Channel Islands currency and money: what you need to know
Which currency do I need for the British Channel Islands?
The British Channel Islands use Pound Sterling (GBP). Jersey issues its own Jersey pound notes and Guernsey issues Guernsey pound notes — both are exactly at par with GBP and spend freely within each island. The critical point: Jersey and Guernsey notes are NOT accepted in the UK mainland, so spend them before you leave or exchange them at the port. Cards are widely accepted everywhere except Sark, which is largely cash-only.
Money in the British Channel Islands: the essentials
The British Channel Islands — Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney — have a straightforward monetary system for most visitors, but with one well-known catch that catches travellers out every year. This guide explains everything: which currency is used, the differences between Jersey and Guernsey notes, where to find ATMs, how widely cards are accepted, tipping culture, and practical budget planning.
The currencies: GBP, Jersey pound and Guernsey pound
Pound Sterling (GBP) is the base currency
All five Channel Islands use Pound Sterling (GBP) as their primary currency. Prices are quoted in pounds, coins in circulation are UK-minted sterling coins, and exchange rates with the euro and US dollar are the same as in the UK.
UK-issued banknotes (Bank of England, Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale, etc.) are universally accepted across all Channel Islands.
Jersey pound (£J)
Jersey issues its own series of banknotes — Jersey pounds — in denominations of £1, £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100. These are legal tender on Jersey and spend exactly as GBP. A £10 Jersey note buys you £10 of goods on Jersey.
However, Jersey notes are not accepted in the UK mainland, Guernsey, Sark, Herm or Alderney. Most UK banks and exchange bureaux will exchange them for a fee, but this is inconvenient.
Practical advice: spend your Jersey pound notes before boarding your return ferry or flight, or exchange them at the Elizabeth Terminal (St Helier) before departure.
Guernsey pound (£G)
Guernsey issues its own banknotes in denominations of £1, £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100. They are accepted throughout Guernsey, Herm, Alderney and Sark (which is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey). They are not accepted in Jersey or in the UK mainland.
The same principle applies: use your Guernsey pound notes before you leave the Bailiwick, or exchange them at St Peter Port Harbour prior to departure.
The key rule: at par but not interchangeable in cash
Jersey and Guernsey pounds are always worth exactly £1 GBP. There is no exchange rate risk. But outside their respective islands, the notes have no practical use — most shops and businesses on the UK mainland will refuse them (they are not obliged to accept them, as they are not Bank of England notes).
Coins are universally UK-minted sterling and travel freely everywhere.
Euros in the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are not part of the eurozone and do not use the euro as a primary currency. However, many businesses in St Helier and St Peter Port — particularly those used to French and European visitors arriving on Condor Ferries and Manche Iles Express — will accept euros at a fixed rate. The rate offered is typically not favourable: you might get £1 for €1.10-1.15 instead of the real exchange rate of €1.15-1.20.
Do not rely on euros. If you are arriving from France and have euros, change them at an ATM or bank on arrival and get pounds. Alternatively, withdraw sterling before you travel. See also how to get to the Channel Islands for ferry routes from France.
ATMs
Jersey
ATMs are plentiful in St Helier — you will find machines on King Street, Queen Street, and around Liberation Square. Out of town, ATMs exist at St Aubin, Gorey, and St Brelade, but are less frequent. Fill up with cash in St Helier if you plan a day trip to the west or east of the island.
Major banks with branches on Jersey: HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds, Barclays, RBS. All operate ATMs that dispense a mix of UK and Jersey pound notes.
Guernsey
St Peter Port has numerous ATMs along the High Street, Market Street and the harbour front. As in Jersey, rural areas have fewer machines. Fill up in town before heading to the Vale, St Saviour or St Martin.
Sark
Important: Sark has no ATMs. The island’s few shops, restaurants and pubs do accept card payments at most (but not all) establishments, but you cannot withdraw cash on Sark. Bring enough cash from Guernsey before boarding the Sark Shipping ferry.
Herm
Herm is owned by the States of Guernsey and managed under a single tenancy agreement. The White House Hotel, the Mermaid pub and the harbour shop accept cards, but there are no ATMs. Cash is useful for smaller purchases. Again, bring what you need from Guernsey before your Travel Trident ferry.
Alderney
St Anne (the main and only town) has ATM machines, but the network is small — one or two machines. The island is small enough that cash goes a long way; most cafes and guesthouses accept cards.
Card payments
Jersey and Guernsey
Card payments (Visa, Mastercard, contactless) are universally accepted in Jersey and Guernsey for almost all purchases — shops, restaurants, hotels, taxis, ferries (for onboard purchases), supermarkets. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported.
American Express acceptance is less reliable outside larger hotels and upscale restaurants.
Sark
Sark is largely cash-operated. Some restaurants and the one hotel accept cards, but horse-drawn carriage rides, bicycle hire and smaller shops typically require cash. Budget for £30-50 in cash per person per day on Sark and do not assume cards will work.
Herm
As above: the main facilities accept cards, but cash is useful. The White House Hotel is fully card-friendly.
Contactless limits and foreign cards
UK contactless limit is £100 per transaction. Foreign cards (EU, US) should work seamlessly — the Channel Islands are on the UK card network. Your bank may charge a small foreign transaction fee depending on your account type.
Notify your bank before travelling if your card is prone to being blocked for international use.
Currency exchange
The best rates are always from ATMs using your home currency card. Avoid airport exchange desks (at Jersey Airport or Guernsey Airport), which offer the worst rates of all.
If you need to exchange cash:
- Post Offices in St Helier and St Peter Port offer competitive rates and no commission for some transactions.
- Banks (HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds) exchange currency, but rates vary.
- Thomas Cook and Moneycorp have desks at both airports — rates are below average.
For euros, the best approach is to exchange before travel (online services like Wise or Revolut offer interbank rates) or to use a travel card at an ATM on arrival.
VAT and tax: a useful oddity
Guernsey has no VAT on goods and services. Jersey has a low Goods and Services Tax (GST) currently at 5%. This makes both islands noticeably cheaper than the UK mainland for some goods:
- Alcohol and tobacco are cheaper than UK prices (though duty-free allowances apply when returning to the UK or EU)
- Luxury goods and electronics: modest saving
- Fuel: significantly cheaper than the UK
This does not mean the Channel Islands are budget destinations overall — accommodation and restaurant meals can be on par with or more expensive than English cities, due to the islands’ isolation and import costs.
Budget planning: what things cost
All prices are approximate 2026 estimates in GBP.
Accommodation
| Type | Price range per room per night |
|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse | £60-95 |
| Mid-range hotel (Jersey/Guernsey) | £110-180 |
| Boutique hotel or coastal hotel | £180-280 |
| Self-catering cottage (per week) | £600-1,400 |
| Sark/Herm hotel | £90-200 (limited options) |
Food and drink
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Coffee | £3-4 |
| Pub lunch (sandwich/ploughman’s) | £12-18 |
| Pub meal (main course) | £16-22 |
| Restaurant dinner (2 courses) | £30-45 per head |
| Fine dining | £70-100 per head |
| Supermarket self-catering dinner | £8-15 per person |
| Pint of local beer (Liberation Ale, Randalls) | £4-5.50 |
Activities and transport
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Guernsey ↔ Sark ferry (return) | £25-35 |
| Guernsey ↔ Herm ferry (return) | £15-20 |
| Jersey bus day rover | £5-7 |
| Guernsey bus day rover | £5-7 |
| Mont Orgueil Castle entry | £12-14 |
| Jersey War Tunnels entry | £16-18 |
| German Underground Hospital (Guernsey) | £12-14 |
For a deeper look at budget travel across all five islands, see Channel Islands on a budget.
Tipping culture
The Channel Islands follow broadly similar tipping norms to the UK mainland:
- Restaurants: 10-12.5% is standard if service has been good. Many restaurants add a service charge (12.5%) automatically — check your bill before adding extra. If service charge is included, an additional tip is not expected.
- Pubs/casual dining: tipping is not obligatory at a bar, though rounding up or saying “and one for yourself” is appreciated.
- Taxis: rounding up to the nearest pound is common; 10% for longer journeys or helpful drivers.
- Hotel porters: £1-2 per bag is customary.
- Tour guides: discretionary; £5-10 per person for a half-day tour is generous.
There is no aggressive tip culture on the islands. Honest service at honest prices is the norm.
Money tips specific to island-hopping
If you are island-hopping the British Channel Islands, keep the following in mind:
- Withdraw sterling (not local notes) where possible, or use card payments — this avoids accumulating Jersey pounds that you cannot spend on Guernsey and vice versa.
- Before leaving Jersey for Guernsey: use up or exchange any Jersey pound notes at the port.
- Before leaving Guernsey for Sark or Herm: draw cash from a Guernsey ATM. Sark has no ATMs.
- Before leaving Guernsey for the UK mainland or France: same rule — spend or exchange Guernsey notes.
- Condor Ferries onboard: card payments accepted for food and drink.
Frequently asked questions — Channel Islands currency and money
Are UK pounds accepted in the Channel Islands?
Yes — UK-issued Bank of England notes are universally accepted across all Channel Islands, alongside local Jersey and Guernsey notes.
Can I use contactless on Sark?
Some Sark businesses accept contactless, but not all. Treat Sark as a primarily cash destination and bring notes from Guernsey before your ferry crossing.
Are euros useful in Jersey and Guernsey?
Some businesses near the ports accept euros at a fixed rate, but the rate is usually unfavourable. Use sterling (GBP) for all purchases.
What should I do with leftover Jersey or Guernsey notes?
Spend them before leaving the island. Alternatively, some UK banks (HSBC, for example, for account holders) will exchange them without a fee. The Post Office in the UK may also accept them for exchange. Do not try to use them in UK shops — you will be refused.
Is it cheaper to book activities in advance or on arrival?
Booking in advance is cheaper for major attractions (Jersey War Tunnels, Mont Orgueil, German Underground Hospital) and for popular tours in summer. Walk-up prices are usually higher, and summer availability for guided tours and boat trips can be limited. See Channel Islands in summer for peak season planning tips.
For broader trip planning, see best time to visit the British Channel Islands, Channel Islands visa and entry, and how to get to the Channel Islands. For seasonal price differences, see Channel Islands in winter and Channel Islands in summer. For multi-island trip cash planning, see the Channel Islands island-hopping guide and Channel Islands weather by month.