Ramsey & the North: Bus Routes 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 Explained
By Itamar Bareket·
The northern plain of the Isle of Man is the island's quietest and most sparsely populated corner. North of Ramsey, a handful of small villages - Bride, Andreas, Jurby, Maughold -- are scattered across flat farmland that stretches to the Point of Ayre, the island's northernmost tip. Bus Vannin serves this area with a network of rural routes radiating from Ramsey, the island's second town. These are not high-frequency urban services. Some run only a few times a day, and some do not operate on Sundays at all. But with a little planning, they open up a part of the island that most visitors never see.
Key Takeaway
Northern routes run infrequently - sometimes just 2-3 departures per day. Always check the Kivoon app for exact times before travelling, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hub
Ramsey
Routes
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, CV
Trips
2-6 per day (varies)
Sunday
Very limited or none
The Routes at a Glance
16
Ramsey - Maughold
Ramsey → Maughold
2 trips (16b: 2, 16d: 2)
17k
Ramsey - Jurby - Smeale - Bride
Ramsey → Ramsey (circular)
2 trips
18
Ramsey - Andreas - Jurby (Circular)
Ramsey → Ramsey (circular)
18a: 2 trips, 18k: 3 trips
19
Ramsey - Jurby
Ramsey → Jurby
19: 2 trips, 19c: 4 trips
20
Ramsey - Bride - Smeale - Andreas (Circular)
Ramsey → Ramsey (circular)
20: 2 trips, 20a: 6 trips
Route 16 / 16b / 16d: Ramsey to Maughold
Route 16 is the shortest of the northern routes, running east from Ramsey to the village of Maughold. Maughold is home to one of the island's most important early Christian sites - the churchyard contains a remarkable collection of Celtic and Norse cross slabs dating from the 7th to 12th centuries. Maughold Head, a short walk from the village, offers dramatic cliff-top views along the northeast coast. Variant 16b runs via Glen Mona, while 16d follows a more direct routing. Each variant has 2 trips per day - check the Kivoon app for exact departure times.
Routes 17 and 18: The Northern Circulars
Routes 17 and 18 are circular services that loop through the villages north of Ramsey. Route 17k (2 trips) runs from Ramsey through Jurby, Smeale, and Bride before returning. Route 18a (2 trips) runs from Ramsey through Andreas and Jurby, while 18k (3 trips) goes via Bride, Andreas, and Jurby before returning to Ramsey. Bride is a small village near the Point of Ayre. The Bride area is known for its flat, open landscape and its importance for birdwatching - the Ayres National Nature Reserve, which covers the shingle coastline and heath at the island's northern tip, is accessible from here. The Point of Ayre lighthouse marks the northernmost point of the Isle of Man, and on a clear day you can see Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales simultaneously.
Andreas is a larger village with a church, a shop, and a primary school. It sits on the crossroads between the routes heading north to Bride and west to Jurby.
Route 19 runs west from Ramsey to Jurby, a scattered parish on the northern plain. Jurby is known for the former RAF Jurby airfield, which now hosts the Jurby Transport Museum (a collection of vintage vehicles and memorabilia) and the Jurby Motordrome, used for motorsport events. The 19c variant (4 trips) follows an extended routing via Cronk, while the standard 19 has 2 trips. Check the Kivoon app for exact departure times.
Route 20 / 20a: The Bride and Smeale Loop
Route 20 (2 trips) is a circular from Ramsey, heading north through Bride and looping back through Smeale and Andreas. The 20a variant (6 trips) follows the same route. Check the Kivoon app for exact departure times. Smeale is little more than a crossroads with a few farms, but the route passes through some of the island's most open and undeveloped countryside. In spring and early summer, the hedgerows are thick with wildflowers and the fields are full of Loaghtan sheep, the native Manx breed with their distinctive brown wool and multiple horns.
ConnectVILLAGES (CV): On-Demand Service
CV
ConnectVILLAGES - North of Island On-Demand
North of Island → On-demand
ConnectVILLAGES is an on-demand bus service covering the north of the island. Rather than following a fixed route, the CV service picks up and drops off passengers at flexible locations within its coverage area. This fills gaps left by the scheduled routes, especially for villages and rural areas that are not served by the regular timetable. Check the Kivoon app for availability and how to book.
Getting to Ramsey
Ramsey is the starting point for all northern routes. To reach Ramsey from Douglas, you have two main options. Route 3 (24 trips) runs along the coast via Laxey, and the express X3 (6 trips) makes fewer stops. Alternatively, the Manx Electric Railway runs from Douglas to Ramsey along the coast (does not run year-round - check rail.im) and is one of the great railway journeys of the British Isles. In Ramsey, the bus station on Parliament Street serves as the departure point for all northern routes. Check the Kivoon app for connection times between your arriving Douglas service and the departing northern route.
Planning Tips for the Rural North
These routes are designed primarily for local residents rather than tourists, so the timetables are built around school runs and shopping trips rather than visitor itineraries. Here is how to make them work for you:
Check the Kivoon app the night before for the exact timetable. Services can vary by day of week.
If visiting the Point of Ayre, take a Route 17 or 20 to Bride and walk or cycle the last stretch (about 3 km on quiet roads).
For Maughold, Route 16 (and variants 16b, 16d) is a comfortable half-day trip from Ramsey.
On Saturdays, expect reduced services. On Sundays, some routes may not run at all.
There is little shelter at many rural stops, so dress for the weather. The northern plain is exposed and windy.
Key Destinations
Point of Ayre
Island's northernmost tip
Maughold
Celtic crosses, coastal walks
Jurby
Transport Museum, Motordrome
Andreas
Village crossroads, church
Bride
Ayres Nature Reserve nearby
Smeale
Quiet farmland, Loaghtan sheep
Frequently Asked Questions
You have two main bus options. Route 3 (24 trips daily) runs along the east coast via Laxey. The express X3 (6 trips) makes fewer stops. The adult single fare is £3.30 (child £1.70). The Manx Electric Railway also connects Douglas to Ramsey (does not run year-round - check rail.im). Check the Kivoon app for current departure times.
Northern routes are infrequent, with most running only 2-6 trips per day. Some do not operate on Sundays at all. Always check the Kivoon app for exact departure times before travelling to Bride, Andreas, Jurby, or Maughold.
There is no bus stop at the Point of Ayre itself, but Routes 17k and 20/20a serve Bride, which is the closest village. From Bride, the Point of Ayre lighthouse is about 3 km on quiet roads. Check the Kivoon app for departure times to Bride.
ConnectVILLAGES (CV) is an on-demand bus service covering the north of the island. Instead of following a fixed route, it picks up and drops off passengers at flexible locations within its coverage area, filling gaps left by the scheduled routes. Check the Kivoon app for availability.