From the airport to the city centre Channel Islands

Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey each have a well-equipped, modern airport. You'll be pleasantly surprised. A few airlines serve Jersey and Guernsey, often with a stopover in London, Birmingham or Southampton, for flights departing from Paris (average cost €250-400). There are also inter-island connections between these three airports.

Jersey's airport is at Saint-Peter. Cabs to the center of Saint-Hélier cost between £15 and £20. You should also know that the No. 15 bus runs very frequently (on average every 15 minutes) from the airport to the center of Saint-Hélier for £2.70.

In Guernsey, it's at Forest. By cab, it will cost you around £15 to reach the center of Saint-Peter-Port. Bus no. 91 runs very frequently (every 15 minutes on average) from the airport to the center of Saint-Peter-Port for the modest sum of £1.50.

In Alderney , cabs are available for passengers arriving by plane, if you're too busy to walk into town or if the weather is stormy. The journey takes 5 minutes and costs around £10.

Arrival by boat Channel Islands

Of course, the Channel Islands are easily accessible by boat from either France or England. From France, Condor Ferries (www.condorferries.fr) offers crossings to Jersey and Guernsey from Saint-Malo, and crossings between Jersey and Guernsey. Manche Îles Express (www.manche-iles.com/fr/) links the Manche department (Granville, Carteret, Diélette) with Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. Landings are located in the island capitals.

Please note that while boats are the preferred means of inter-island travel in high season, in winter, cancellations are frequent in the event of bad weather, and air travel is preferred. Herm and Sercq, which have no airport, are only accessible by boat. Local shipping companies offer round trips to these islands all year round. In low season, therefore, it's not uncommon to get stuck on an island due to weather conditions.

Public transport Channel Islands

Bus. A practical and picturesque way to discover Jersey and Guernsey (there are no bus routes on the other three islands, Herm, Sark and Alderney). On both islands, buses quickly connect the airport with the town center and all villages or points of interest. The system is really easy to understand and use. You can buy tickets directly from the driver, or purchase packages or magnetic cards covering several journeys. In Guernsey, the ticket has a single, very low price (£1.50), which covers the entire journey, whatever it may be. In Jersey, the same applies (£2.70). On each of these two islands, a dozen lines serve the main points of the coast in around 30 minutes. They are punctual, so be sure to check the timetable. Bus maps and timetables are available from the bus stations in Saint-Hélier and Saint-Peter-Port and from tourist offices. Please note, however, that bus stops are not always signposted in more remote areas. The word "BUS" is painted in white on the road.

Bike, scooters & co Channel Islands

Cycling, whether classic or electric, is an excellent way to discover the islands! While electric bikes are preferred on the vast islands of Jersey and Guernsey, mechanical bikes are more than sufficient on the other islands. Otherwise, respect the road signs and don't ride on the sidewalks. Even if theft is very rare, be sure to secure your bike when parking. Turn on your lights when it gets dark. Your bike can be delivered to your accommodation, or your hotel can reserve it for you before you arrive. Scooters can also be hired (French driving license required).

With a driver Channel Islands

A sufficient number of cabs are waiting outside every airport and port. Just wave to the driver. Where vehicles are prohibited, as on Sark, a tractor-drawn trailer provides the link between the port and the village. Cabs are generally quite expensive: in Jersey, a one-way fare from the airport to Saint-Hélier costs around £20; in Guernsey, from the airport to Saint-Peter-Port, £10/£15; in Alderney, from the airport to the town center, £10.

By car Channel Islands

Cars are only allowed in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. Before taking to the roads, it's a good idea to check your knowledge of the local code, which may seem completely foreign to you. If you rent a car locally, you must be over 21 and under 75 years of age, have held your license for more than a year and not have had a driving ban in the last five years.
If you bring your own vehicle, don't forget to affix your nationality plate to the rear. Drive carefully and moderately, as the roads are narrow and it's not uncommon to come across a pedestrian or horse rider. Be careful! On small roads, signposts can be few and far between. If you get lost, stay calm. All roads lead to the sea..

Traffic rules and parking

Here are a few useful pointers to help you avoid problems when driving on site. French-language brochures are available free of charge from tourist offices.

Don'tforget to drive on the left!

The vehicle coming from the right has priority.

Alcohol: don't drink and drive. If your blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit, you must appear in court, even if the excess is slight. The penalty is a £2,000 fine and loss of driver's license.

Seatbelts are compulsory, both front and rear, as are booster seats for children under 7.

The speed limit is 35 mph, or, to be precise, 56 km/h in Jersey and 50 km/h in Guernsey. In some areas, the speed limit is 35 km/h. Near towns, the speed limit is 25 mph, or 40 km/h. Rental cars have a double dial on the dashboard, indicating speed in both mph and km/h.

Cars are not allowed on the beaches.

Indications on the ground are a little different from those on the mainland, and deserve a little explanation: a yellow line along the shoulder means that it is absolutely forbidden to stop; at a crossroads, a yellow stripe across the carriageway is a stop sign, indicating that you must give way. At major junctions, the " Filter in turn " sign invites drivers to take it in turns to join the flow of traffic. No vehicle has priority over another. Be very careful, and don't try to force your way through!

Formalities. To bring your own vehicle, you'll need an insurance certificate or an international green card, the vehicle registration document, and your driving license (national or international). No photocopies will be accepted. And don't forget to stick an F (or B, CH...) sticker on the back of your car.

Parking. A yellow stripe indicates that parking is prohibited day and night, on pain of a fine. Wherever you see the "P" symbol, payment is made using a Paycard, which you can obtain from the tourist office or any supermarket. It's not always easy to use. You have to scratch off the date, day and time of arrival, and deposit as many cards as you need. At parking lot entrances, the number of units per hour or the number of parking hours allowed is clearly indicated. Don't you dare cheat. Here, the police are equipped with digital cameras and will take a snapshot of your car (with plate number clearly visible) in flagrante delicto. It's hard to argue..

Accessibility Channel Islands

Buses can accommodate people with disabilities. As can some cabs, ferries and inter-island boats, which can accommodate everyone.