How to Visit the Channel Island of Jersey on a Budget

Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands – a quaint part of the British Isles tucked quietly away by the northern French coast.

Despite its proximity to mainland Europe, Jersey is an English-speaking, British pound-using destination, that certainly identifies more with its northern Anglo neighbours, than its continental voisins (French for neighbours FYI!)

As such, Jersey makes a great weekend break for those based in the UK, or an awesome side-trip for those travelling in this region.

So if you’re looking for a quick mini break, or a beautiful British country retreat, I can highly recommend popping over to Jersey (in fact it’s one of my top 50 places to visit in Western Europe).

Here’s how to do it on a budget…

 

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Related Posts

• 7 Reasons to Visit Jersey… The UK’s Most Southerly Spot!
• 36 Best Things to Do in Jersey, inc 9 Free Ones!
• Best 11 Jersey Beaches

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How to Travel to Jersey for Less

By Plane

Budget airlines are generally considered the way to go if you want to get to Jersey cheaply from the UK.

easyJet and British Airways offer flights from 17 UK airports, and occasionally there are direct flights from big European destinations too, such as Paris, with the airline Blue Islands.

If you can, try to fly only with carry-on luggage and you’ll skip the need to pay additional fees.

Book early to snag deals and opt for mid-week flights where possible, as these tend to be cheaper than weekends.

Otherwise, British Airways can be very close in price to budget airlines once you start adding in baggage etc.

Sometimes they even work out cheaper, especially if you collect Avios points or belong to their Executive Club (free to join).

Always check out Skyscanner for the best flight deals and don’t pay more than you need to!

Once you arrive in Jersey, there is then a regular bus service – number 15 – from the airport to the capital St Helier.

The journey takes around 30 minutes and departs every half hour.

My top tip is to sit on top deck for the great views!

 

By Ferry

If you don’t want to fly, you have a lot of luggage, a pet, or you want to bring your car over, then the ferry service to Jersey could be the one for you.

DFDS sail from the UK and France to Jersey – watch out for offers and book at sale prices where possible.

UK ferries depart from Poole (around a 4 hours crossing) and Portsmouth (usually a 12 hour overnight crossing with cabins available).

While bringing your vehicle can be costly, foot passenger fares are normally quite reasonable – around £60 one way from Poole to Jersey for example.

The ferry terminal is situated in the capital of St Helier, so from there you can simply walk into town and / or to the main bus station in about 10 minutes.

 

Cheapest Time of Year to Visit Jersey

Summer is high season in Jersey, particularly during the UK school holidays, when lots of UK families tend to come over.

If you’re looking for a bargain therefore, I’d avoid the months of July and August, and instead consider a trip to Jersey in either April, May or June – essentially shoulder season.

The cheapest deals will be found during the winter months of November, plus January and February, but you’re not going to have the warmest weather at this time!

Avoid travel at Christmas, when again flights and accommodation are pricey, as lots of islanders return home to see their families.

 

Getting Around Jersey on a Budget

Walking in Jersey

Walking is free in Jersey – amazing! – and there are lots of fabulous walks around the island that should definitely be enjoyed.

From the cliff paths of the north coast, to the sandy stretches of St Ouen’s Bay, there’s so many different trails from easy strolls to good hikes, so there should be at least one that takes your fancy!

Don’t miss the Railway Walk in St Brelade’s, the path around Queen Valley Reservoir in the east of the island, or the cliffpath that stretches from Bonne Nuit Bay to Rozel Bay – keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels on this one!

Otherwise, even just strolling around the town centre St Helier, and visiting some of the nearby local parks, is a great way to see Jersey on a budget.

A number of self-guided walking routes around the island can be found here.

 

Jersey Buses

Alternatively, or to get to the start of your walk, there is a good local bus service that runs across the island.

Liberty Bus, as it’s known, has its main depot (Liberation Station) in St Helier, and from here you can grab connections to almost anywhere on the island.

In terms of bus tickets, you can either buy single fares onboard with the driver, or you can invest in one of the company’s cost-effective set of Hop-On Hop-Off passes.

These give you unlimited travel within a set time period – either 1, 2, 3 or 7 days – and can be used on any route.

Hop-On Hop-Off passes can be purchased from the Customer Service desk at Liberation Bus Station.

Check Jersey’s bus routes and timetables here.

 

By Bike

Hiring a bike and exploring the island on 2 wheels is definitely one of the best ways to visit Jersey on a budget.

There are tons of well-signed dedicated cycle routes that will take you off the beaten track through quiet country lanes, including the 15mph Green Lane network, where non-motorised transport has right of way.

Check out Jersey Bike Hire for rental prices, including of eBikes, and Jersey Government website for more details about cycling on the island, including free self-guided routes.

 

Car Hire / Taxi

Sadly Uber hasn’t reached Jersey yet.

You can join the Facebook Group – Jersey Lifts 2.0 – if you want a cheaper, unofficial ride, although you may be better to hire a car if you’re looking for some independence.

Check out DiscoverCars who have some great car rental deals for the island.

 

Things to do in Jersey on a Budget

From history and heritage, to coastal adventures and wildlife spotting, there really are tons of affordable things to do in Jersey.

Check out these budget-friendly options…

 

Jersey Seafaris

This local company offer adventure tourism to some of Jersey’s more unusual top spots, as well as over to some of the other Channel Islands and even France!

Taking you out on a RIB to some of the surrounding tiny islets, including Sark, Herm or Les Ecrehous, or across the coastlines of Jersey, these guys will give you the chance to spot local birdlife, as well as dolphins and seals, as part of a thrilling excursion.

I absolutely loved the trip to Les Minquiers I got to experience with Jersey Seafaris and was blown away by the natural beauty of this isolated coastal area few are lucky enough to visit.

Offering excellent value for money, this a fun, adrenaline-fuelled activity for all the family.

 

Heritage Passes

If history is your thing, then Jersey could well be your place, with its chequered heritage and very visible artefacts of the past.

Most of the island’s castles and museums are looked after by an organisation called Jersey Heritage, and stepping inside many of their ancient and informative spaces does come with a price tag.

To help with this a little however, Jersey Heritage offer passes that allow visitors to see 4 different visitor sites for the price of 3.

Available to use over a 7 day period, Jersey Heritage Passes are a great way to visit many top attractions across the island for less.

 

Free Events

There’s always tons of free events happening in Jersey too, so head along to the Visitor Centre in St Helier for the latest calendar.

From Sunset Open Air Concerts to National Trust Open Days, Summer Fetes to Christmas Markets, it’s definitely worth finding out what’s happening locally when you visit Jersey.

 

Beaches and Reserves

And failing all that, there’s over 30 beaches you can visit for free (check out my favourites here), as well as some lovely nature reserves, such as St Catherine’s Woods, and gorgeous parks like Howard Davis, that won’t cost you a penny to enjoy.

You can also visit St Ouen’s Wetlands or Les Mielles Nature Reserve to spot birds and wildlife without spending a penny.

And don’t forget the Jersey cows… they are free to see too!

 

Eating Cheaply in Jersey

There’s a plethora of wonderful restaurants in Jersey to enjoy, however they can come at a cost.

If you’re on a tight budget, here’s a few tips and tricks to help you still enjoy some great food on the island for less…

 

Markets

Both the Fish Market and the Central Market in St Helier are a sensory spectacle when it comes to food on the island..

Same goes for the farm shops and honesty stalls that dot the more rural areas of Jersey and support many local farmers directly.

My favourites are Lucas Brothers and Rondels.

From Jersey Royals to Jersey tomatoes, eggs and seafood, there’s lots of delicious local products to try – look out for the Genuine Jersey label to ensure authenticity.

Supermarkets such as Waitrose and the Coop are also found on the Island if you want to pick up some staples.

When you’ve bought your supplies, one great option is to head out to Les Mielles in St Ouen to make use of their free BBQs. 

It’s a super place to watch the sunset too.

 

Eating Out

When it comes eating out, some of the nicer beach cafes are a good option if you’re looking to combine good value, with good quality and good views.

In particular, there is a great BYO Thai restaurant down at Bonne Nuit Bay, and the Portelet Bay Café also has a super reputation for its wood-fired pizzas made in house that you can then enjoy on the sand.

Fresh crab sandwiches are renowned at St Catherine’s Cafe, and don’t miss a fresh oyster from the Ugly Oyster at Greve de Lecq!

Pubs such as The Dolphin at Gorey and The Farmer’s Inn at St Ouen, offer good hearty fare in a very local setting!

Otherwise El Tico, Stacks and Le Braye down at St Ouen’s Bay offer quality dining in a casual atmosphere.

 

Budget Accommodation in Jersey

Campsites are the cheapest accommodation option on Jersey, with Rozel Camping Park and Beuvelande Camp Site both getting good reviews, and offering tent pitches and glamping pods.

Otherwise, there is a hostel available within the delightful grounds of Durrell Wildlife Trust, which gets you free entry into this award-winning conservation park too.

If you want self-catering accommodation, then lodges at Les Ormes in the west of the Island offer good value.

And for something a bit different, especially if you’re travelling as a group, why not have a look at renting out a Jersey Heritage property?

From castles to communication towers, there’s tons of unusual locations to choose from – I can highly recommend a stay at Archirondel Tower.

From more information check out my list of the best places to stay in Jersey.

 

 

Top Jersey Travel Tips

How Long to Spend There

3-7 days is a great amount of time to get a feel for all Jersey has to offer.

 

Packing Essentials for Jersey

• Comfy Travel Pillow
• Go Water Filter Bottle
• Floating Dry Bag
• Waterproof Walking Shoes
• Windproof Breathable Jacket

 

eSIM for Jersey

Most UK phone plans count Jersey as a roaming destination

Check out aloSIM for easy, eSIM connections that won’t incur hefting roaming fees.

 

Travel Insurance

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

 

Travel Money

Jersey uses the British pound (although notes differ and the island still has £1 notes!)

Free ATMs can be found across the island, most major banks have branches here.

You can pay by card or contactless almost everywhere (including some of the small farm stalls!)

I always travel with my Wise card, which makes spending abroad cheaper with real exchange rates and no sneaky transaction or ATM fees.

Wise cards works just like a debit card and link easily with Google and Apple pay.

Grab yours here.

 

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So there you have it, my top tips for how to visit the Channel Island of Jersey on a budget.

Have you visited the island before?

What did you enjoy doing there for free?

 

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