Planning a visit to the Channel Islands? With breathtaking panoramic views, sumptuous local cuisine, and more sandy beaches than you can shake a stick at, the islands have something for everyone. But what’s the best way to visit the Channel Islands? And what can visitors do when they get there? Let us guide you through the best of the best.
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Best UK flights to Channel Islands
One of the best ways to travel to the Channel Islands is by air. Quick flights from a range of nationwide airports mean you can start your holiday as soon as you can, saving you time and stress. But which is the best one for you?
Aurigny
- Flights to Guernsey from Alderney, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Norwich and Southampton
- Excellent onboard service
- Online check-in
A visit to the Channel Islands is perfect for a relaxing holiday away, a chance to wind down and forget the 9 to 5 of the rat race. With Aurigny, that relaxation starts as soon as you get on the plane.
Aurigny doesn’t market its service as premium, but it certainly feels that way. The cabins are light, roomy and spacious, with ample legroom for even the tallest of passengers. Depending on where you fly from, flights vary from between 30 to 45 minutes. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy something from Aurigny’s in-flight snack service.
The staff offer service with a (genuine) smile, and they’re as polite and helpful as you could ask for. Indeed, the whole flight experience starts to feel like something out of a TV advertisement.
Aurigny only flies to one of the Channel Island’s three airports, Guernsey, meaning you’ll need to grab a ferry if you’re heading further out. Prices for one of Aurigny’s Guernsey flights naturally vary depending on when you book, but summer flights tend to start from around £160 for a round journey in summer. This goes down to roughly £100 for the same in the winter months (but don’t worry: the Channel Islands are just as beautiful in December!)
Start your holiday right with Aurigny for a quick, comfortable, and stress-free flight.
Loganair
- Direct flights from Glasgow to Guernsey
- Online check-in
- Complimentary onboard service
- Clan Loganair loyalty programme
For those of you taking the long flight from Scotland to the Channel Islands (but it’s worth it, trust me), you’ll want to fly Loganair. Between May and September, Loganair operates a direct flight from Glasgow Airport to Guernsey.
Staying true to the time-honoured tradition of Caledonian hospitality, Loganair offers a superb flight experience. As well as a complimentary onboard service of soft drinks, tea, coffee, and snacks, Loganair offers some of the best customer service around. Delays, seat issues, and so on are all handled swiftly and professionally. You can forget the stress as you start your holiday, or continue relaxing at the end of it.
Loganair offers a wide range of fare plans for flyers of any tier. Direct flights generally start at around £130 each way, depending on your arrival and departure date. Although prices are naturally more expensive due to the distance, there are plenty of flexible options to choose from.
It is possible to fly from Edinburgh to both Guernsey and Jersey, although this requires connecting flights at one of England’s regional airports or via London. But Loganair’s direct flight is a true godsend, particularly in the summer months when demand is at a high. For convenience and comfort, it’s well worth choosing Loganair.
Best UK ferries to the Channel Islands
If you want a more luxurious, relaxed journey to the Channel Islands, then you’ll want to travel by ferry. Fantastic views and excellent onboard service mean you can travel the English Channel in comfort.
Condor Ferries
- Ferries from Poole, Portsmouth and Jersey to Guernsey
- Options for cars, trailers, motorbikes, and motorhomes
- A range of seasonal offers and deals
With more than 50 years’ experience of running a ferry service between the Channel Islands and the UK, Condor Ferries knows what passengers expect — and rest assured, it delivers!
Condor Ferries is also the only ferry route operator from the UK mainland to the Channel Islands. It offers a reliable and flexible service that caters to the many needs of its passengers, both island natives and visitors.
Before booking your trip with Condor, we strongly recommend checking out the offers section on its website. Condor frequently provides a range of excellent deals for couples and families, with huge reductions on standard fares. Past offers include a one-way ticket for a car, two adults, and two children for just £52pp; a massive saving of more than £150!
But what about the onboard experience? Rest assured, travelling to the Channel Islands with Condor Ferries is smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. With stunning views of the English Channel and plenty of seating including reclining seats and spacious cabins.
Condor lays on a fine onboard service for its passengers. Each of its three ships offers superb drinking and dining opportunities, from the Liberation’s Island Bar, to the Rapide’s Casquets Bistro. Vegetarians, coeliacs, and children are all well catered for, and those passengers wishing to upgrade to the Ocean Club can enjoy steward service in style.
Ferries to the Channel Islands vary in duration depending on your port of departure. Passengers leaving from Poole can expect a three hour journey, while Portsmouth departures take around seven hours.
JerseyTravel.com
If you’re travelling to the Channel Islands for your holiday, it can be tricky coordinating flights, ferries, and accommodation. If you’re like me and you prefer the hassle-free approach of a package holiday, you’ll want to visit JerseyTravel.com.
Travel, accommodation, and activities are all catered for in one easy-to-use website. Everything from self-catering holidays to luxury guest houses are offered for discerning holidaymakers. Whether you’re after a unique island festival experience or just fancy a luxuriant spa break away, JerseyTravels.com has you covered.
And as if that wasn’t enough, you can take also advantage of a range of last minute holiday deals and special offers exclusive to JerseyTravels.com. Free nights, discounts, half board offers, and family-only deals are all available for holidaymakers who want to leave in six months or even two days time.
I always find planning a holiday a little hectic. Between coordinating travel with available accommodation, it can get a bit tiresome. JerseyTravels.com does the planning for you so you can look forward to your holiday. With a range of deals and special offers available at any time, it’s well worth booking your holiday through JerseyTravels.com.
Best things to do in the Channel Islands
Go wild with watersports
As you might expect, the Channel Islands are perfect for fans of almost every watersport imaginable. Surrounded by gorgeous azure seas, visitors can try their hand at a wide range of activities. Dive into spooky shipwrecks, try your hand at surfing, kayak around majestic rocky outcrops, or simply relax on a sunset yacht cruise. Whatever your style, the Channel Islands has the activity for you.
Beach-hopping as far as the eye can see
Of course, no trip to the Channel Islands would be complete without a trip to one of their many beaches and bays. With at least 37 beaches dotted around the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, and Alderney, visitors will be spoilt for choice.
Start the day with a lazy walk along Port Soif, a quaint little beach right on the edge of town. Later, if you’re feeling up to it, head down the road a little to Vazon Bay for some surfing or swimming. Or, if you just fancy a day at the beach with the family, head to the sandy shores and turquoise waters of Moulin Huet Bay. Whatever mood you’re in, you can bet there’s a beach to match on the Channel Islands.
Take a trip through time
The Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, and the rest are all steeped in a rich and fascinating history. Guernsey’s German Occupation Museum gives visitors an insight into what life was like under Nazi occupation during World War II, and the Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum takes you back in time with tales of pirates and smugglers. Find out more here.
Festival fun for all the family
Whether you’re visiting the Channel Islands in the summer or the winter, there are plenty of events and festivals for you to enjoy all year round.
If you’re having a summer break to Guernsey, be sure to stop in at the Rocquaine Regatta. It’s a fun-filled day of boat races, apple-bobbing, wheelbarrow-racing, and even wife-carrying races!
And winter visitors to the Channel Islands won’t be left out either with La Fais’sie d’Cidre, Jersey’s annual cider pressing celebration. Find out more about all the events and festivals on the Channel Islands here.
Fine dining and coastal cuisine
The Channel Islands might be small, but their culinary offerings are anything but. The islands play host to a range of fine restaurants and cafes.
A must for visitors is Jersey’s Bohemia, a Michelin-starred restaurants offering dazzling dishes and a generous selection of fine wines and cocktails. And of course, every visitor to the Channel Islands should try the Atlantic Hotel’s Ocean restaurant, with a dizzying array of dishes including cured sea bream and foie gras ballotine. Delicious!
The Channel Islands is the perfect place for your summer getaway or winter break. A rich culture and beautiful landscape, plus a variety of flexible travel options, makes the Channel Islands a holiday destination to remember.
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