Public transport in Jersey: LibertyBus routes and tips for visitors
How does Jersey bus work?
Jersey's bus network is run by LibertyBus. The key tourist routes are: route 15 (airport to St Helier, £2), route 1/2 (St Helier to Gorey and Mont Orgueil, 45 min), route 12/12A (St Helier to St Brelade's Bay, 30 min), route 8 (St Helier to St Ouen's Bay and Plémont, 45-50 min). A 1-day unlimited pass costs about £10. The Avanchi contactless card saves money on regular journeys. Buses run less frequently on Sundays and stop service in the evening.
Getting around Jersey by bus
Jersey is served by LibertyBus, the island’s sole public transport operator since 2013. The network covers most of the main tourist corridors, connecting St Helier town centre to the main beaches, attractions and villages across the island’s 12 parishes. It is not comprehensive — some rural areas and minor lanes have no bus service — but for visitor essentials, it works well and saves the cost of a rental car on many itineraries.
This guide covers every bus route a visitor is likely to need, with journey times, fares, and honest notes on where the network helps and where it lets you down. The British Channel Islands — of which Jersey is the largest — are not the same as Channel Islands National Park in California; see British Channel Islands vs Channel Islands National Park if you arrived here searching for the US islands.
For the question of whether a car is worth the cost, see car rental in Jersey and do you need a car in the Channel Islands.
How the LibertyBus network works
LibertyBus operates a numbered route network across Jersey, with the main routes radiating outward from St Helier Bus Station on Liberation Square. The hub-and-spoke design means most journeys for visitors start and end at the bus station.
Fares
As of 2026, standard adult fares are:
- Single journey: £2.00 (cash, exact fare)
- Avanchi card single: £1.80 (10 % discount)
- 1-day unlimited pass: approximately £10
- 7-day unlimited pass: approximately £32
- Children under 5: free
- Children 5-16: reduced fare
The driver accepts cash (exact change preferred — no change given on some services) or the Avanchi contactless smart card. The Avanchi card can be loaded with money at the bus station, some tourist information points and online. If you are staying 5+ days and plan to use buses regularly, the Avanchi card pays for itself quickly.
The Avanchi card
The Avanchi card is Jersey’s equivalent of an Oyster card — a reloadable contactless smart card. Benefits:
- 10 % discount on single fares
- Automatic daily cap: once you have made enough journeys in a day, no further deductions are made (functions as an automatic day pass)
- Available from St Helier Bus Station and online
For visitors staying a week, the Avanchi card with automatic daily cap is the most economical option. For shorter visits, the single fare or printed day pass is simpler.
Timetable practicalities
- Buses run from approximately 07:00 to 22:00 on main routes
- Sunday and bank holiday services are reduced — typically every 30-60 minutes rather than 15-20 minutes
- There is no overnight bus service
- Timetables are available at St Helier Bus Station and at libertybus.je
- The LibertyBus app (iOS and Android) provides real-time tracking
Important: Jersey’s roads are often congested in summer (July-August), particularly in St Helier and along the south coast. Add buffer time of 10-15 minutes to estimated journey times during peak hours.
Key tourist routes
Route 15 — Airport to St Helier
Journey: Jersey Airport (JER) → St Helier Bus Station
Journey time: 20-25 minutes
Frequency: every 15-20 minutes (peak hours); less frequent evenings
Fare: £2 single
Route 15 is the most important route for visitors arriving by air. It picks up directly outside the arrivals hall at Jersey Airport and goes directly to St Helier. It also calls at some hotels along the route. This is the cheapest and simplest way to get from the airport to town; much cheaper than a taxi (£15-20).
Book a pre-arranged Jersey airport bus transferRoutes 1 and 2 — St Helier to Gorey and the east coast
Journey: St Helier → Five Oaks → Grouville → Gorey (route 1); St Helier → Grouville Common → Gorey (route 2)
Journey time: 35-45 minutes to Gorey
Frequency: every 20-30 minutes (combined, so effectively every 10-15 minutes on the shared section)
Fare: £2 single
Routes 1 and 2 together form the main east coast connection. Gorey is the picturesque fishing harbour at the foot of Mont Orgueil Castle — one of Jersey’s most photographed spots. The bus stops immediately below the castle. For a half-day excursion from St Helier to Mont Orgueil and back, routes 1/2 are perfect. See things to do in Jersey for how to build this into a day.
Routes 12 and 12A — St Helier to St Brelade’s Bay
Journey: St Helier → Millbrook → St Aubin → St Brelade’s Bay
Journey time: 25-35 minutes
Frequency: every 20-30 minutes
Fare: £2 single
St Brelade’s Bay is Jersey’s most popular family beach — a wide, sheltered sandy bay with calm water and plenty of café options. Routes 12 and 12A connect it directly to St Helier in under 35 minutes. Route 12A extends to Corbière Lighthouse on the south-west tip of the island (one of Jersey’s iconic landmarks, accessible on foot from the bus stop). Both routes also call at St Aubin, a charming small harbour village worth a stop.
Route 8 — St Helier to St Ouen’s Bay (west coast)
Journey: St Helier → Millbrook → St Lawrence → St Mary → St Ouen’s Bay
Journey time: 40-50 minutes
Frequency: every 30-60 minutes (less frequent than east coast routes); hourly or less on Sunday
Fare: £2 single
Route 8 is the main access to Jersey’s west coast — the vast, wave-exposed St Ouen’s Bay and, further north, the turn-off point for Plémont Beach. The bus stops at various points along St Ouen’s Bay, allowing you to walk the coast road. However, the last bus back from St Ouen can be early; always check the return timetable before committing to a west coast day out on public transport. For Plémont specifically, there is a seasonal bus service that reaches the car park above the beach — check LibertyBus for the current timetable.
Route 3 — St Helier to Rozel (north-east coast)
Journey: St Helier → Five Oaks → Trinity → Rozel Bay
Journey time: 35-45 minutes
Frequency: every 40-60 minutes
Fare: £2 single
Rozel is one of Jersey’s loveliest small harbours — a handful of houses, a beach café and lobster pots. Route 3 connects it to St Helier, though with lower frequency than the main routes. Worth the trip for a quieter seaside experience.
Route 9 — St Helier to Grève de Lecq (north coast)
Journey: St Helier → St Lawrence → St Mary → Grève de Lecq
Journey time: 35-45 minutes
Frequency: every 60 minutes or less
Fare: £2 single
Grève de Lecq is one of the most sheltered bays on Jersey’s north coast — a sandy crescent backed by a valley woodland. Route 9 is the direct connection but runs infrequently. Check the timetable carefully; missing the last bus from Grève de Lecq could mean a £15-20 taxi back to St Helier.
Key stops and landmarks served by LibertyBus
| Landmark | Route(s) | From St Helier |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey Airport (JER) | 15 | 20-25 min |
| Gorey / Mont Orgueil Castle | 1, 2 | 35-45 min |
| St Brelade’s Bay | 12, 12A | 25-35 min |
| Corbière Lighthouse | 12A | 40-50 min |
| St Ouen’s Bay (surf beach) | 8 | 40-50 min |
| St Aubin village | 12, 12A | 20-25 min |
| Grève de Lecq (north coast) | 9 | 35-45 min |
| Rozel Bay | 3 | 35-45 min |
| Jersey War Tunnels | Taxi or car | Not served directly |
| La Mare Wine Estate | Taxi or car | Not served directly |
| Plémont Beach | Seasonal / 8 | 45-55 min + walk |
What LibertyBus doesn’t cover well
Being honest about the network’s limitations helps plan your trip:
Jersey War Tunnels: the island’s most-visited WWII site sits in St Lawrence parish, and the nearest bus stop is a 20-minute walk from the tunnels on an unlit lane. Most visitors reach the War Tunnels by car, taxi or organised tour.
La Mare Wine Estate: this popular attraction (wine, cider and cider brandy tastings) is in St Mary parish, not served by direct bus. A taxi from St Helier costs about £15-18 one way.
Most of the north coast: the main coastal road between Grosnez Point and Bouley Bay is spectacular cliff walking country but largely unserved by bus. You need a car, bicycle or a willingness to walk from the nearest bus stop.
Evening service: the last buses from many routes depart between 20:00 and 22:00, limiting options for late dinners outside St Helier. If dining in a country restaurant, book a taxi return.
LibertyBus for getting between ferry port and town
Visitors arriving by Condor Ferries at Elizabeth Harbour in St Helier will find themselves in the commercial port, about a 10-15 minute walk from the bus station. There is no direct shuttle, but the walk is flat and clearly signposted. Route 15 does not serve the ferry port. From the bus station, you can connect to your hotel or accommodation.
Tips for using LibertyBus
- Download the app: the LibertyBus app shows real-time departures and allows you to plan journeys. Load it before arriving.
- Check Sunday timetables separately: Sunday services are significantly reduced. Some routes run hourly or not at all.
- Carry £2 coins or load the Avanchi card: although drivers accept notes, exact change speeds things up and avoids awkward moments.
- Know the last bus time: particularly for west and north coast routes. The last bus from outlying areas can be as early as 19:00-20:00.
- Combine with a day pass for value: if you plan two or more return trips in a day (e.g., airport + beach + town centre), the day pass at approximately £10 pays for itself.
Frequently asked questions — Public transport in Jersey
How do I get from Jersey Airport to St Helier by bus?
Take LibertyBus route 15 from directly outside the arrivals hall. Buses run approximately every 15-20 minutes during daytime. The journey takes 20-25 minutes and costs £2 cash. This is significantly cheaper than a taxi (£15-20).
Is there a hop-on hop-off bus in Jersey?
LibertyBus does not operate a tourist hop-on hop-off service in the London or Lisbon model. However, the open-top bus tours (separate from LibertyBus, operated by Island Coach Holidays) run seasonal sightseeing routes covering the east and west coasts — these are a good alternative for first-time visitors who want guided context. The regular LibertyBus network uses standard vehicles.
Can I buy a day pass on the bus?
Yes, LibertyBus drivers sell day passes. You can also buy them at St Helier Bus Station or online via the app.
Does LibertyBus run on Liberation Day (9 May)?
Liberation Day is a public holiday in Jersey, and reduced services run. Check the LibertyBus website for specific timetables around the holiday, as it can be one of the busiest days in St Helier (parade and events).
Are there buses from St Helier to Sark or Herm?
No. Sark and Herm are separate islands reached by ferry from Guernsey, not from Jersey. There are no buses connecting the Channel Islands to each other — only Condor Ferries and Manche Iles Express operate inter-island routes. See how to travel between the Channel Islands.
What is the best bus for families with children going to the beach?
Route 12/12A to St Brelade’s Bay is the most family-friendly option: direct from St Helier, frequent service, calm sheltered beach at the destination, cafés and facilities at the beach end. For a bigger adventure, route 8 to St Ouen’s Bay suits older children and surf enthusiasts.