Guernsey sees record number of ferry visitors from France
We review the ferry routes between France and the Channel Island
Guernsey is increasing in popularity both for day-trippers and overnight stays
Tim Hutchinson/Shutterstock
A record number of visitors are taking the ferry between the French mainland and Channel island of Guernsey, reports operator Brittany Ferries.
The company, which operates the main ferry service between the island and the French mainland (from St Malo) noted that over 750 passengers arrived on the May 29 public holiday.
This is around double the previous daily record.
Foot passenger numbers (those taking the ferry without a car) are up around 190% compared to last year, and overall bookings are around 123% higher.
“It is fantastic to see a record set so early in the season. Even more encouraging is the consistent growth across the summer,” said Brittany Ferries Commercial Director Paul Acheson to media ChannelEye.
“Our data indicates that visitors are not just travelling here on day trips, rather they are staying for longer, which is obviously a boost for the local hospitality and tourism sectors,” he added.
Main ferry route for island
The increase in numbers comes following a new contract from the Guernsey authorities.
Previously Condor Ferries, part of the Brittany Ferries group, ran services to both Guernsey and Jersey, but the latter recently awarded a 20-year contract to Danish operator DFDS.
However Brittany Ferries has remained the main operator for the route to Guernsey via Condor Ferries after being awarded a new contract for the island last year.
Overall, there are four France - Guernsey ferry routes.
The main service is operated by Condor Ferries from St Malo, with Manche Iles Express offering three crossings from Diélette, Granville, and Carteret.
Note that the services from Granville and Carteret are not direct, and go via Jersey or Alderney first.
Combined, these complete several crossings per week – higher in the summer tourist season – with the St Malo service being the most popular.
It conducts five return journeys per week (all days except Tuesday and Thursday) – although can run daily in the summer months – and the journey takes around two hours.
Prices on this main ferry begin from €39 one-way for a foot passenger ticket, or a €70 same-day return for passengers bringing their vehicle.
The quickest route is between the island and Diélette (which sits on the border of the Flamanville et Tréauville communes) and takes around 70 minutes.
An underground road tunnel linking the islands and mainland France has been touted in the past.
Islands have unique rules for French visitors
The islands have been focusing on French-based tourism in recent years, which has included a measure that allows French citizens on direct trips to the island to enter without a passport.
They can instead use their French national ID card.
Other non-UK and non-French citizens however must use their passport to enter the islands and, even for French citizens, for certain trips including those that stop at other islands, a passport must be used.
At the same time, non-British/Irish citizens do not need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the island directly from France, as they would if they were visiting the UK.
