Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Guernsey Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Guernsey – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G
Type G:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: | Pound Sterling (GBP) |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Guernsey, especially in tourist areas and larger businesses. Credit cards and mobile payments are commonly used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not mandatory in Guernsey, but a 10% tip is appreciated in restaurants for good service. Taxi drivers may expect small tips for good service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally not allowed in Guernsey, with alcohol consumption typically taking place in licensed establishments such as pubs and bars. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces in Guernsey, including restaurants, bars, and public transport. |
| Liberation Day (9 May) |
Celebrates the liberation of Guernsey from German occupation |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
Widely celebrated across the island |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 999 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | TaxiLink |
| Other: | Guernsey is a British Crown dependency located in the English Channel, known for its natural beauty, historic sites, and mild climate. The island has a rich history and offers numerous outdoor and cultural activities. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Guernsey, Guernsey
Many hotels, cafes, ferry and boat services reduce hours or close November to March, main season May to September
Strong tides, up to 10 m, expose beaches and rocks; check tide times, and some beaches vanish at high tide
Ferries and flights are weather- and fog-dependent, delays are most common in winter
Don't miss
- 🌊 Walk along the cliffs of the south coast path
- 🏰 Explore Castle Cornet and its maritime museums
- 🚶♀️ Stroll through St. Peter Port’s charming harborfront
- 🏖️ Relax on the golden sands of Vazon Bay
- 🌿 Visit the serene Sausmarez Manor and gardens
- ⛴️ Take a day trip to tiny Sark Island
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Guernsey?
What makes Guernsey truly special is its remarkable diversity of experiences in such a small area. The island boasts over two dozen beaches ranging from the flat sandy stretches of the north and west to the secluded rocky coves of the south coast that once inspired Renoir's paintings. History buffs will be fascinated by the island's layered past, from ancient Neolithic sites to medieval castles, Victorian mansions and the sobering remnants of German occupation during World War II. Beyond the natural beauty and historical sites, Guernsey offers a distinctive cultural experience with its blend of British and Norman-French influences evident in local cuisine, architecture and even place names. The absence of VAT makes shopping attractive, while the island's size means you can easily explore most highlights in a few days. However, travelers should be aware that while summer brings pleasant temperatures, the weather can be unpredictable year-round with sudden rain showers. Additionally, the island's popularity with day-trippers means some attractions can get crowded during peak season.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Guernsey Literary Festival
-
Guernsey Heritage Festival
-
Guernsey Food Festival
-
Liberation Day (May 9)
-
Guernsey Autumn Walking Festival
-
Seafront Sundays
-
Guernsey Marathon
-
Tennerfest Food Festival
-
Christmas Markets
-
Guernsey Summer Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Bring a passport; it’s not part of the UK.
- Use pounds sterling; cards work widely, but carry some cash for buses and small cafés.
- Base yourself in St Peter Port, then explore by bus, bike or scenic coastal walks.
- For a quieter day, take the short ferry to car-free Sark and rent bikes there.
How to travel to Guernsey
Most visitors arrive in Guernsey either by air or sea. Guernsey Airport connects to several UK cities and European destinations, with flights from London taking about an hour. Airlines serving the island include Aurigny, British Airways and Blue Islands. Alternatively, ferry services operated by Condor Ferries connect Guernsey to Poole (3 hours) and Portsmouth (7 hours) in England, St. Malo (1 hour) in France and Jersey (1 hour). Manche Iles Express also offers seasonal passenger-only services from Normandy, particularly Diélette. All ferries arrive at St. Peter Port harbor, which is within walking distance of the town center.
Access summary
- From UK/France: short flights into Guernsey Airport (GCI) near St Peter Port.
- From nearby Channel Islands: frequent ferries and small planes via Jersey connections.
- Aurigny based here; no major global alliance, mainly regional European services.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Guernsey
Accommodation in Guernsey ranges from luxury hotels and boutique guesthouses to self-catering cottages and campsites. St. Peter Port offers the widest selection of hotels and is convenient for exploring, while coastal areas feature beach hotels with stunning views. The island has several high-quality spa hotels for those seeking relaxation, particularly around St. Martin and St. Pierre Park. Prices tend to be moderate by UK standards but rise significantly during summer months, so booking ahead is essential from June to September.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Guernsey
Getting around Guernsey is straightforward due to its compact size. The public bus network covers most of the island with all routes converging on St. Peter Port. Buses charge a flat fare of £1 (£1) per journey or you can purchase a day pass for £5 (£5) (£8.50 (£8.50) for two days) to explore more extensively. Routes 91 and 92 circumnavigate the island, making them perfect for sightseeing. Renting a car gives more flexibility, though be aware that narrow roads and limited parking can be challenging. Cycling is popular with bike rentals widely available and the island's size makes it manageable to explore on two wheels. For a unique experience, Le Petit Train offers sightseeing tours around St. Peter Port.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 50% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
This place also uses Pound Sterling, so no money exchange necessary.
Travel costs (Data for Saint Helier, United Kingdom - 45 km away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Guernsey is extremely safe with very low crime rates. The main safety concerns relate to natural hazards like slippery coastal paths and strong tides at certain beaches. Always check tide times when visiting Lihou Island to avoid being stranded by rising water.
Health & Medical
Healthcare in Guernsey is excellent with good medical facilities. The Princess Elizabeth Hospital in St. Peter Port provides comprehensive services. Visitors from the UK should bring their NHS medical cards, while other nationalities should have travel insurance as medical care can be expensive.
Accessibility
Accessibility in Guernsey presents challenges due to its historic nature and terrain. St. Peter Port has cobbled streets and hills, while many natural attractions involve uneven paths. Some attractions like Castle Cornet have limited wheelchair access, but major hotels and newer facilities are generally accessible.
Tap water
Tap water in Guernsey is safe to drink and of good quality. Public water fountains are available in St. Peter Port and some beach areas. Bottled water is widely available but unnecessary unless you have specific preferences.
Packing recommendations for Guernsey
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🧥
Waterproof jacket
👀
Binoculars
for birdwatching
🕶️
Sunglasses
🩱
Swimwear
🏖️
Beach towel
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
for changeable weather
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
Related articles & guides for Guernsey
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