How to travel between the British Channel Islands: inter-island routes explained
How do I island-hop in the Channel Islands?
Inter-island travel in the British Channel Islands uses three main ferry operators and one airline. Jersey to Guernsey: Condor Ferries fast ferry, about 1 hour. Guernsey to Herm: Travel Trident, 20 minutes. Guernsey to Sark: Sark Shipping, 50 minutes. Guernsey to Alderney: Aurigny flight, 25 minutes, or a summer-only ferry. All routes operate more frequently May to September; some are severely reduced or suspended November to March.
Getting around the British Channel Islands: the basics
The five British Channel Islands — Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney — each require a separate boat or plane to reach. There are no bridges, no tunnels and no shared land mass. Inter-island travel is an adventure in itself: whether you’re watching Jersey’s north coast cliffs recede from the Condor ferry, clambering onto a small wooden jetty on Sark, or flying the 8-minute hop from Guernsey to Alderney in a Britten-Norman Islander.
This guide covers every inter-island route currently operating, with realistic journey times, frequency and seasonal caveats. For getting to the Channel Islands from the UK or France, see how to get to the Channel Islands.
One note on disambiguation: this guide covers inter-island travel within the British Channel Islands — the five Crown Dependencies in the English Channel. For Channel Islands National Park in California, see British Channel Islands vs Channel Islands National Park.
Route 1: Jersey to Guernsey — Condor Ferries
Operator: Condor Ferries
Route: St Helier (Elizabeth Terminal) → St Peter Port (White Rock)
Journey time: approximately 1 hour (fast ferry / Liberation class) or 2.5-3 hours (conventional ferry)
Frequency (summer): 2-3 fast ferry sailings per day
Frequency (winter): 1-2 sailings per day, possible gaps on some days
Price (2026 estimate): foot passengers from £25-40 one way; car from £80-120 one way
Booking: condorferries.com
The Jersey-Guernsey fast ferry is the main inter-island artery. The Liberation class high-speed craft covers the 22 nautical miles in about 60 minutes. In a following wind and calm sea, the crossing is comfortable. In a Force 5+ westerly (common October to March), the journey can be rougher. Condor’s conventional Rapide occasionally covers this route when the fast ferry is in service or on diversion.
Key tips:
- Book ahead for July-August sailings, especially if taking a car
- The 07:00-08:00 departures sell out fast in peak season
- Check the Condor app for live cancellation and delay information
- Condor loyalty card holders earn points on inter-island sailings
For the full ferry route breakdown including Poole and Saint-Malo connections, see the Channel Islands ferry guide.
Book Jersey ferry connections via GetYourGuideRoute 2: Guernsey to Herm — Travel Trident
Operator: Travel Trident
Route: St Peter Port (Albert Pier) → Herm Harbour
Journey time: 20 minutes
Frequency (summer, May-Sep): 7-10 crossings per day
Frequency (winter, Oct-Apr): 1-2 per day, weather-dependent
Price (2026 estimate): adults £8-12 return; children £5-8
Booking: tridentholidays.co.uk or at Albert Pier on the day
The Herm ferry is a cheerful 20-minute hop on a small passenger vessel. Albert Pier in St Peter Port is just ten minutes’ walk from most town-centre hotels. Tickets can usually be bought on the day in season, though the last return sailing fills up quickly in summer (often around 17:00). Check the day’s last departure time before going ashore on Herm.
Key tips:
- Buggies and pushchairs travel free
- Dogs are welcome (on a lead)
- No cars on Herm — foot passengers only
- In winter the service is weather-dependent; email or phone ahead
- The Albert Pier kiosk sells return tickets; buy the return at the same time
For a full Herm day-trip plan, see Herm day trip from Guernsey.
Route 3: Guernsey to Sark — Sark Shipping
Operator: Sark Shipping Company
Route: St Peter Port (Gare Maritime / Albert Pier) → Maseline Harbour (Sark)
Journey time: 50-55 minutes
Frequency (summer, May-Sep): 2 sailings per day (morning and afternoon); additional crossings some days
Frequency (winter, Oct-Apr): 1 sailing 3-4 days per week; sometimes suspended
Price (2026 estimate): adults £20-25 return; children £12-15
Booking: sarkshipping.com or in person at Gare Maritime
The Sark Shipping ferry is one of the most atmospheric crossings in the British Islands. The vessel is a small, classic passenger boat (no cars — Sark bans them entirely). The approach to Maseline Harbour from the sea reveals Sark’s clifftop silhouette, usually with a horse-drawn carriage waiting at the top of the harbour hill.
Key tips:
- Sark’s ferries are heavily weather-dependent. Wind from the south-east can cause cancellations with little notice. Check sarkshipping.com the evening before if weather is uncertain.
- Maseline Harbour has no shelter and few facilities. Arrive early for the return crossing.
- In winter (November to February), the service can drop to 1-2 sailings per week or suspend entirely. Verify before planning a winter Sark overnight.
- There is no ATM on Sark — take enough cash for your stay.
- Carriages and tractors meet each arrival at the top of the hill. The carriage transfer to the main village (La Seigneurie Road) is about 20 minutes.
For full Sark logistics, see Sark day trip from Guernsey and how many days in Sark.
Route 4: Jersey to Sark — Manche Iles Express
Operator: Manche Iles Express
Route: Gorey Harbour (Jersey) → Sark (Maseline or La Grève de la Ville)
Journey time: approximately 1 hour
Frequency (summer): 2-3 times weekly; not daily
Frequency (winter): very limited or suspended
Price (2026 estimate): adults £25-35 return
Booking: manche-iles.com
Manche Iles Express also operates cross-Channel routes from Normandy ports (Granville, Carteret, Diélette) to Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. From Jersey, the Gorey to Sark route runs a few times a week in summer. This is the best option if you want to visit Sark directly from Jersey without routing via Guernsey. Check current schedules carefully — Manche Iles timetables vary seasonally and year to year.
For information about using Manche Iles to get from mainland France to the islands, see how to get to the Channel Islands.
Route 5: Guernsey to Alderney — Aurigny Air Services
Operator: Aurigny Air Services
Route: Guernsey Airport (GCI) → Alderney Airport (ACI)
Journey time: 8-12 minutes (shortest scheduled commercial flight in the British Islands)
Frequency (year-round): 1-3 flights per day depending on season
Price (2026 estimate): from £50-90 one way
Booking: aurigny.com
The Guernsey-Alderney hop is one of the most unusual short flights in Europe. Aurigny operates Islander or Trislander aircraft (small propeller planes carrying 9-18 passengers) on the route. The flights are weather-dependent — fog and low cloud on Alderney can cause significant delays or cancellations. Allow flexibility in your Alderney visit schedule.
Key tips:
- Book direct with Aurigny; third-party booking fees apply elsewhere
- Luggage is strictly limited — 15kg hold bag plus small hand luggage
- The airport is 1.5 miles from St Anne town; taxi or small local bus available
- Fog delays are common in spring and autumn — build an extra half-day buffer into your itinerary
Route 5b: Guernsey to Alderney by ferry (summer only)
The Rockhopper catamaran operates a passenger ferry between St Peter Port and Braye Harbour (Alderney) in the summer months (roughly May to September). Journey time is approximately 1h 20 min. This service is seasonal and not guaranteed year to year — check rockhopper.gg for current schedule.
For the full Alderney logistics guide, see Alderney day trip from Guernsey.
Route 6: Jersey to Alderney
There is no direct scheduled ferry or regular flight service from Jersey to Alderney. The standard routing is:
- Jersey → Guernsey by Condor Ferries (1 hour), then
- Guernsey → Alderney by Aurigny flight (12 minutes)
Total journey time: approximately 2-3 hours including connections. Blue Islands and Aurigny have occasionally operated direct Jersey-Alderney services; check current schedules as these change year to year.
Seasonal summary: when do inter-island routes operate?
| Route | May-Sep | Oct-Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey ↔ Guernsey (Condor) | Daily, 2-3 sailings | Daily, 1-2 sailings |
| Guernsey ↔ Herm (Travel Trident) | Multiple daily | 1-2 per day, weather-dependent |
| Guernsey ↔ Sark (Sark Shipping) | 2 per day | 3-4 days/week, sometimes suspended |
| Jersey ↔ Sark (Manche Iles) | 2-3 per week | Very limited / suspended |
| Guernsey ↔ Alderney (Aurigny) | 1-3 per day | 1-2 per day |
| Guernsey ↔ Alderney (Rockhopper) | Seasonal (check) | Not operating |
The most important planning note: Sark and Herm are effectively summer destinations. If you plan to visit either between November and February, verify current schedules directly with operators before booking accommodation.
Practical planning: building an island-hopping itinerary
The most logical island-hopping sequence is:
- Fly or sail into Jersey (most flight connections from UK)
- 2-3 days in Jersey
- Condor ferry to Guernsey (1 hour)
- Day trip to Herm from Guernsey (Travel Trident, 20 min each way)
- Day trip to Sark from Guernsey (Sark Shipping, 50 min each way)
- 2-3 days in Guernsey
- Aurigny flight to Alderney (if schedule allows; 12 min)
- 1-2 days in Alderney
- Fly home from Alderney via Guernsey, or return to Guernsey and fly home
For a fully planned version of this sequence, see the Channel Islands island-hopping itinerary and Channel Islands 7-day itinerary.
How much does inter-island travel cost?
A typical island-hopping circuit (Jersey → Guernsey → Herm day trip → Sark day trip → Alderney day trip) costs approximately:
| Route | Estimated cost per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Jersey → Guernsey (Condor, fast ferry) | £28-40 one way |
| Guernsey → Herm return (Travel Trident) | £10-14 |
| Guernsey → Sark return (Sark Shipping) | £22-28 |
| Guernsey → Alderney return (Aurigny) | £80-130 |
| Total inter-island transport | ~£140-212 per person |
Ferry prices increase in peak season (July-August). Booking in advance through the operators’ direct websites saves 10-15% compared to day-of ticket purchases. For a full budget breakdown, see Channel Islands on a budget.
Frequently asked questions — How to travel between the British Channel Islands
Do I need a passport to travel between the Channel Islands?
No. Moving between Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney does not require a passport for British citizens, as all are Crown Dependencies within the Common Travel Area. However, you will need photo ID. EU citizens travelling to or from the British Channel Islands still need a passport (not national ID card) since Brexit. For full visa information, see Channel Islands visa and entry.
Can I take my car to Sark or Herm?
No. Sark bans cars entirely — only horses, carriages, bicycles and tractors are permitted. Herm also has no car access. Both are served by foot passenger ferries only.
Are the ferries wheelchair accessible?
Condor Ferries’ Liberation class vessels have wheelchair facilities and accessible toilets. The smaller ferries to Sark, Herm and Alderney are less accessible — Sark’s Maseline Harbour in particular involves a steep, rough path from the jetty. Contact operators directly for current accessibility information.
What happens if a sailing is cancelled?
Condor Ferries will rebook you on the next available sailing or offer a refund. Sark Shipping and Travel Trident generally rebook for the next same-day or following-day sailing. If you have tight onward connections, always build buffer time into inter-island travel days.
Is there a ferry directly from the UK to Sark or Herm?
No. Sark and Herm are only accessible from Guernsey. You must reach Guernsey first (by Condor ferry from Poole or Portsmouth, or by flight) before connecting to these smaller islands.