- Local time
- 09:00
- Currency
- British Pound (GBP)
- Capital
- Saint Helier
- Calling code
- +44
- Drive on the
- left
Overview
Jersey, in the Channel Islands, has the castles of Elizabeth and Mont Orgueil, Neolithic tombs like La Hougue Bie, German occupation tunnels, the Durrell zoo, sandy bays around St Aubin and St Brelade, and green lanes made for cycling.
The Bailiwick of Jersey is a Crown Dependency: it has the same monarch as the United Kingdom but is not part of it, and was never in the EU. Jersey is its only inhabited island. Centuries of wars with France left castles and forts, and the German occupation of the Second World War left bunkers and tunnels, now major sights; older still are Neolithic passage graves and dolmens.
St Helier, the capital, is mostly modern, while St Aubin is a pleasant fishing village on the bay to the west. Roads are narrow and the island is crossed by green lanes where walkers, riders and cyclists have priority. English is universal; French appears on signs, and the local Jèrriais survives among a few speakers. Many sights are on tidal islets, so check the tides.
- Mont Orgueil: A castle at Gorey built over centuries, from 1204 to the German occupation.
- Elizabeth Castle: A 16th-century castle on a tidal islet in St Aubin's Bay.
- La Hougue Bie: A Neolithic passage grave from about 3500 BC, with chapels on top.
- Jersey War Tunnels: Tunnels dug by forced labour during the occupation, later fitted out as a hospital.
- Jersey Zoo: Gerald Durrell's zoo of endangered species.
- Battle of Flowers: A street carnival in St Helier in August.
Places to visit
- City
- Coast
- Island
- Park
- Historic site
Cities
- St Helier: The capital, mostly modern, with a busy waterfront and pedestrian streets.
- St Aubin: A pleasant fishing village at the west end of the bay, with restaurants and cafés.
- Gorey: A village on the east coast, home of Mont Orgueil castle.
Beyond the cities
- Elizabeth Castle (site): A castle on a tidal islet, reached on foot at low tide or by ferry.
- Mont Orgueil (site): An impressive castle at Gorey, built over many centuries.
- La Hougue Bie (site): A Neolithic passage grave aligned with the equinox sunrise.
- Jersey War Tunnels (site): Occupation-era tunnels in St Lawrence, now a museum.
- Jersey Zoo (park): A zoo of endangered species founded by Gerald Durrell, in Trinity.
- St Aubin's Fort (site): A fort on a tidal islet, reached by a causeway at low tide; free.
- La Corbière (coast): The headland at the south-west tip of Jersey.
- Grosnez Castle (site): The ruin of a 14th-century refuge at the north-west tip.
- Les Minquiers (island): Uninhabited reefs 9 miles south, visited by boat; at low tide larger than Jersey.
Things to do
See
- Elizabeth Castle Elizabeth Castle: Walk across at low tide or take the ferry to the castle and the hermitage.
- Mont Orgueil Mont Orgueil: Fortifications from 1204 to the German occupation, at Gorey.
- Neolithic tombs La Hougue Bie: La Hougue Bie and dolmens such as Le Couperon and Ville-ès-Nouaux.
- Occupation sites Jersey War Tunnels: The War Tunnels, bunkers and the Channel Islands Military Museum.
- Jersey Zoo Jersey Zoo: Gorillas, bats and free-ranging monkeys; you can also stay in pods.
Do
- Cycling the green lanes: Twelve signposted routes; Route 1 circles the island along St Aubin's Bay.
- Boat trips to the reefs Les Minquiers: Les Minquiers and Les Écréhous, uninhabited islets off the coast.
- Battle of Flowers St Helier: The street carnival on the second Thursday and Friday of August.
Eat
- Seafood St Aubin: Fish restaurants and crab shacks around the harbours.
Drink
- Local drinks: Wine, spirits and cider from La Mare Wine Estate, and local gin and rum.
Itineraries
Jersey in 4 days (4 days)
- St Helier (2 nights): Elizabeth Castle, the War Tunnels and La Hougue Bie.
- Gorey (1 night): Mont Orgueil castle.
- St Aubin (1 night): St Aubin's Fort at low tide, and La Corbière.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 3 April 2026 · Good Friday
- 6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
- 4 May 2026 · Early May Bank Holiday
- 9 May 2026 · Liberation Day
- 25 May 2026 · Spring Bank Holiday
- 31 August 2026 · Summer Bank Holiday
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 · Boxing Day
Getting around
| Main airports | JER |
|---|
LibertyBus routes start from Liberation Station in St Helier. Nearly all stops are request stops: wave to the bus, and press the button to get off. Buses are less frequent outside weekday daytime, and minor routes stop by about 18:00. Only folding bikes can go on buses.
Drive on the left. The top speed limit anywhere is 40 mph (64 km/h), many roads are 30 mph, and on the green lanes the limit is 15 mph and walkers, riders and cyclists have priority. Roads are narrow and twisty. Hire firms usually require drivers to be 21 or over; if you bring your own car, check your insurance covers the Channel Islands. Twelve signposted cycle routes cross the island. Outside St Helier there are few pavements.
Flying to Jersey? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flightsWhere to stay
- Hotels in St Helier: From about £110 to £300 for a double room with breakfast.
- Beach hotels: Around St Aubin and St Brelade's Bay, typically £170–250.
- Historic forts: Jersey Heritage lets self-catering rooms in fortifications, from about £21 per person a night.
- Campsites: All in the north of the island, some open only from May to September.
Most campsites can be reached by bus from St Helier.
Eat and drink
Dishes to try
- Seafood and crab: Fish restaurants in St Aubin and crab shacks in St Helier, St Brelade and Gorey.
- Local produce: Fruit, vegetables, artisan cheeses and charcuterie at the Central Market in St Helier.
- British food: Much the same as in Britain, with pub food widely available.
Drinks
- Local beer: Liberation and Randalls between them own most of the pubs.
- La Mare wine and cider: Wine, spirits and cider from an estate near the north coast, with tours.
- Channel Islands gin and rum: Distilled in St Helier, with tours.
St Helier has the best choice of restaurants, and hotel restaurants are often among the best. In October and November, Tennerfest offers fixed-price meals for £10. Look for the Genuine Jersey logo on products made on the island.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Freedom of movement | Common Travel Area: no regular immigration checks from the UK, but carry photo ID. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
Jersey is outside the EU and the Schengen area but in the Common Travel Area with the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man. Arriving from the UK, Guernsey or the Isle of Man there are no regular immigration checks, but you must carry photo ID. From Ireland, everyone except British and Irish citizens must carry a passport and proof of their right to enter. From outside the Common Travel Area, everyone goes through immigration with a valid passport, and visa rules follow the UK's. Rules depend on your passport: check the official link before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | British Pound (GBP) |
|---|
The Jersey pound is on a par with the British pound. Notes from Guernsey, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man are accepted, but Jersey notes are not accepted in the UK: change them before you leave, although British banks will take them over the counter. ATMs may let you choose sterling or local notes. There is no currency exchange at the airport.
Health
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A: consider it, Hepatitis B, for unvaccinated travellers under 60 |
|---|---|
| Malaria | None |
The CDC covers Jersey in its advice for the United Kingdom: rabid dogs are not commonly found. The hospital in St Helier deals with most injuries, but specialist treatment often means transfer to Great Britain. A visit to a doctor costs around £40. A healthcare agreement with the UK exists for UK residents, with proof of residence, but it does not cover dental treatment or prescribed medicines: have travel insurance.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
There are no official travel advisory levels for Jersey. Outside towns and villages there are no street lights, so carry a torch if you walk on the roads, and walk defensively: roads are narrow, and at weekend nights drink-driving is a risk in rural areas. Many sights are reached by tidal causeways: check the tide times a few days ahead, as low tide comes 45–60 minutes later each day. Take care on slippery rocks and in the sea.
Customs and etiquette
People from Jersey are not English: the correct terms are Jerseymen and Jerseywomen, and some islanders call themselves British or Norman. UK law does not automatically apply in Jersey, whose law derives from Norman customary law, though most things are the same as in English law.
Language
| Official languages | English, French |
|---|---|
| English | Widespread |
What to pack
- Torch: There are no street lights outside towns and villages.
- Photo ID: You must carry it even when arriving from the UK.
- Tide table: Castles and forts on tidal islets can only be reached at low tide.
- Walking shoes: Paths outside the south can be muddy.
- Travel insurance: Doctor visits cost around £40, and the UK agreement covers only UK residents.
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Saint Helier |
|---|---|
| Population | 103,267 (2021) |
| Area | 118 km² |
| Time zone | Europe/Jersey (UTC+0) |
| Calling code | +44 |
| Driving side | left |
Staying connected
| SIM and eSIM | All of Jersey has 4G from three carriers, Airtel-Vodafone, JT and Sure, apart from a few dead spots; there was no 5G as of September 2022. Visitors from the UK or Europe should check roaming charges with their provider. The dialling code is +44, as in the UK. |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | There is Wi-Fi in many public places. |
Frequently asked questions
Is Jersey part of the UK?
No. It is a Crown Dependency with the same monarch, outside the UK and the EU, but in the Common Travel Area.
Do I need a passport from the UK?
There are no regular immigration checks from the UK, but you must carry photo ID. Check the official link before you book.
Can I use Jersey pounds in the UK?
Not in shops. Change them before you leave, or pay them in at a British bank.
Do I need a car?
Not necessarily: buses run from St Helier and there are twelve cycle routes, but evening buses are few.
Will my phone roam for free?
Not necessarily: visitors from the UK or Europe should check roaming charges with their provider.
How do I visit the tidal castles?
Check tide times in advance; Elizabeth Castle also has a ferry.
More Travel Stories from Europe
PortugalSources This guide was last checked on · 7 sources
- Wikivoyage: Jersey · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Itineraries, Getting around, Where to stay, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, What to pack, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- Wikivoyage: Channel Islands · Overview, Places to visit, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Safety, Language, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata: Jersey · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Money and payments, Country facts
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Jersey, 2026 · Holidays and events
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- CDC Travelers' Health: United Kingdom, the CDC page for Jersey · Health, Frequently asked questions
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
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Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.