Ferries to the UK Islands

Sea travel is a great option when visiting the Channel Islands, with the opportunity to take your own car and avoid restrictions on luggage, which is particularly beneficial if travelling with children or opting for a self-catering holiday.

From March 2025, DFDS will provide convenient ferry crossings from the UK to Jersey, while Condor Ferries operate between the UK and Guernsey, with both operating regular sailings between Poole and Portsmouth. All vessels include excellent on-board facilities including bars and dining venues, duty free shopping and outdoor decks where you can take a leisurely stroll.

JERSEY with DFDS

Crossing time on the fast ferry service, Levante Jet, between Poole and Jersey is 4 hours 30 minutes and has capacity up to 675 passengers, while the slower service between Portsmouth and Jersey, Stena Vinga, with capacity up to 400 passengers takes between 8-10 hours. Comfortable seating is included with a choice of cabins available at a supplement on the Portsmouth-Jersey route.

Onboard DFDs ferries you can expect to find a restaurant or café/bar to relax and fuel in, a duty-free shop and free WiFi. When travelling from Portsmouth you’ll also be able to unwind in the cinema or lounge area.

IMPORTANT: Check-in for passengers with vehicles closes 60 minutes prior to departure. Check-in for foot passengers closes 40 minutes prior to departure.

GUERNSEY with Condor Ferries

Condor’s fast ferry service between Poole and Guernsey has a crossing time of 3 hours with travel onboard the sleek Condor Voyager. This high-speed catamaran carries up to 850 passengers and 235 cars and can travel at 42 knots. There’s also plenty of space to walk around as well as comfortable seating, a café, bars and a duty-free shop where you can pick up some huge savings. There’s a guaranteed seat for everyone in the air-conditioned lounges as your fare includes a Standard Voyager seat anywhere on the vessel.

Condor also offer a slow service between Portsmouth and Guernsey onboard Condor Islander with a crossing time of 10 hours. This new vessel can carry up to 400 passengers, offers a choice of 1, 2, 3 and 4 person cabins along with pet-friendly cabins too (limited to 2 per cabin). Plus, there’s sure to be something to whet your appetite at The Cove Restaurant.

IMPORTANT: All passengers due to travel on a domestic sailing (inter-island and between the UK, Guernsey and Jersey) are required to carry a form of photographic identification.

ISLE OF MAN Steam Packet Company

You can travel from Liverpool or Heysham on the high speed sea cat service, which has a journey time of 2½ hours. Alternatively the ferry is a more leisurely 4 hour crossing.

The high speed sea cat service offers a cafeteria with a wide selection of food options, two cinema lounges, a large bar, an on-board shop and variety of seating areas.

The ferry features a choice of bars and cafes, on board shopping, seating areas and lounges.

Also available is the Manxman, with a passenger capacity of 948, a selection of cafes, bars, quiet spaces, a family zone, 40 cabins (including 4 pet friendly cabins) and dedicated pet lounges!

Prices for offers are based on foot passenger travel from Liverpool or Heysham on either the traditional ferry or the fast ferry. Should you wish to take your car, supplements range from £89 to £189 depending on the time of year and day of the week. Please call for further information and the latest prices.

ISLE OF WIGHT with Wightlink or Red Funnel

Wightlink operate car ferries between Lymington and Yarmouth, which take around 45 minutes, or Portsmouth and Fishbourne, which take 40 minutes. Onboard facilities on the car ferries include spacious lounges with comfortable seating, panoramic windows, cafe and bar, games area and large sundecks.

There is also a foot passenger catamaran between Portsmouth and Ryde, which takes 22 minutes. There are no additional facilities on board the catamaran service due to the journey time.

Red Funnel offer a foot passenger catamaran service between Southampton and West Cowes, which has a journey time of 23 minutes. Additionally, there is a traditional ferry with the option of taking your own car, which has a journey time of 55 minutes.

ISLES OF SCILLY with Scillonian

The Scillonian passenger service operates between Penzance and St Mary's and takes around 2¾ hours, giving you a unique perspective of some of Cornwall’s iconic coastline.

If you are visiting the other islands, onward travel to Tresco and Bryher is available by a small boat (payable locally).

Facilities you will find on board include reclining seats, cafe bars serving hot and cold drinks along with snacks, and open air deck seating.

There are no sailings between November and February.

In March and October sailings only operate on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Between April and September sailings operate Monday to Saturday (no Sunday sailings).