Just a short journey from the UK, Guernsey is the ideal destination for an island escape. With a mild climate, Mediterranean-esque scenery and captivating attractions, Guernsey offers the best of a European holiday without the travel time, currency exchange or language barrier. This stunning Channel Island is bursting with exploration, packed with beautiful beaches, thrilling activity and charming villages. There is so much to discover in Guernsey that even if you have travelled to the island a hundred times, there will still be something new to enjoy. If however, this is your first visit to Guernsey, you may be searching for the essential information that you need to plan, book and enjoy your trip. Consider this your ultimate guide to Guernsey tourist information full of tips, tricks and facts to introduce you to this stunning destination.
Getting to Guernsey
Guernsey operates an extensive travel programme in the Channel Islands ensuring there is always a quick and convenient way to travel to the island. If you are travelling from the UK, fourteen UK airports offer direct flights to Guernsey with frequent daily departures from London Gatwick, Manchester and Southampton. Many other UK airports offer a year round service with flights to Guernsey operating multiple times a week. Some smaller regional airports operate seasonal flights only with a schedule throughout the summer. Guernsey operates its own airline, Aurigny, operating the most frequent flight schedule whilst several leading UK airlines also operate regular itineraries between UK airports and Guernsey.
You can also travel to Guernsey from the UK via ferry with routes from Poole and Portsmouth to St Peter Port. You can make the journey on Condor Ferries either by car or on foot. Whilst journey times are longer than travelling by air, ferry travel offers the convenience of travelling with your vehicle, unlimited luggage allowance and the option to travel with pets.
If you are travelling from elsewhere in Europe, flight connections to Guernsey are also available from Dublin, Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Grenoble, Ibiza, Mallorca, Malaga and Rennes. Many of these services are infrequent or seasonal whilst flights to Dublin are regular with Dublin a major international hub and a popular layover for international travel to or from Guernsey. There is one ferry service in operation between Guernsey and France connecting St Peter Port to St Malo.
Flights and ferries are also available from neighbouring Channel Islands Jersey and Alderney if you decide to island-hop around this breathtaking archipelago.
Travel Requirements for Guernsey
Guernsey’s entry requirements are very straightforward, especially for UK nationals travelling to the island.
Guernsey is part of the Common Travel Area and upholds the same immigration controls as the UK. If you are travelling from within the Common Travel Area (the UK, Ireland and Crown Dependencies) it is not required to carry identification for immigration purposes and you are entitled to travel freely. However, airlines and ferry companies require identification for travel so please confirm the accepted methods of identification by your airline or ferry operator prior to travel.
If you are an EU national travelling to Guernsey, you will require a valid passport but a visa is not required to visit the island.
If you are not an EU or UK national, you will require a valid passport and visa requirements vary depending on nationality and/or departure destination. Please check gov.gg for information regarding visas and travel requirements.
Passengers who are more than 28 weeks pregnant must provide a fit to travel certificate from a registered GP in order to travel. Passengers with an existing health condition should seek medical advice before travelling.
Vehicle Travel Requirements for Guernsey
If you are travelling by ferry with a car, specific requirements need to be fulfilled to transport your vehicle to Guernsey.
For UK citizens driving their own vehicle from the UK to Guernsey, drivers will need to travel with a full valid driving licence. Foreign nationals driving from the UK without a UK issued licence will also be required to travel with an international driving permit.
All vehicles are required to have valid insurance and breakdown cover is also advised.
All cars entering Guernsey are required to display a country identifier clearly on the rear of the vehicle. The country identifier should include both the letter code and flag of the country. If your vehicle displays a country identifier as part of the licence plate, an additional sticker is not required.
Please note, for vehicles from the UK, the GB sticker is no longer valid as of September 2021 and must be replaced by a UK sticker to comply with UK and European laws. For UK vehicles with a licence plate identifier stating ‘GB’ or ‘EU’, an additional UK sticker is required to support the latest guidelines.
Pet Travel Requirements for Guernsey
If you are travelling by ferry with a pet, no documentation is required when travelling from the UK, however, specific requirements must be met.
Condor Ferries permits the transport of domestic pets on all ferry services and the operator classes dogs and cats only as domestic pets. As part of The Common Travel Area, pets being transported between the UK and Channel Islands do not require any documentation and a pet passport is not required. However, all dogs must be microchipped as part of the legal requirement in England, Scotland and Wales and it is advised that all dogs should be fully vaccinated prior to sailing.
All pets must be booked in advance. There is no additional charge for pets travelling with a vehicle however, there is a charge for pets travelling with foot passengers. Pets are not permitted in the passenger lounges with the exception of service animals and If you are travelling on foot, all pets must travel in a cage that meets RSPCA requirements and if you are travelling in a vehicle, your pet can remain in the car for the duration of the journey with visits to the car deck permitted during sailing.
COVID-19 Travel Requirements for Guernsey
You are now able to visit the Islands of Guernsey free from border and testing restrictions. This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.
For the latest advice relating to Coronavirus please visit www.covid19.gov.gg.
Getting Around Guernsey
Once you arrive in Guernsey, you will need to know how to get around. The simplest way to get around is to drive and with Guernsey’s easy to navigate roads, driving is incredibly convenient. Driving gives you the flexibility of exploring at your own pace and the ability to reach locations that public transport may not visit. In Guernsey, driving is on the left-hand side of the road making it very straightforward for UK visitors. If you are travelling by ferry, you can take your own car with you ensuring that all vehicle travel requirements are met. Alternatively, if you fly to Guernsey, a number of car hire companies can be found on arrival at the airport with great deals on vehicle rentals. To hire a car in Guernsey, a valid driving licence is required along with a valid credit card for a security deposit. Limited companies accept debit cards for deposits. It is advised to arrange car hire in advance to secure your vehicle, particularly if you are visiting Guernsey during the peak summer months.
If you choose not to drive or are a non-driver, Guernsey also has an exceptional public transportation service. CT Plus operates a service across the island with regular connections between the airport, St Peter Port and Guernsey’s main attractions. The majority of routes pass through the capital of St Peter Port whilst a circular coastal route passes through all parishes except St Andrew’s. You can purchase single, multi-day or family tickets either on board or at the bus station. For timetables, you can access them online or obtain a paper one from either the bus station customer service desk or the Guernsey Tourist Information Centre.
Walking and cycling are also popular options for getting around Guernsey if you are not planning on travelling a huge distance. The island offers a wealth of walking paths and cycling trails. Both inland and coastal routes are available. You can obtain maps and information about bicycle hire at the Guernsey Tourist Information Centre.
Accommodation in Guernsey
Guernsey offers an abundance of accommodation options with something to suit everyone. The island has an extensive list of places to stay with accommodation available in every corner of the island from the vibrant capital of St Peter to the quietest coastal corners and inland countryside escape.
For a spot of luxury, boutique hotels and intimate guest houses offer all the fine amenities needed for a relaxing break. Many of Guernsey’s leading hotels can be found in the capital of St Peter Port, surrounded by the excitement and attractions of this port town whilst offering easy access to explore the rest of the island. Many of Guernsey’s top hotels are also child-friendly with some also welcoming dogs so there is no need to compromise on luxury when travelling with the whole family.
Families and avid explorers will be at home in the island’s abundance of self-catering units with lots of space, privacy and independence. The island boasts some of the best short term rentals providing a real home away from home. Guernsey offers everything from lavish, luxury villages to charming cottages and capital-based apartments with a prominent central location.
Serviced campsites and bargain hostels are also available for those on a budget providing a cheap base for discovering Guernsey and what it has to offer. Many of Guernsey’s budget-friendly accommodation offers a nightly room rate inclusive of breakfast and wifi usage.
Weather in Guernsey
Whilst located just an hour from the UK, Guernsey features the perfect blend of the European climates. The Channel Islands offer the best weather in the British Isles with warm Summers and mild Winters.
The peak tourism period is in the Summer months when the weather is at its best between May and September. Temperatures during this period average 20ºC with the possibility of reaching high twenties on the very best days. On these days, a Guernsey summer is reminiscent of a Mediterranean destination making it a perfect place for a holiday.
The average Winter temperatures are between 5ºC and 8ºC. Snow is a possibility but less likely than the UK where snowfall is only experienced on a handful of days each year. The island receives year round rainfall with an average of 87 cm of rain annually. The majority of rainfall occurs in the cooler months but summer months can still be temperamental with rainfall always a possibility.
Currency in Guernsey
Conveniently for visitors from the UK, Guernsey uses the Great British Pound as its currency. However, the island also prints its own denomination of the pound, the Guernsey Pound. Whilst pound sterling is accepted in Guernsey, the Guernsey pound is not accepted in the UK. If you receive change in Guernsey pounds during your trip, you can convert the Guernsey pound into pound sterling at any bank on the island. Make sure to swap the Guernsey pound out before your departure as it is not legal tender in the UK.
If you are withdrawing money from an ATM, you will often find two machines side-by-side, one labelled ‘pound sterling’ and the other ‘Guernsey pounds’. It may work in your favour to exclusively draw from pound sterling cashpoints to limit the amount of cash you may need to convert before returning to the UK.
Language in Guernsey
Another convenience for visitors from the UK is that English is one of the national languages in Guernsey alongside Guernsey French. English is widely-spoken and the most-used language on the island. You will find that the vast majority of locals will speak English, whether as a mother tongue or second language, making it easy for English speakers to navigate the island. You will also find that most signposts, business names and any tourist information is in English.
Time Zone in Guernsey
Located in the English Channel south of the UK, the Guernsey time zone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). When travelling to Guernsey from the UK, there is no need to adjust any clocks or watches as the time zone is exactly the same as the UK. When the UK switches to British Summer Time (BST), Guernsey’s changes with it and always remains the same time as the UK.
Plug Sockets in Guernsey
For UK travellers visiting Guernsey, there is no need to pack any travel adaptors for electronics as the island uses UK 3-pin plug sockets. For anyone travelling from Europe and other destinations, UK travel adaptors will be required.
Phone Networks in Guernsey
The UK’s phone networks do not extend to Guernsey and the island has its own mobile networks. Whilst Guernsey has the same international dialling code as the UK (+44), any calls, texts and data usage are classified as international by the majority of UK networks. It is advised to check charges with your service provider or have an overseas roaming plan in place. Alternatively, you could pick up a pay as you go sim card on arrival in Guernsey.
Healthcare for Tourists in Guernsey
As Guernsey is not part of the UK, the NHS does not exist on the island. As of January 2023, the UK and Guernsey will have a new reciprocal health agreement in place and most emergency treatments for tourists will be free of charge in Guernsey. Whilst emergency treatments you receive in Guernsey will be free, any non-urgent treatment or treatment for existing medical conditions unless urgent will not be covered. If you visit a GP rather than the hospital, you will be charged for a GP visit. It is highly advised to have comprehensive travel insurance secured to cover all bases.
The island features one hospital, Princess Elizabeth Hospital, for urgent care whilst GP surgeries and pharmacies can be found across the island.
Accessibility in Guernsey
Many areas of the island are highly accessible with provisions in place to make the island as accessible as possible for both residents and tourists.
The island follows the blue badge parking system with an abundance of disabled parking bays. The island also uses the RADAR National Key System. It is advised to travel with your own key but keys are also available from the Guernsey Tourist Information Centre and the information desk at Guernsey Airport.
Several of Guernsey’s beaches are accessible with step-free access, zero-entry beaches and beach wheelchairs available for hire. Disabled bays are also located close by for ease of access. A guide outlining accessible points is available to download at www.visitguernsey.com and information regarding the hire of beach wheelchairs is available at www.gsybeachwheelchairs.com.
If travelling by public transport, Guernsey’s bus service operated by CT Plus operates low-floor buses that are fully accessible for wheelchair users. Accessible taxis are also available in Guernsey through a selection of taxi firms.
Safety Information for Guernsey
Guernsey is considered a safe destination to travel, however, there are a few aspects of the island to be aware of.
High Tides
The island boasts one of the world’s largest tidal ranges and whilst this is a great accolade for Guernsey, it can pose a threat to tourists not in the know. When at Guernsey’s beaches and particularly when swimming in the sea, proceed with caution. The level of safety varies by beach so make sure to research in advance and read any signposts on arrival at the beach. If the beach is flagged or has a lifeguard on duty during the peak season, make sure to abide by any restrictions, rules and advice. Water can rise quickly at high tide so make sure to check out tide times before embarking on your beach day and keep little ones supervised at all times.
Low Tide Causeways
Several of the island’s attractions are only accessed by a causeway during low tide. When visiting these attractions, proceed with caution and take note of tide times. Causeways only appear once or twice a day to provide access between the mainland and attractions. Water can rise quickly at high tide so make sure to check out tide times before embarking on your adventure and keep little ones supervised at all times.
Information for International Travellers
For visitors from outside of the UK, a valid International Driving Permit is required if you intend to drive in Guernsey.
The international dialling code is the same as the UK (+44) and the area code for Guernsey is 1481.
The time zone in Guernsey is the same as the UK, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the Winter and British Summer Time (BST) in the Summer.
Guernsey has its own currency, Guernsey Pound Sterling (JEP), which has the same value as the UK currency Great British Pound (GBP). UK currency is widely accepted across the island, however, GEP is not an accepted legal tender in the UK.
The official languages of Guernsey are English and French. English is more widely spoken and all road signs will be in English with some subtitled in French.
Guernsey Tourist Information Centre
The Guernsey Tourist Information Centre is located in St Peter Port. The team at the Guernsey Tourist Information Centre can answer any pressing questions you have during your time in Guernsey as well as providing assistance and recommendations. You can also obtain information regarding attractions, events and public transportation including maps and bus timetables.
The Guernsey Tourist Information Centre is open at the following times:
10am – 3pm Monday to Friday
10am – 2pm Saturday
Closed Sunday
You can visit the Guernsey Tourist Information Centre at:
North Esplanade
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2LQ
You can contact the Guernsey Tourist Information Centre at:
+44 (0)1481 223552
You can also access all information related to Guernsey Tourist Information Centre at:
