Island in Bailiwick of Guernsey, Guernsey
Guernsey
Quiet Channel Island of cliff walks, small bays and Victor Hugo's house in St Peter Port, with Herm and Sark close by. Safe and pretty; expensive, with limited transport and nightlife.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$3,440–4,760Comfortable, one person · £2,600–3,600Details
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Aug, 17°CDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableMains water is treated and safe to drink.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$66–106Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundIsland busWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Guernsey
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| St Peter Port | Main town: harbour, shops, restaurants and boats to Herm |
| St Martin | Quiet south, near cliff paths and Fermain Bay |
| Vazon and the west coast | Surf beaches and sunsets; needs a bus or bike |
Apps that work in Guernsey
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Buses.gg: Live bus times and timetables
- Taxis: No Uber or Bolt. Book taxis by phone or use the St Peter Port rank.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Guernsey.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless almost everywhere. Guernsey notes aren't accepted in the UK; ask for Bank of England notes.
- Currency: Pound (GBP). US$1 ≈ £0.76 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs are usually free to use; your own bank may charge. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants unless a service charge is added; not expected in pubs.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Part of the Common Travel Area: no passport control arriving from the UK, Ireland, Jersey or the Isle of Man; airlines and ferries still want photo ID.
- Since 23 April 2026, visa-exempt visitors (not British or Irish) need an ETA: £20, valid two years. A UK ETA also covers Guernsey.
- French nationals on day trips by scheduled ferry can use a national ID card instead of an ETA.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999
Plugs
Type G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Pay-as-you-go SIMs from Sure or JT shops in St Peter Port. Many UK plans charge roaming here, so check yours first. eSIMs work for visitors.
Going to Guernsey solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Guernsey meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.