How To Get To The Channel Islands & Travelling Between Gurnsey and Jersey

How To Get To The Channel Islands

Getting to the Channel Islands is fairly straightforward, but it does take a bit more planning than a typical European trip. Most people travel via the UK, with Jersey and Guernsey as the main entry points.

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more here.

Flying

The easiest and most common way to get to the Channel Islands is by flying.

You’ll find regular flights from London and other major UK cities into both Jersey and Guernsey, with airlines like British Airways, easyJet and Blue Islands operating routes. Flight time is usually around 45 minutes to 1 hour from London.

If you’re coming from further away, the simplest option is to fly into London first, then take a short connecting flight to either island.

Route	Airline	Flight Time	Frequency	Best Time
London → Jersey	British Airways, easyJet, Blue Islands	~1 hr	Daily (multiple flights)	Year-round
London → Guernsey	British Airways, Blue Islands, Aurigny	~1 hr	Daily	Year-round
Manchester → Jersey	easyJet, Blue Islands	~1 hr 20	Regular (more in summer)	Spring – Summer
Manchester → Guernsey	Blue Islands, Aurigny	~1 hr 20	Regular (seasonal increase)	Spring – Summer
Birmingham → Jersey	Jet2, Blue Islands	~1 hr 10	Seasonal	Summer
Southampton → Guernsey	Aurigny	~45 mins	Frequent	Year-round
Exeter → Jersey	Blue Islands	~1 hr	Regular	Year-round
Dublin → Jersey	Aer Lingus (seasonal)	~1 hr 30	Seasonal	Summer

Ferry

Ferries are another option, especially if you’re already travelling through southern England or France.

From the UK, ferries run from ports like Poole and Portsmouth, with Condor Ferries being the main operator. From France, you can travel from St Malo or Granville.

Travel time varies depending on the route, but you’re generally looking at around 1 to 4 hours. It’s slower than flying, but a good option if you prefer a more relaxed journey or want to bring a car.

Route	Operator	Travel Time	Frequency	Best Time
Poole → Jersey	Condor Ferries	~4 hrs	Daily (more in summer)	Spring – Summer
Poole → Guernsey	Condor Ferries	~3 hrs	Daily (more in summer)	Spring – Summer
Portsmouth → Jersey	Condor Ferries	~8–10 hrs (overnight)	Several times weekly	Year-round
Portsmouth → Guernsey	Condor Ferries	~7–9 hrs	Several times weekly	Year-round
St Malo → Jersey	Condor Ferries	~1 hr	Frequent (daily in peak)	Spring – Autumn
St Malo → Guernsey	Condor Ferries	~2 hrs	Regular (seasonal increase)	Spring – Autumn
Granville → Jersey	Manche Iles Express	~1.5 hrs	Seasonal (Apr – Sep)	Summer
Granville → Guernsey	Manche Iles Express	~2 hrs	Seasonal (Apr – Sep)	Summer

Stay Connected in the UK

Skip the airport SIM queues — I use eSIMs when I travel so I’m connected the moment I land.

This may contain affiliate links. Learn more.

Jersey or Guernsey – Where To Start

If you’re deciding between the two, Jersey is usually the easiest place to start. It’s slightly larger, has more flight options, and is a bit more built up with more accommodation and transport choices.

Guernsey feels quieter and a little more laid back, but is still easy to reach and works just as well as a starting point if flights suit better.

Getting Between the Islands

Once you’re there, it’s easy to travel between islands by ferry or as part of a guided tour, which can be a really good option if you want everything organised for you.

Condor Ferries and local operators run regular routes between Jersey, Guernsey and some of the smaller islands like Sark and Herm. Travel times are short, usually between 20 minutes to an hour depending on the route.

You’ll also find tours that include transport between islands, along with guided stops and local insights. I like to look at these when planning, especially if I want to fit more into a shorter trip without having to organise everything separately.

If you have the time, it’s definitely worth visiting more than one island. Each one feels quite different, and that’s part of what makes the Channel Islands such a good trip.

Quick Tip: If you’re travelling in summer, book flights and ferries early. It’s a popular time to visit, and options can sell out faster than you’d expect.

Things To Do In The Channel Islands When You’re There

The Channel Islands are the kind of place where the experiences really shape your trip. From coastal walks and quiet beaches to historic sites and island hopping, there’s a good mix of things to see and do without it feeling rushed. It’s easy to explore at your own pace, and just as easy to build in a few tours or day trips if you want something more structured.