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GuernseyTravel guide

Explore Guernsey visa rules

Guernsey is an island in the English Channel, about 50 miles west of France. It is about 6 miles long and 3 miles wide. St Peter Port is its main town. This guide covers the main island; Alderney, Sark and Herm are separate islands.

Why go

  1. Explore Castle Cornet and Guernsey's historic fortifications.

  2. Visit Hauteville House, where Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables.

  3. Enjoy sandy beaches in the north and west, or small coves beneath the southern cliffs.

  4. Learn about the German occupation during the Second World War.

  5. Try a traditional cream tea.

Getting there

By air

  • Aurigny flies from London Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, East Midlands, Exeter, Leeds-Bradford and Manchester. It also flies from Jersey and Alderney.
  • Blue Islands flies directly from Southampton, with connections from other cities through Jersey. Loganair flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle connect with the Southampton service.
  • Guernsey Airport is in the south of the island. Bus 71 takes about 30 minutes to St Peter Port; the source lists a taxi to town at under £10.

By sea

  • Brittany Ferries sails from Poole and Portsmouth in England, St Malo in France, and Jersey. The listed journey times are 3 hours, 7 hours, 1 hour and 1 hour respectively.
  • These ferries run year-round and carry vehicles, with daily sailings in summer. The fast ferry from Poole is more likely to be cancelled in bad weather.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Buses cover most island roads and meet at St Peter Port. The general bus section lists a flat fare of £1.60, paid by contactless card. You need a day pass to tour around the island on routes such as 91 or 92. The listed prices are £10 for one day or £11 for two days. Three late-night routes serve Bordeaux Harbour, Grandes Rocques and Pleinmont. The listed flat fare is £2.50. A Puffinpass is a prepaid travel card listed at £15. You can add money in multiples of £5.

  • Hire car

    Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Hallmark offer car hire at the airport. Book ahead because the fleets are small and can sell out during busy periods. Drive on the left.

  • Bicycle

    Adventure Cycles hires out bicycles. Other bicycle shops sell and repair bikes but do not offer hire.

What to see and do

  • Castle Cornet

    This 13th-century castle became part of the harbour breakwater in 1859. It also displays the Guernsey Tapestry, with panels showing centuries of island life.

  • Hauteville House

    Victor Hugo lived here from 1856 to 1870 and wrote several famous works here, including Les Misérables. The house has four levels and a garden.

  • Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery

    Learn about island life from prehistoric times to the present. The museum stands in the Victorian Candie Gardens.

  • German Naval Signals Headquarters

    This restored bunker shows how important military radio messages were handled during the German occupation. There are no toilets, and only assistance dogs are allowed.

  • Sausmarez Manor, Gardens & Artpark

    Visit the manor on a guided tour or explore the gardens and sculpture trail. The gardens and Artpark are open all year.

  • German Underground Hospital

    This large underground hospital was built during the German occupation in preparation for an Allied attack that never came.

Food and drink

  • Cream teas

    A Guernsey tradition to enjoy at a café or take to the beach. Options include Victoria Cafe in Candie Gardens and kiosks at Saint's Bay, Port Soif and Portelet Bay.

  • Le Nautique

    A seafood restaurant overlooking the harbour in St Peter Port. Reservations are recommended.

  • Christie's Brasserie

    A harbourside restaurant on The Pollet in St Peter Port.

  • Gusto

    An Italian restaurant on Smith Street with a varied menu.

  • Da Nello

    A friendly, cosy Italian restaurant on The Pollet, near the ferry pier.

  • Terrace Garden Cafe

    Thai food on Cornet Street, with views of the harbour and town.

Money

Guernsey pound and British pound sterling (GBP), with equal value.

  • Notes from Jersey, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man are accepted.
  • Guernsey pounds are not accepted in the UK. Change them for UK pounds before leaving the islands.
  • Cash machines may let you choose between local notes and British pound notes.

Typical costs

  • The general bus section lists a standard single fare of £1.60.
  • An island bus day pass is listed at £10 for one day or £11 for two days.
  • Castle Cornet admission is listed at £10.50 for adults and £3 for children or students, in an August 2022 listing.
  • Hotel listings from August 2022 give examples of double rooms with breakfast from £150 to £300.

Language

  • English is the main spoken language.
  • Guernésiais, a Norman-French language, is taught in schools to help preserve it.

Staying safe

  • Natural hazards, including slippery rocks, are the main risks.
  • Crime is uncommon, but take care of your belongings and avoid people behaving badly when drunk.
  • Watch out for currents at Port Soif.
  • Some southern coves are difficult to reach. Le Jaonnet Bay is especially tricky to access.

Local customs

Do

  • Follow seasonal dog restrictions on beaches. From May to September, dogs are banned at Fermain, Petit Bot, L'Eree, northern Vazon, Port Soif, Cobo, L'Ancresse and Pembroke.
  • Respect closures in the Lihou and L'Erée nature reserve during seabird nesting season.

Don't

  • Do not call the UK "the mainland" when in Guernsey. The UK is not Guernsey's mainland.

Staying healthy

  • You must have personal travel health insurance. Medical treatment on the islands must be paid in full.
  • Guernsey has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK National Health Service, the European Union health card system or any other nation.

Phone and internet

  • Airtel-Vodafone, JT and Sure provide fourth-generation mobile coverage across almost all of Guernsey, with a few areas without a signal.
  • Wireless internet is available in many public places.
  • Visitors from the UK or Europe should ask their mobile provider about charges for using their phone in Guernsey.

Where to stay

  • Moore's Central Hotel faces the harbour in St Peter Port. Its August 2022 listing gives a double room with breakfast at £150.
  • Duke of Normandie Hotel is central and has the Pickled Pig pub. Expect stairs, an uneven layout and some street noise.
  • Hotel de Havelet is about 500 metres south of the harbour. The source praises its service and comfort.
  • La Fregate overlooks the port, with steps down to the town centre. Only assistance dogs are allowed.

Outdoor adventures in Guernsey

Guernsey has sandy beaches in the north and west, rocky shores in the east, and small coves below the southern cliffs. Outdoor highlights include clifftop walks at Jerbourg Point, a low-tide walk to Lihou, surfing at Vazon Bay and windsurfing at Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bays.

  • Jerbourg Point clifftop walk

    HikeSoutheast Guernsey

    Head to Jerbourg Point at the southeast tip of the island for a scenic clifftop stroll.

  • Lihou and L’Erée wetland nature reserve

    WildlifeL’Erée headland

    Low tide for the crossing

    Walk from L’Erée headland to Lihou along the 400 m causeway at low tide.

    • The causeway is only accessible at low tide.
    • Some areas may close during the seabird nesting season, including Lissroy and Lihoumel.

  • Vazon Bay surfing and beach

    SurfingWest coast

    Go to Vazon Bay on the west coast for surfing or a beach visit.

  • Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bays windsurfing and beaches

    More to doNorth coast

    Head to Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bays on the north coast. Both are popular for windsurfing.

    • These bays are breezy.

  • Cobo Bay

    BeacheWest coast

    Visit Cobo Bay on the west coast.

  • Fermain Bay

    BeacheEast coastnear St Peter Port

    Visit Fermain Bay on the east coast, in the area around St Peter Port.

  • Moulin Huet

    BeacheSouth coast, around St Martin

    Head to Moulin Huet on the south coast around St Martin.

    • Access to the southern coves is less easy than access to the northern and western beaches.

  • Petit Bot

    BeacheSouth coast, around St Martin

    Visit Petit Bot on the south coast around St Martin.

    • Access to the southern coves is less easy than access to the northern and western beaches.

  • Port Soif

    BeacheNorth coast

    Visit Port Soif on the north coast.

    • Beware of currents.

  • L’Erée beach

    BeacheWest coast

    Visit L’Erée on the west coast.

  • Rocquaine and Portelet Bay

    BeacheWest coast

    Head to Rocquaine and Portelet Bay on the west coast.

  • Grandes Rocques

    BeacheWest coast

    Visit Grandes Rocques on the west coast.

  • Portinfer and Port Grat beaches

    BeacheNorth coast

    Visit Portinfer or Port Grat on the north coast.

  • Le Grande Havre, Chouet Bay and Ladies Bay

    BeacheNorth coast

    Head to the north coast to visit Le Grande Havre, Chouet Bay or Ladies Bay.

  • Bordeaux and Belle Greve Bay

    BeacheEast coastnear St Peter Port

    Visit Bordeaux or Belle Greve Bay on the east coast around St Peter Port.

  • Havelet and Soldiers Bay

    BeacheEast coastnear St Peter Port

    Visit Havelet or Soldiers Bay in the east-coast area around St Peter Port.

  • Marble Bay (Le Pied du Mur)

    BeacheEast coastnear St Peter Port

    Visit Marble Bay, also called Le Pied du Mur, on the east coast around St Peter Port.

  • Petit Port

    BeacheSouth coast, around St Martin

    Head to Petit Port on the south coast around St Martin.

    • Access to the southern coves is less easy than access to the northern and western beaches.

  • Saints Bay

    BeacheSouth coast, around St Martin

    Visit Saints Bay on the south coast around St Martin.

    • Access to the southern coves is less easy than access to the northern and western beaches.

  • Le Jaonnet Bay

    BeacheSouth coast, around St Martin

    Head to Le Jaonnet Bay on the south coast around St Martin.

    • This is the trickiest of the listed southern coves to access.

  • Chateau des Marais nature reserve

    Wildlife

    Accessible 24 hours

    Visit the nature reserve surrounding Chateau des Marais, also called Ivy Castle.

  • Sausmarez Manor Subtropical Gardens and Artpark

    More to doSt Martin

    Year-round; daily 10AM–5PM

    Visit Sausmarez Manor on Route de Sausmarez in St Martin for the gardens and sculpture trail.

    • Cost: Gardens and Artpark: adult £6, student £4, child £3.

  • Royal Guernsey and L’Ancresse golf course

    More to doNorth tip of Guernsey

    Head to the north tip of the island, where Royal Guernsey Golf Club and L’Ancresse share a course.

  • Golf19

    More to doSt Pierre Park Hotel

    Find Golf19 at St Pierre Park Hotel.

  • La Grande Mare golf

    More to doVazon Bay

    Head to La Grande Mare at Vazon Bay. The golf course is part of the hotel there.

Airports, metros and trains in Guernsey

Airports with scheduled flights

  • ACIAlderney AirportSaint Anne
  • GCIGuernsey AirportSaint Peter Port

People and safety in Guernsey

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 6 of 10 countries can visit Guernsey easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required6
  • Visa required4

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe2 of 2 countries
  • Oceania1 of 1 countries
  • Americas2 of 3 countries
  • Africa1 of 2 countries
  • Asia0 of 2 countries

Questions

Is Guernsey part of United Kingdom?

Guernsey is a territory linked to United Kingdom, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United Kingdom.

Does a United Kingdom visa let me visit Guernsey?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United Kingdom may not cover Guernsey. Check the Guernsey visa page for your passport.

Is Guernsey part of the UK?

Guernsey is a Crown Dependency and is not subject to UK Parliament or UK taxation. The UK handles its defence and most international affairs.

Will I be able to speak English?

Yes. English is overwhelmingly the main spoken language.

Can I arrive by ferry with a car?

Yes. Brittany Ferries carries vehicles from Poole, Portsmouth, St Malo and Jersey.

Can I get around by bus?

Buses cover most island roads and meet at St Peter Port. You need a day pass for an island tour on routes such as 91 or 92.

Can I spend Guernsey pounds in the UK?

Guernsey pounds are not accepted in the UK. Change them for UK pounds before leaving the islands.

Where can I find sandy beaches?

The north and west have flat, sandy beaches. Eastern beaches are rocky, while the south has small coves beneath cliffs.

What local food tradition should I try?

Try a cream tea at a café or take one to the beach. Places serving them include Victoria Cafe and kiosks at Saint's Bay, Port Soif and Portelet Bay.

Do I need travel health insurance?

Yes. The source says you must have personal travel health insurance because medical treatment must be paid in full.

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