Getting to Guernsey

Visitors heading for Guernsey will find the options for getting there limited to arriving by air and sea. The island can be reached all year round from a range of locations on mainland Britain, France and continental Europe. Most travellers take advantage of the island's small airport, located near St Peter Port. Gurnseys airport is a busy facility that provides connections with UK cities as well as with limited mainland European destinations.

By air

Located off the southern end of La Villiaze Forrest Road, Guernsey Airport is about three miles from St Peter Port, the islands capital. More than 800,000 passengers pass through the airport each year. A wide range of charter and scheduled flights serve the airport with airlines including Aurigny Air Services, British Airways Express, Flybe and Swiss. The airport also conforms to EU standards for conditions for the disabled. Bus services operate at regular intervals from the airport to most destinations on the island.

Guernsey Airport

Guernsey Airport operates one terminal building with 12 check-in desks and 4 gates. There are good facilities provided both inside the terminal and on the airport grounds, including a currency exchange office and ATM in the terminal as well as post-boxes. Among other facilities are first-aid and a baby and parent room. A new, modern terminal building was completed in 2004 and features many improvements such as accelerated security procedures and roomy waiting areas offering panoramic views of the Guernsey coast.

Cafeterias, bars and a VIP lounge are on hand to offer a nice setting in which to enjoy hot and cold food as well as drinks. A buffet restaurant and bar, The Apron Terrace, is also on the premises and overlooks the apron. For those wishing to get some shopping done while waiting on their flight, a duty free shop, newsagent/tobacconist, gift shop and flower shop all offer a satisfactory range of goods. British Airways and British European provide business class lounges in the terminal for passengers with the appropriate boarding cards. The airport tourist desk can help with any enquiries, open daily from 09:00 to 21:00.

Guernsey Airport transportation

Island Coachways buses number four and number seven operate connections directly to the airport, with both routes running all year round. They connect the airport to most areas of the island. Taxis are also available in front of the arrivals hall. However, it is a good idea to book taxis from the airport in advance and the
central number for the airport taxi rank is: +44 1481 235 283.

By ferry

Car and passenger services are available from the south coast of England to St Peter Port. Choices include travelling by fast car-carrying catamaran (taking just over two hours) or the conventional car ferry, which offers a more leisurely experience and takes about 6 hours 30 minutes. Some ferry services are seasonal and its best to check with the operator. From Weymouth there is a year round fast ferry service, from Poole the fast ferry service operates daily from May to September, while from Portsmouth the conventional ferry service operates all year. For further information, visit the operators website at www.condorferries.co.uk or call them on +44 1202 207 216. There are also ferries from St Malo in France, taking two hours.