Guernsey

Cliff paths, sheltered bays and a working harbor town, with German Occupation sites and the car-free islands of Herm and Sark a short boat ride away.

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Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands, a Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy in France. It has its own government and laws and is not part of the United Kingdom, though it lies in the British Isles. St Peter Port, the harbor town, is the main arrival point, with steep streets climbing up from the water.

The coast is the main reason to go. Cliff paths run along the island's edge, the bays are small and sheltered, and the German Occupation from 1940 to 1945 left bunkers, fortifications and museums across the island. Herm and Sark, both car-free, are short boat rides away and suit a day trip. Summer brings the longest days and the warmest weather, while spring and early autumn suit walkers who want fewer people on the paths. Two to three days covers the main island, and a longer stay leaves room for the smaller islands.

Guernsey in five

Check whether you need an ETASince 23 April 2026 visa-exempt visitors arriving direct from outside the Common Travel Area need an ETA for Guernsey, and a valid UK ETA counts. Arriving from the UK or Ireland, you need no ETA but do need photo ID.UK ETA explained
Pick Poole for speed, Portsmouth for the long crossingCondor Ferries lists about 3 hours from Poole on the fast ferry and about 7 hours from Portsmouth on the conventional ship. Flights from the UK can take as little as 40 minutes, with fog the usual cause of delays.Guernsey getting here
Time beaches and cliff walks to the tideVisit Guernsey describes a tidal range of about 33 feet, which reshapes the coast every six hours. Check the States of Guernsey tide timetable before you pick a bay or cross to Lihou.Tide timetables
Leave Castle Cornet for 2027The States of Guernsey museums page says Castle Cornet closed on 7 September 2026 for a bridge replacement and is due to reopen in early June 2027. Fort Grey and the Occupation sites fill the gap.How many days
Plan for narrow lanes and a 35 mph limitVisit Guernsey gives a 35 mph maximum on bigger roads, 25 mph near towns and 15 mph on the Ruettes Tranquilles lanes. Parking is free but mostly disc zones, so you need a parking clock.

Things to do in Guernsey

See all attractions in Guernsey

Historic site · GuernseyDehus DolmenAllow around 5 to 10 minutes inside.

Museum · GuernseyHauteville HouseBook a guided tour in advance. Places are limited to small groups.

Museum · GuernseyGuernsey Museum at CandieBook ahead for special exhibitions, which may have separate ticket arrangements.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to GuernseyPut the places you like in Guernsey on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Guernsey Airport (GCI), about 15 minutes by car from St Peter Port
Getting there: Ferry from Poole or Portsmouth, or flights from UK and Irish airports
Getting around: Stagecoach buses (contactless only), hire car, taxis, cycling
Best base: St Peter Port for ferries; the west coast for beaches
Time needed: 3 days; 5 with Herm and Sark

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain18 rainy daysHigh10°Low8°Cool, windy
FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low8°Cool, quiet
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low8°Early spring
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh11°Low9°Spring flowers
MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low11°Walking festival
JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low14°Long days
JulyPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low16°Warm, busy
AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low16°Warm, busy
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low16°Calm, sea warm
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh16°Low14°Autumn walks
NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh13°Low11°Wet, short days
DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh12°Low9°Mild, quiet

Average daily high and low in St Peter Port, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Guernsey

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 6°
Humidity: 73%
Wind: 49 km/h
Chance of rain: 78%

Guernsey

12:57 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+0

Today14°13°78%Tuesday: Rain. High 14°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 78%.
Wed13°11°10%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 10%.
Thu13°11°17%Thursday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 17%.
Fri13°11°25%Friday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 25%.
Sat13°12°30%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 30%.
Sun13°10°33%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 33%.

Updated 09:29 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Hermabout 20 minutes by ferry from St Peter PortA small car-free island with beaches, cliff paths and its own shop and cafes.
Sark30 to 50 minutes by ferry from St Peter PortA car-free island of bikes and carriages that is also a Dark Sky island.
Alderneyabout 1 hour by boat or by airQuiet lanes, forts and birdwatching; the ferry runs March to October.
Jerseyabout 1 hour by Condor fast ferryCondor lists a Guernsey to Jersey sailing, which makes a two-island trip possible without returning to the mainland.Read the guide

Before you go to Guernsey

Island tours and boat tripsHerm, Sark and coast cruisesCompare day trips

Guernsey staysHotels, cottages, guest housesCheck availability

eSIM for GuernseyRoaming charges can apply on UK phonesRead the guide

Insurance for island tripsFog, ferries, no repatriation coverRead the guide

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Rules for Guernsey, checked

ETA required for non-visa nationals arriving direct from outside the Common Travel Area since 23 April 2026; £20, valid 2 years; a UK ETA is valid in Guernsey.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
From the UK or Ireland no passport is needed but photo ID is; arriving from elsewhere, a valid passport is required whatever your nationality.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Condor Ferries: Poole to Guernsey about 3 hours on the fast ferry, daily; Portsmouth about 7 hours, 6 sailings a week April to September.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Castle Cornet closed from 7 September 2026 for bridge replacement and is scheduled to reopen at the beginning of June 2027.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

All Guernsey guides

a boat floating on top of a body of water

Where to stayWhere to stay in Guernsey: four bases, St Peter Port to L'AncresseChecked Oct 4, 2026

How toHow to get to Guernsey: Poole ferry, flights, ETA and photo IDChecked Oct 4, 2026

ItineraryHow many days in Guernsey: 2, 3 and 5-day plans with Herm and SarkChecked Oct 4, 2026

Plan around Guernsey

All of the United Kingdom

How the Crown Dependencies fit the wider trip

Read the guide St Malo

Pair Guernsey with a fast ferry to Brittany

Read the guide UK ETA explained

Who needs one, the fee and how long it lasts

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for fog, ferry delays and island trips

Read the guide

Guernsey FAQ

Is Guernsey part of the UK?

No. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a Crown Dependency in the Common Travel Area with the UK, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Ireland. It has its own government, immigration service and notes and coins, and it is not in the EU or Schengen.

Do you need a passport for Guernsey?

From the UK or Ireland you need photo ID but not a passport. From anywhere else you need a valid passport, and visa-exempt visitors also need an ETA arriving direct from outside the Common Travel Area.

Can you use pounds in Guernsey?

Yes. Guernsey issues its own sterling notes and coins worth the same as UK pounds, and UK and Jersey money also works. Spend Guernsey notes before you leave, since they are not accepted in the UK.

How long is the ferry from Poole to Guernsey?

Condor Ferries lists about 3 hours on the fast ferry Condor Liberation, daily, and calls it the only operator on the route. From Portsmouth the conventional ship takes about 7 hours.

When is the best time to visit Guernsey?

May to September for beaches, boats and long days, with spring and autumn walking festivals for quieter cliff paths. Winter is mild but short on daylight, and some attractions and ferries run reduced timetables.