Compare Isle of Man car hire

Set in the heart of the Irish Sea, the peaceful Isle of Man is a treasure trove of scenery, gastronomy and history – it's the home of the world's oldest democracy, no less. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll want to hire a car to explore all this unique destination has to offer.

If you're flying into Isle of Man Ronaldsway Airport (IOM), you'll be able to compare cheap deals from several car hire firms. In the airport, local providers act as agents for big brands such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar. The airport is a 20-minute drive from Douglas, and you can cross the whole island in less than an hour.

The car hire desks at Isle of Man Airport are located in the ground floor arrivals area, beside the terminal entrance, and pick-up is usually at one of the car parks outside the building.

Car hire companies at Isle of Man Ronaldsway Airport include:

• Athol Car Hire (Tel: 01624 820092)
• Isle of Man Rent a Car – agents for Hertz, Europcar, National and Thrifty (Tel: 01624 825855)
• Mylchreests Car Rental – agents for Avis (Tel: 01624 823533)

Hiring a car is a great way to discover all areas of this small island. You’ll find driving on the Isle of Man a pleasure, thanks in part to its quiet roads and the familiar rules – they are the same as the rest of the UK. The legal age for hiring a car is 21.

For the majority of the year, the island’s roads are very quiet – jams are a rarity, even during commuter times in Douglas. During the TT races in May and June, however, Douglas can get very busy, so you’ll need to give yourself extra time if you’re driving in or out of it.

The Isle of Man’s larger towns are connected by well-maintained roads that have no speed limits outside of built-up areas. In more rural hilly regions, the roads can be quite narrow and may be covered in snow during the winter, so be extra cautious if snow is forecast.

When it comes to parking, there is plenty of it. In town centres and some busy residential areas, you'll encounter disc parking zones, where parking is restricted to disc holders. Ask your car hire firm about getting a parking disc when you pick up your vehicle.

Douglas

Douglas is the capital of the Isle of Man and, if you’re not already staying there, you’ll want to visit it to learn more about the island’s history. Head to the Manx Museum for exhibitions about Vikings and the famous TT races, or visit the magnificent Victorian-era Douglas Head Lighthouse for stunning ocean views. In summer, Douglas Bay is dotted with horse-drawn trams that offer a unique way to see the town’s coastal sights.

Castletown

There are several (mostly ruined) castles on the island, but none are quite as impressive as Castle Rushen, a former royal palace in Castletown’s harbour. The quaint medieval town is a 25-minute drive from Douglas and was once the island’s capital, with Castle Rushen sitting at its centre. For a time the castle was used as a prison, but it is now a tourist attraction with some fantastic exhibits on medieval life.

Laxey Wheel

Industrial history fans will love this feat of Victorian engineering – the largest working water wheel in the world. For everyone else, it’s less boring than it sounds. The wheel is a genuinely incredible sight – a huge red arc rising above green hills, and fed by a long whitewashed aqueduct. It forms part of the Great Laxey Mine on the Isle of Man’s east coast. Spiral steps lead up to a viewing platform right at the top, allowing you to survey the area and look down on the wheel in action. Walking tours of the old mine are available too.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.