you can follow all the action as it happens - before, during and after your time on the island.
See the privateers at the Isle of Man TT races
While superstars like Dunlop, Hickman and Todd are rightly feted, don’t forget the plucky privateers who make so many sacrifices to take on the ultimate motorcycle race.
These heroes know they have no chance of winning the race but, much like a marathon runner, they set their own personal goals as they look to clock up PB lap times and win ‘replicas’ for finishing within a certain time of the winner. This is their Everest, and they are all totally devoted to the TT.
They’re a friendly lot, so why not take a wander down the lower paddock after the day’s racing is done and have a chat to some of the biggest characters in all of bike racing. There are some truly amazing stories to be told, and if you can help them out with a bit of sponsorship it will go a long way to helping them achieve your dreams – while giving you someone to look out for and cheer on during the race.
Last year we featured privateer Mike ‘Jack’ Russell, who attempted to complete all 10 races at TT 2024. You can read his fascinating story here.
Find a great place to watch
A big part of the TT experience is watching the most spectacular motorcycle race on the planet and, with 37.73 miles of stunning course, there are plenty of places to watch the racers as they hurtle past at mind blowing speeds.
Everyone’s got their own best places to view and if you’ve got a few days on the island we’d recommend trying out a few different spots, because they really do create different viewing experiences. Some locations allow you to move around as the races go on, but others are so remote you’ll be locked in place until the Roads Open car passes to signify the race track is no longer live.
Staying in Douglas means you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Grandstand and the staggering drama of bikes charging down Bray Hill, or you can get up close as they negotiate slow sections like Quarterbridge and Governor’s Dip. Being in town is great if you’re making a flying visit, or don’t have your own transport, but getting out of the built up areas allows you to experience the other sides of the TT course.
A short trip out of Douglas takes you to Harold’s Farm, prime viewing for Gorse Lea – a terrifyingly fast double right hander where you can really start to understand the sort of speed which makes the star riders stand out. Harold’s is one of those classic ‘on the hedges’ spots which are unique to real road racing, but the desolate Mountain section is pure TT.
Get up early to find a spot on the banks and you’ll be rewarded by hearing the magic of the sound of a sole motorcycle in the distance, getting closer and closer before it flashes by in an instant. It is the essence of the TT and the speed and sound can only really be appreciated when watching trackside.
Alternatively, you can enjoy the hospitality of one of the many iconic pubs around the course, chilling at the likes of Ginger Hall or Creg ny Baa as the bikes whizz by. Some of the most remote spots require great planning, patience and even an off-road bike, but those who love them swear by them.
There really are so many great viewing spots, which encapsulate all the TT is about, but don’t take our word for it. Here’s what the top racers said when we asked them where they’d watch.
Respect the laws while attending the Isle of Man TT Races
Without sounding like your mum, make sure you behave when you’re on the island.
It’s an event which can be very dangerous and the police take no prisoners (surely that should be ‘they do take prisoners?’ - Ed) when it comes to enforcing the law.
Speeding and drink driving/riding are clamped down on hard, while stepping onto the course while it is live will likely land you in prison. The Isle of Man is known for its low crime rates and breaking the law will land you in hot water. Judges are not shy when it comes to throwing wrong ‘uns in jail and banning them from the island, so best follow the law of the land.
And while the Isle of Man might feel very British, it’s worth remembering that it’s actually a crown dependency with its own government and its own laws, some of which are a bit different to the ones you might find in the UK.
Many TT fans ride over, which is an amazing experience as you can ride your bike around the very same course as the racers (albeit having to contend with day-to-day traffic) but take care. If you’re taking your bike over, it’s important to familiarise yourself with speed limits (there are some derestricted sections of road, but it is not a free for all) and, if you are a drinker, drink drive limits.
It’s tempting to get up early and ride the course at first light, but do make sure you have a dry night if that’s your plan.
Make sure too, that your licence and motorbike insurance covers you while on the island. It probably will, but it pays to check.
Enjoy the festival
There really is no event like the Isle of Man TT Races, and it is about much, much more than motorbikes hurtling around the course.
As spectacular as that is, it is the festival atmosphere which keeps fans coming back year after year. Whether it’s the nightly live music and beer at Bushy’s TT Village, the various parades, Red Arrows displays or bike meets which take place around the island, there’s always something going on.
One of the best things, though, is the camaraderie. Meeting fans from around the world and seeing some amazing and unusual bikes parked up and riding around the course is a joy in itself. Many TT visitors bring their classics, specials and modified motorcycles out to the island for a show and a blast. Enjoy the bikes and have a chat to the owners – they’re usually fascinating guys.
Want to know the best place for a pint, here’s where some of the top racers recommend…
Check out the Supertwins!
Ok, so we’re biased but we love the Supertwin TTs. Did you know that Entire Cover is the official insurance partner of the Isle of Man TT Races, and we’re the race sponsor of the Entire Cover Insurance Supertwin TT Race 2?
We love the twins as they are among the most heavily modified motorbikes at the event, with everyday machines like the Kawasaki Z650 and Yamaha R7 turned into bona fide racers.
One of the great things about the TT is the open paddock, which means you can wander about and see the bikes being prepared in the team’s awnings. Take a moment to see the bikes stripped down and appreciate the engineering involved to convert these once humble machines into race bikes… and listen to the glorious bassy engine tone as the mechanics warm them up.
Know the schedule!
The Isle of Man TT Races take place on public roads. One of the most mind blowing things about attending is that you get to see regular traffic – commuters, school runners, buses and trucks – pounding around the very roads which, less than an hour later, will host motorbikes whizzing along at 200mph. And then, when the bikes are done, the roads reopen and the island returns to normal.
It's staggering, and the behind the scenes work to make this happen is impressive. Road closures are planned well in advance, but TT races don’t take place in wet weather, so in the case of rain (and other incidents) the schedule can be moved around, including running sessions in the evening and on scheduled rest days.
It's worth knowing what’s planned for when, especially if you’re only making a short trip, so you can plan your time wisely. The big superbike races (Senior TT and Superbike TT) take place over six laps. With over two hours of racing, these feats of speed and endurance get a race day all to themselves, while other race days typically feature two three or four lap outings.
