Ferry to Channel Islands

When planning your trip with the ferry to Channel Islands, you can take advantage of the regular discounts available to specific passenger categories. The discounts differ from one company to another, but typically you can expect children under 15 or 16 to receive up to 50% off regular ticket price, while infants and toddlers up to 3 years old travel for free or with an 80% discount.

France to the Channel Islands ferries

The year-round and seasonal France - Channel Islands ferry routes connect Saint-Malo, Granville, Cherbourg, Dielette and Barneville-Carteret with Jersey, Alderney and Guernsey. The routes are served by DFDS, Manche Îles Express and Alderney Ferry Services with high-speed ferries.

Saint-Malo - Jersey

The Saint-Malo - Jersey route is served year-round with 4-7 crossings per week that take just under 2 hr. DFDS serves the route with high-speed catamarans, and tickets cost from € 17.

Granville - Jersey

The Granville - Jersey ferry is seasonal, from April to September, with up to 6 weekly crossings. Manche Îles Express operates the route with high-speed ferries that take 1 hr 20 min, while tickets are priced from € 40.75.

Cherbourg - Alderney

The seasonal Cherbourg - Alderney ferry route is usually active from April to September. Alderney Ferry Services usually operates 1-2 weekly crossings with fast boats. The trip takes about 2.5 hr and tickets cost from around € 77.

Dielette - Guernsey

The Dielette - Guernsey crossing runs seasonally, from April to September, with fast ferries by Manche Îles Express. The journey normally takes about 1 hr 20 min and ticket prices start from € 44.5.

Barneville-Carteret - Jersey

You can travel on the Barneville-Carteret - Jersey ferry seasonally, usually from April to September. Manche Îles Express operates the route with high-speed vessels and the journey takes 1 hr 20 min. Ferry tickets are priced from € 40.75.

Ferries from England to the Channel Islands

The UK - Channel Islands ferry routes are operated year-round and seasonally by DFDS, connecting Poole and Portsmouth with Jersey.

Poole - Jersey

The Poole - Jersey ferry route is served seasonally, from April to November, with 2-5 weekly crossings. The journey on high-speed catamarans takes 4.5 hr and tickets are priced from around € 46.4.

Portsmouth - Jersey

The Portsmouth - Jersey route is operated 6 times a week, all year round, by conventional cruise ferries. The ferry trip takes 7 hr 45 min to 12.5 hr, and tickets cost from € 11.

Internal Channels Islands ferries

The seasonal ferry connections between the Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney and Herm are served by Manche Îles Express, Islands Unlimited, Isle of Sark Shipping Company, Alderney Ferry Services and Travel Trident.

Guernsey - Jersey

The Guernsey - Jersey ferry route is served with 2-3 daily crossings by Islands Unlimited and Manche Îles Express. The ferry trip takes around 1 hr 10 min and tickets cost from € 40.76.

Jersey - Sark

The Jersey - Sark ferry route is operated by Manche Îles Express, with up to 3-4 weekly crossings. The journey takes approximately 1 hr 10 min and ticket prices start at about € 30.75.

Guernsey - Sark

The Guernsey - Sark ferry route is served with regular weekly crossings by the Isle of Sark Shipping Company. The trip takes around 55 min, with tickets priced from € 15.84.

Guernsey - Alderney

You can travel from Guernsey to Alderney with weekly ferries by Alderney Ferry Services in around 1.5 hr. Ferry ticket prices start from about € 62.

Guernsey - Herm

The Guernsey - Herm ferry route is served by Travel Trident most days of the week. The ferry trip takes about 20 min and tickets cost from € 18.

• DFDS operates year-round and seasonal crossings from Saint-Malo, Poole and Portsmouth to Jersey.
• Manche Îles Express serves seasonal routes from Granville, Barneville-Carteret and Diélette to Jersey and Guernsey, as well as crossings between Jersey, Guernsey and Sark.
• Islands Unlimited mainly operates the seasonal ferry crossing between Jersey and Guernsey.
• Isle of Sark Shipping Company serves the seasonal route between Guernsey and Sark.
• Alderney Ferry Services operates the seasonal routes from Cherbourg to Alderney and between Guernsey and Alderney.
• Travel Trident serves the seasonal ferry route between Guernsey and Herm.

How much luggage can you take on the ferry to the Channel Islands?

Each ferry operator has its own luggage policy:

• DFDS allows you to bring up to 25 kg of luggage.
• Manche Îles Express allows you to bring up to 20 kg of baggage.
• Islands Unlimited and Alderney Ferry Services allow you to bring as many bags as you can carry onboard yourself.
• Isle of Sark Shipping Company allows you to carry 2 bags of up to 15 kg each, plus 1 piece of hand luggage.
• Travel Trident allows 2 bags for adults and 1 bag for children.

The ferry to the Channel Islands takes around 1.5-2.5 hr from mainland France and 4.5-12.5 hr from England, depending on your port of departure and destination.

The crossings between the Channel Islands typically take 20 min to 1.5 hr.

There are several ferry routes serving the Channel Islands, so the best option depends on which island you’re visiting, where you’re travelling from, your budget and whether you’re bringing a car.

Which is the fastest route to the Channel Islands?

The fastest crossing from the mainland is the seasonal Dielette - Alderney ferry, taking around 55 min to 1 hr 5 min. However, departures are limited, so check that the sailing dates suit your plans.

From the UK, Poole - Guernsey is the fastest option, with high-speed crossings taking around 4.5 hr.

If you’re already in the islands, the shortest trip is Guernsey - Herm, at approximately 20 min.

What is the cheapest ferry route to the Channel Islands?

The lowest starting fare is Portsmouth - Jersey, with tickets from around € 11 for a foot passenger. From France, Saint-Malo - Jersey is another affordable option, with fares starting at about € 17.

Keep in mind that prices vary by season, vessel type and availability, and travelling with a vehicle or a cabin increases the total cost.

Which port of departure should I choose?

When planning your trip on the Channel Islands ferry, choose a port that is convenient to reach and offers crossings to your preferred island:

• Poole is a good choice if you’re travelling from Dorset or south-west England and prioritise speed. High-speed ferries serve Jersey and Guernsey, with vehicle transport available.
• Portsmouth is worth considering if you’re coming from London or south-east England, looking for a lower fare to Jersey, or prefer a conventional ferry.
• Saint-Malo is a convenient gateway from Brittany, with crossings to Jersey and Guernsey. It is also an option for travelling with a car.
• Granville, Barneville-Carteret or Diélette are useful alternatives if you’re staying in Normandy and travelling without a car. Cherbourg also offers seasonal passenger crossings to Alderney.
• Guernsey is a practical base for onward trips to Herm, Sark and Alderney. Jersey also offers seasonal connections to Guernsey and Sark.

What other factors should I consider?

• Seasonality: most ferry routes generally concentrate on spring and summer, while services from Saint-Malo and Portsmouth operate year-round. Book early for summer travel and check winter timetables carefully.
• Travel time versus price: compare the full journey cost, including travel to the departure port. A cheaper ticket may involve a much longer crossing. High-speed ferries can also carry cars on some routes, so check the specific service.
• Departure times: some connections run only on selected days. Check both outward and return sailings before booking accommodation, particularly for island-hopping trips. Tides and weather can affect schedules.
• Vehicles: plan to explore Sark and Herm without a car, as both islands are car-free.
• Luggage and pets: check your operator’s allowances before booking. Policies differ considerably: Manche Îles Express does not allow pets, while Alderney Ferry Services accepts dogs booked in advance.

You can only bring vehicles on the DFDS ferries from Saint-Malo, Portsmouth and Poole. The other operators mainly offer foot-passenger services and their ferries do not have car decks for vehicle transportation.

Make sure you bring along your driving licence, as well as vehicle registration and insurance documents.

How much does it cost to bring my car to the Channel Islands?

The exact cost depends on the vehicle type, route and travel dates, with starting prices ranging from €60 to €115 for a car, €30 to €40 for a motorcycle and €70 to €140 for a caravan or motorhome.

Can I take my caravan on the ferry to the Channel Islands?

Yes, you can bring a caravan with you on the Channel Islands ferry from Saint-Malo, Portsmouth and Poole.

Ferries to the Channel Islands range from conventional cruise ships with cabins and dining facilities to high-speed catamarans with comfortable lounges, cafés and shops. On shorter inter-island trips, facilities are simpler, with ferries generally featuring indoor seating and sun decks. What’s available depends on your route and vessel.

Are there cabins on the ferries?

Yes, you can book a cabin on the Stena Vinga by DFDS, which serves the Portsmouth - Jersey ferry route. Typically, you can choose between:

• Standard inside cabins
• Sea-view cabins
• Accessible cabins with adapted bathroom facilities
• Pet-friendly cabins

Book early if you need a pet-friendly or accessible cabin.

Note: cabins are not available on other ferry routes from the UK and France, or inter-island crossings.

How much is a cabin on the ferry?

Prices for cabins on the Portsmouth - Jersey ferry start at around €104.

What type of seats can you book

Your seating options depend on the route and operator, with the ferries generally having indoor and outdoor seating areas. Seats on standard tickets are unnumbered and unallocated, so you choose where to sit when boarding.

Can I travel first class?

Yes, DFDS and Islands Unlimited offer upgrades to a premium indoor lounge, which also includes complimentary drinks and snacks.

Accessibility

All operators offer boarding and disembarkation assistance upon request and prior notification before your journey. Generally, the accessibility features differ between vessels and operators.

On the larger conventional cruise ferries, there are usually ramps and lifts between decks, adapted seating and amenities in common areas, and accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities. The smaller ferries and catamarans are designed for speedy inter-island trips and accessibility features are limited, so we recommend contacting the ferry company for further details.

Can you take pets on the ferry to the Channel Islands?

You can bring your pet on the Channel Islands ferry operated by DFDS, Islands Unlimited, Isle of Sark Shipping Company, Alderney Ferry Services, and Trident Travel. Include your pet in the booking and check any charges and travel-document requirements.

Manche Îles Express does not allow pets.

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

The pet accommodation depends on the route, operator and vessel:

• DFDS: you can keep your pet in the pet-friendly lounge, book a pet-friendly cabin (for up to 2 pets) or your pet can stay in your vehicle.
• Isle of Sark Shipping Company: dogs must stay on a lead or in a suitable carrier, while other small pets must remain in a carrier.
• Alderney Ferry Services: you can keep pets beside you indoors.
• Islands Unlimited: you can keep pets in a suitable carrier at a designated pet-friendly area.
• Trident Travel: pets are welcome onboard but must remain on a leash or a carrier.

Important: if you opt to keep your pet in your vehicle, make sure you leave a window ajar for the trip.

Is there Wi-Fi on the ferries?

Free Wi-Fi is generally available on DFDS ferries to the Channel Islands. The amenities on the vessels operated by the other operators on shorter routes are more basic and typically do not include Wi-Fi.

Food and entertainment

The food and entertainment options depend on the operator and vessel.

• On DFDS ferries, you will find sun decks, cafeterias, onboard shops, children’s play areas and a digital treasure hunt.
• Manche Îles Express ferries have outdoor decks, a snack bar and a duty-free shop.
• On the shorter Channel Islands ferry routes, the onboard amenities are simpler, with most ferries having seating on outer decks and snack bar.

The Channel Islands are served by 5 principal ferry harbours, connecting Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney and Herm with the mainland and each other.

How many ports do the Channel Islands have?

For passenger ferry travel, the main ports are St Helier in Jersey, St Peter Port in Guernsey, Maseline Harbour in Sark, Braye Harbour in Alderney and Herm Harbour. These are the principal ferry gateways rather than a list of every harbour in the islands.

Note: Rosaire Steps on Herm provides an additional landing point at low tide.

Where are the Channel Islands ports?

• Jersey: the port of St Helier is beside the island’s capital, within walking distance of the town centre.
• Guernsey: St Peter Port is on the island’s east coast, alongside the town centre. Smaller island services may use the Inter-Island Quay or nearby boarding points around the Weighbridge, depending on the service and tide.
• Sark: Maseline Harbour is on the east coast, below Harbour Hill and beside Creux Harbour.
• Alderney: Braye Harbour is in Braye Bay, close to Braye Beach. Alderney Ferry Services normally boards passengers near the Alderney Sailing Club, although the docking point can change.
• Herm: ferries from Guernsey use Herm Harbour at high tide and Rosaire Steps at low tide. The two landing points are approximately 8 min apart on foot.

How to get to the Channel Islands ports

• Jersey: you can reach the harbour areas on foot from the town centres, by taxi or using local buses followed by a walk. Jersey’s Liberation Station is a 10-min walk from Elizabeth Terminal.
• Guernsey: from the town centre, you can get to the port on foot, by car, taxi or bus. Allow time to reach the specific quay shown on your booking rather than heading straight to the main ferry terminal.
• Alderney: you can easily reach Braye Harbour by walking, taxis and hired cars or bicycles.
• Sark: the island is car-free, so you can walk down Harbour Hill or take the tractor bus from outside the Bel Air Inn, 30 min before each ferry departure.
• Herm: you can reach the harbour or Rosaire Steps on foot. Make sure you check the day’s timetable to confirm which landing point your ferry uses.

What documents do I need?

The documents you need depend on your departure point, nationality and ferry operator. The Channel Islands are Crown Dependencies, rather than part of the UK, but belong to the Common Travel Area (CTA). Crossings from France are international journeys with immigration checks.

• From the UK or between the islands: carry original photo identification accepted by your operator. A passport is not normally required for British and Irish citizens travelling within the CTA, but other passengers should also carry evidence of their immigration permission where relevant.
• From France: you generally need a valid passport, plus a visa or electronic travel authorisation (ETA) if required for your nationality. British and Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement.
• French nationals visiting Jersey for the day: a valid French national ID card may be accepted for a direct day-return trip with a participating ferry operator, including Manche Îles Express.

How to book ferry tickets

You can easily book ferry tickets to the Channel Islands on Ferryhopper in just a few clicks:

• Select Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney or Herm as your destination, along with your port of departure and travel dates.
• Add passengers, pets, and vehicles.
• Compare ferry operators, travel times, and ticket prices.
• Complete your booking securely online.

Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive your ferry tickets by email. Ferryhopper lets you manage your booking, check for updates, and access customer support all in one place.

Check-in and boarding procedures

Check-in times depend on the operator and route, so follow your booking confirmation and allow extra time during busy periods.

• DFDS: for Jersey crossings with Poole, Portsmouth and Saint-Malo, arrive 1.5 hr before departure when travelling on foot or 2 hr before departure with a vehicle. Check-in closes 45 min before departure for foot passengers and 1 hr for vehicles and bicycles.
• Manche Îles Express: allow 1.5 hr for check-in, document checks and ticket collection.
• Isle of Sark Shipping Company: collect your ticket at the Guernsey or Sark office at least 25 min before departure, then reach the boarding point at least 15 min before sailing.
• Alderney Ferry Services: arrive 30 min before departure at the designated meeting point. In Alderney, this is normally near the Sailing Club; in Guernsey, near the inter-island pontoon. Check-in in Cherbourg is at Port Chantereyne.
• Islands Unlimited: aim to arrive at least 1 hr before departure, as check-in closes 40 min before sailing.
• Travel Trident: check the day’s departure quay and Herm landing point, as these can vary with the tide. Allow time to collect your ticket before boarding.

Can I board with an electronic ticket?

With DFDS, Islands Unlimited, Manche Îles Express, Alderney Ferry Services, Isle of Sark Shipping Company and Travel Trident, you can book your Channel Islands ferry tickets online on Ferryhopper and pick them up in paper form from the company’s collection points at the port before the trip.

The Channel Islands lie in the English Channel, close to the coast of Normandy, France. Jersey and Guernsey are the largest islands, while Sark, Alderney and Herm offer smaller towns and villages, beaches and coastal walking routes.

Best time to book

For summer holidays and school breaks, book once your travel dates are confirmed, particularly if you’re taking a vehicle or would like a cabin. By booking early, you will benefit from better fares, as prices depend on demand and availability. Check both your outward and return sailings before reserving accommodation.

Important: check the timetable for your exact dates, as some connections operate seasonally, usually from April to October, while year-round services may have fewer departures in winter.

Arrival

Arrival times vary by operator, so always follow your booking instructions:

• DFDS: allow 1.5 hr before departure as a foot passenger and 2 hr with a vehicle.
• Manche Îles Express: arrive at least 1.5 hr before departure for check-in.
• Alderney Ferry Services: arrive at least 30 min before departure.
• Isle of Sark Shipping: collect your ticket at least 25 min before departure and reach the boarding point at least 15 min before sailing.
• Islands Unlimited: allow at least 1 hr before the scheduled departure.
• Travel Trident: arrival time depends on the departure point.

Additional travel tips

• Check your travel documents: for crossings from France, check passport, visa and electronic travel authorisation requirements for your nationality. For travel from the UK, confirm the operator’s identification requirements.
• Leave time between connections: weather and tides can delay or cancel sailings, so avoid tight ferry or flight connections. Check sailing updates before leaving for the harbour.
• Prepare for choppy seas: if you’re prone to seasickness, ask a pharmacist about suitable remedies before travelling.
• Consider a cabin: on longer or overnight DFDS crossings between Portsmouth and Jersey, a cabin gives you somewhere private to rest.
• Check Herm’s return landing point: tides determine whether you board at the harbour or Rosaire Steps, which are around 8 min apart on foot.

Ferry route map

Below, you can see all active ferry connections to Channel Islands, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.