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Guide to caravanning in the Channel Islands

Updated October 2026

Introduction

They are relatively small and may seem quite remote and difficult to reach with your caravan. But don’t overlook a touring caravan holiday in the Channel Islands: Jersey and Guernsey offer beautiful coastlines, a sense of travelling abroad and familiar surroundings, with English widely spoken.

The islands lie in the Bay of St Malo, about 80 miles south of the coast of England, but only 19 miles from France.

The location gives away something of the fascinating history of the islands, which were once a part of the French region of Normandy. When the Duke of Normandy – William the Conqueror, later King William I – invaded England in 1066 he retained his titles in Normandy, including the Channel Islands.

Thanks to that historic connection, and having France as the closest neighbour, there are still native inhabitants of both Jersey and Guernsey who speak an ancient patois of Norman French – Jèrriais, in Jersey, and Guernésiais, in Guernsey.

Many centuries after the Norman invasion, the Channel Islands remain Crown Dependencies, rather than part of the United Kingdom. King Charles III is their monarch, but Jersey and Guernsey have their own parliamentary systems and laws, and neither has an MP at Westminster.

That independence extends to taxation. The islands are outside the UK VAT system, although Jersey has its own Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Guernsey has its own tax arrangements.

The Channel Islands are made up of Jersey – the biggest of the islands – and the group of smaller islands known as the Bailiwick of Guernsey (which comprises the islands of Guernsey itself, the most northerly of the Channel Islands, Alderney and Sark).

All are small islands – Jersey, for example is only 45.5 square miles in area – and mostly rural and semi-rural. The exceptions are the “capital” towns of St Helier in Jersey and St Peter Port in Guernsey.

Many island roads are narrow and winding, so check local driving rules before towing. Jersey has a general maximum speed limit of 40 mph (for cars, towing caravans is 30 mph) and Guernsey 35 mph, with lower limits in many areas. Touring caravans can be taken to Jersey and, subject to different restrictions, Guernsey. Sark is largely free of motor vehicles.

You can base your caravan at a registered site in Jersey or, subject to its permit and campsite rules, Guernsey. The other islands can be explored on day trips by boat or air, subject to seasonal services and weather.

For that matter, neither is the historic French port of St Malo that far away and ideal for a day trip into foreign parts.

What you need before you go

Whenever you are preparing your caravan for any kind of outing, there are a number of things you need to do before getting under way.

That is especially true if you are planning to take your caravan across the sea, and perhaps even more important if you have chosen to take your holiday in the unfamiliar environment of the Channel Islands:

Passports

  • British citizens travelling directly from the UK do not normally need a passport to visit Jersey or Guernsey, but must carry acceptable photographic identification. Check your ferry operator’s requirements and any visa or ETA rules that apply to your nationality and journey.

Driving Licences

  • a valid UK photocard driving licence is generally accepted for driving in Jersey and Guernsey. Check local rules and any licence requirements for your particular vehicle and towing combination;

Car insurance

  • you must have at least the legally required motor insurance. Do not assume your UK policy automatically provides the same level of cover in the Channel Islands: check with your insurer before travelling;
  • ask your motor insurer whether you need any additional documentation, and check the requirements if your journey also takes you through France;

Caravan insurance

  • check that your touring caravan insurance covers your destination, ferry transit, towing and time on site, and that the insured value and any security requirements are appropriate;

Caravan permit

  • for visits of up to 31 days, Jersey generally no longer requires a separate caravan permit if the relevant conditions are met. Visitors must use a registered campsite and comply with vehicle size and movement restrictions;
  • Guernsey has separate rules: visiting caravans require a permit arranged in advance through Le Vaugrat campsite, where visiting touring caravans are accommodated. Check availability and requirements before booking;
  • in Jersey, a touring caravan must remain on its registered campsite during the stay and may only be towed on the journey from the port to the campsite and back;
  • the normal maximum visitor stay for a caravan on Jersey is 31 days;
  • Jersey’s limits include a maximum caravan width of 2.3 metres (and a 2.3-metre width limit for the towing vehicle, subject to applicable exceptions), a maximum caravan body length of 6.7 metres (excluding the A-frame or hitch) and a maximum combined towing vehicle and caravan length of 16.5 metres. Check Guernsey’s different size limits separately;
  • for Guernsey, check the States of Guernsey’s current caravan guidance and obtain the required campsite permit before travel;

Currency

  • sterling is widely used, although Jersey and Guernsey issue their own local notes and coins; check acceptance of particular notes and payment methods when travelling;
  • you may receive local currency in change. It is worth exchanging any remaining local notes before leaving, as they may not be accepted by businesses in the UK;

Preparing the caravan

  • check your caravan’s tyres, brakes, lights, hitch, gas and electrical systems before departure. Your towing combination must be roadworthy and suitable for local road restrictions;
  • our caravanning checklist may be useful when preparing for your trip;
  • ferry operators have rules on gas cylinders and other hazardous items. Declare cylinders when booking or checking in as required, and follow the operator’s current limits and safety instructions.

With your paperwork and the caravan itself all in order, you can plan your travel to the Channel Islands – so just how do you get there?

Getting there

You can travel by ferry to Jersey or Guernsey from Poole in Dorset or Portsmouth in Hampshire.

Jersey

DFDS operates ferry services from Poole and Portsmouth to St Helier in Jersey. Poole crossings can take approximately 4½ hours, while Portsmouth services generally take longer.

Guernsey

Brittany Ferries operates services from Poole and Portsmouth to St Peter Port in Guernsey. Journey times vary, with some crossings taking as little as three hours and conventional overnight sailings from Portsmouth taking around ten hours.

If you are taking a touring caravan to either island, check that your chosen ferry can accommodate your car-and-caravan combination. You should also confirm any campsite booking, permit requirements and restrictions before travelling.

Timetables, crossing times and vehicle availability vary according to the route, vessel, season and weather conditions.

Booking your ferry

When booking your ferry, there are a few important points to keep in mind:

  • declare the full length, width and height of your towing vehicle and caravan, including any projections, so the operator can confirm suitable vehicle space;
  • check both the island’s maximum permitted towing-combination dimensions and the ferry operator’s own vehicle restrictions before paying;
  • check your caravan’s laden weight against your vehicle’s towing limit and your driving licence entitlement;
  • declare any gas cylinders and follow the ferry operator’s current rules on quantity, weight, connection and isolation during the crossing.

Jersey

Destination idea

  • Rozel Camping Park – awarded a prestigious five pennants by the AA, Rozel campsite is in the parish of St Martin, in the northeast of the island;
  • the site has a large heated swimming pool, shop and well-equipped play area for children;
  • pitches have electric hook-ups, are spread over four main fields, and overlook the St Malo Bay to the French coast;
  • The Palms – is in the northwest of the island, between the picturesque villages of Grève de Lecq and St Ouen;
  • check the driving directions from St Helier, especially if towing, and follow the approved route to your booked campsite;
  • ask about the site’s current facilities and pitch arrangements, rather than relying on older descriptions of activities or services;
  • St Ouen’s Bay is nearby, offering a long stretch of beach for walking, swimming and watersports, subject to conditions;

Though you have to leave your caravan where it is pitched throughout your stay in the island, there is plenty to explore by car, by public transport, or on foot.

For such a relatively small island, Jersey has a wealth of variety, scenery and opportunities for activities of every kind.

The sea is never more than 10 minutes away and many a winding country lane opens up to clifftop views – either to the open sea or across the Bay to the French coast.

It is also an ideal, family-centred destination, with a zoo (founded by the well-known Gerald Durrell), a dinosaur trail, boat trips out to see the wild dolphins play, castles to clamber over and any number of activity days out.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey

If you are staying in Jersey, you can leave your caravan on its pitch and plan a day trip to one of the islands in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Alternatively, it is possible to holiday with a touring caravan on Guernsey itself, subject to its campsite permit and vehicle restrictions.

Sark

A favourite destination is the island of Sark, mid-way between Jersey and Guernsey.

It describes itself as “a world apart” and this becomes immediately clear the moment you step off the boat. There are no cars to disturb the peace, for one thing, just the occasional tractor on the land, bicycles and more horse-drawn carriages than you could shake a stick at – the local tourist board quite rightly describes it as the jewel in the crown of the Channel Islands.

The island offers ideal walking country, with quiet valleys leading down to crystal clear waters or upland paths opening out onto stunning views from the cliffs. Cross from Sark to the peninsula of Little Sark via La Coupée – if you dare! This is a causeway – in parts only 3 metres wide – more than 260 feet above the sea. Just don’t attempt to make the crossing in a horse-drawn carriage.

A single day allows you to walk from one end of the island to the other and discover much of what it has to offer.

Guernsey

Guernsey is a different matter. Although still a small island, you might want to spend more than a day with this neighbour of Jersey’s.

The islands are certainly different, with Guernsey seemingly more peaceful, quiet and run at a slower pace. There are cliffs in the south and open heath leading to the wide expanse of L’Ancresse Bay in the north. The capital, St Peter Port, is where the boat will land and sightseeing in this very attractive harbour town might easily take up a large part of your day.

As in Jersey, reminders of the German occupation during the Second World War are never far away. So, if you are a history buff, you may find more than enough to explore and sites to scramble over.

Yet another – this time very short – boat trip, will take you to the heavenly island of Herm. Once again, it is traffic-free and has enviably golden sands for beaches.

Alderney

Alderney is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and one that is closest to France – only 8 miles away.

The island is very small – three miles long by about 1½ miles wide.

Its relatively remote location has helped Alderney retain a quieter character than the larger islands, with coastal walks, wildlife and historical sites.

If you decide to visit Alderney for the day, check current flight and ferry services, journey times and weather conditions before booking.

Quick questions about caravanning in the Channel Islands

Can you take a touring caravan to the Channel Islands?

Yes. Jersey permits qualifying touring caravans at registered campsites for stays of up to 31 days. Guernsey also permits caravans under separate conditions, including a campsite-arranged permit. Check vehicle dimensions and ferry acceptance before booking.

Do you need a permit to take a caravan to Jersey?

Usually not for a visit of up to 31 days, provided you meet Jersey’s campsite, vehicle size and travel restrictions. Guernsey has different permit rules.

Do you need a passport to visit Jersey or Guernsey from the UK?

British citizens travelling directly from the UK do not normally need a passport, but should carry photographic ID accepted by their ferry operator. Other travellers should check passport, visa and ETA requirements.

Summary

When planning your next touring caravan holiday, the Channel Islands might not immediately spring to mind.

But the experience is likely to be different to any other you might encounter in the British Isles – a familiarly British feel and language, but a hint of the foreign, too.

You will not be able to tow your caravan freely around the islands: Jersey restricts touring caravans to the port-to-campsite journey, while Guernsey has its own permit and site requirements.

Getting there by ferry is likely to be a sufficient adventure to add to that feeling of escaping to an entirely different place – and that is likely to be accentuated once you arrive.

From a registered caravan site on Jersey or an approved site in Guernsey, you can explore the islands’ scenery and attractions, with day trips subject to available connections.

 

Disclaimer:

This guide is intended for general information only. Ferry routes, timetables, campsite availability, caravan permits, vehicle restrictions and local travel requirements may change. Before travelling, please check the latest information with the relevant island authorities, ferry operator, campsite and insurance provider. Cover4Caravans cannot guarantee the accuracy of third-party information or the continued availability of the services mentioned.