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City guide

Guernsey

Guernsey is the second-largest island in the Channel Islands, located 27 miles (43 km) west of the Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy. It is the largest island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which includes five other inhabited islands – Alderney, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou and Sark – and many small islets and rocks.

Type RegionPopulation 63,950

Why go

  • English Channel island near Normandy.
  • Served by Guernsey Airport (GCI).

History

Guernsey is the second-largest island in the Channel Islands, located 27 miles (43 km) west of the Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy. It is the largest island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which includes five other inhabited islands – Alderney, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou and Sark – and many small islets and rocks. The bailiwick has a population of 63,950, the vast majority of whom live on Guernsey, and the island has a land area of 24 square miles (62 km2).

Airports

Jersey Airport (JER) 40 km to the centre
St. Peter, U, JE — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 10 airlines (Flybe, Skynet Airlines, easyJet, Air Berlin…) · direct flights to 30 destinations incl. Cardiff, Guernsey, Glasgow, London, Manchester… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 10 airlines, 30 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Guernsey Airport (GCI) 3.4 km to the centre
Saint Peter Port, G, GG — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 4 airlines (Aurigny Air Services, Flybe, Skynet Airlines, Air Berlin) · direct flights to 14 destinations incl. Jersey, Southampton, Alderney, Amsterdam, Birmingham… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 14 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Alderney Airport (ACI) 38 km to the centre
Saint Anne, A, GG — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Aurigny Air Services) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Guernsey, Southampton (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

St Peter Port Harbour
Ferry terminal · 3.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Condor Ferries Vehicle Check-In
Ferry terminal · 3.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Masline Harbour
Ferry terminal · 18 km from the centre
Outdoor
Guernsey - Herm
Ferry route
Outdoor
Guernsey - Sark
Ferry route
Outdoor
Guernsey - Alderney
Ferry route
Outdoor
Guernsey (GBG) - Jersey (GBJ)
Ferry route · Condor Ferries
Outdoor
Guernsey - Diélette
Ferry route
Outdoor
Saint Malo (F) - St. Peter Port (GBG)
Ferry route · Condor Ferries
Outdoor
Poole (UK) – Guernsey (GBG)
Ferry route · Condor Ferries
Outdoor
Guernsey (GBG) - Portsmouth (UK)
Ferry route · Condor Ferries
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Guernsey Airport (GCI). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: GCI has direct flights to 14 destinations on 4 airlines (incl. Jersey, Southampton, Alderney, Amsterdam, Birmingham…). By water: 3 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: St Peter Port Harbour, 3.7 km); routes include Guernsey - Herm, Guernsey - Sark, Guernsey - Alderney.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Guernsey. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.