Ferries to Jersey
Ferries to Jersey at a glance
- Current main operator: DFDS
- Routes: St Malo, Poole and Portsmouth to Jersey
- Shortest crossing: St Malo to Jersey
- Quicker UK option: usually Poole
- Best next step: compare the route with your total drive to the port
How to reach Jersey by ferry
Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands and one of the easiest to reach by ferry. You can sail from St Malo in France, or from the south coast of England via Poole or Portsmouth. DFDS is the current operator for the main Jersey routes, after the island moved away from its former Condor Ferries set-up in 2025.
The best route depends less on the ferry alone and more on your full journey: where you start, whether you are taking a car, and how much time you want to spend at sea. St Malo is normally the shortest sea crossing. Poole is usually the quicker UK route. Portsmouth is longer, but can be practical if that port suits your journey or the sailing time fits your plans better.
This page focuses on Jersey specifically. For a broader comparison with Guernsey, Sark, Herm and the other islands, start with our Channel Islands ferry hub.
Quick verdict
If you are already in France, or happy to drive to Brittany, St Malo to Jersey is usually the most direct sea crossing. From the UK, compare Poole and Portsmouth: Poole is usually faster by sea, while Portsmouth can be the better total journey if it is much easier for you to reach.
Map with ferry crossings to Jersey
The route map gives a quick overview of the main ferry crossings to Jersey from St Malo in France and from Poole and Portsmouth on the English south coast.
Which ferry to Jersey should you choose?
All three main routes land at St Helier, so the right crossing comes down to your starting point and how you want the journey to feel. Use this as a quick decision guide, then check live DFDS sailings for your dates.
| Route | Best for | Crossing | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Malo to Jersey | Travellers coming via France or Brittany, and anyone driving from France, Belgium, the Netherlands or western Germany who prefers a short ferry at the end | The shortest sea crossing | Factor in your total road time to St Malo |
| Poole to Jersey | Dorset, the south coast and south-west England, and anyone who wants a shorter UK sea crossing | The quicker UK route | Vehicle space and seasonal sailings can be the limiting factor |
| Portsmouth to Jersey | Travellers from London, the south-east or central England for whom Portsmouth is the easier port | A longer crossing, sometimes overnight-style | Check the exact sailing time and onboard options for your date |
Ferries from France to Jersey
St Malo is the key French departure port for Jersey, and it is generally the shortest and most direct ferry route to the island. If you are travelling from the Netherlands, Belgium or western Germany, it can be worth weighing a longer drive to St Malo against a longer ferry from the UK.
St Malo itself makes a good overnight stop before or after the crossing, and it pairs well with a wider Brittany or Normandy trip. If you are combining the island with mainland France, our Portsmouth to Saint Malo guide is a useful companion read. Crossing time is usually just under or around 2 hours, depending on the sailing, vessel and conditions.
Ferries from the UK to Jersey
UK ferries to Jersey depart from Poole and Portsmouth. Poole is usually the faster sea crossing, while Portsmouth takes longer but can be easier to reach for some UK travellers. The best route depends on your starting point, whether you are taking a car, and which sailing day works for you.
It is worth not treating the two ports as interchangeable. If you are choosing only on crossing time, Poole usually wins. If you are choosing on total journey comfort, road access and departure time, Portsmouth may still be the better option.
St Malo to Jersey
This is the shortest ferry route to Jersey, arriving at St Helier on the island’s south coast. It is the natural choice for travellers combining Jersey with Brittany or Normandy, and it works for both cars and foot passengers, although you should check the current operator rules for baggage, pets and check-in times.
Crossing time is usually just under or around 2 hours, depending on the sailing and conditions. Summer and weekends can sell out faster, so book early if your dates are fixed.
Poole to Jersey
Poole is the main faster UK option to Jersey, which makes it a practical choice for travellers from Dorset, south-west England and southern England, particularly if you are bringing a car. It can also save you the extra drive east to Portsmouth.
As with any Channel Islands crossing, the exact route duration can vary with tides, berth availability and weather, so treat published times as a guide and check your specific sailing.
Portsmouth to Jersey
Portsmouth is the longer UK crossing to Jersey, and it tends to suit travellers from London, the south-east, the Midlands or central England, depending on road access. If Portsmouth is materially easier to reach than Poole, a longer ferry can sometimes be less effort than the extra drive.
Sailing patterns and onboard options vary by date, so check the timing and any cabin choices for your crossing rather than assuming a particular overnight set-up.
Can you travel between Jersey and Guernsey by ferry?
Yes, inter-island ferries can be a good way to combine Jersey and Guernsey on one Channel Islands trip. Schedules are seasonal, though, and the operator picture has changed in recent years, so this should not be treated as a fixed daily service unless your exact dates confirm it.
Combining the two islands can make a great trip, but do not build a tight itinerary around an assumed same-day connection. Check your sailing dates before booking hotels on both islands. For the other island, see our ferry to Guernsey guide, and for the wider picture our Channel Islands hub.
Taking a car to Jersey
Jersey is a good car-ferry destination, because bringing your own vehicle lets you carry luggage and explore well beyond St Helier. A few things are worth knowing before you drive on:
- Driving is on the left, as in the UK.
- Roads can be narrow, and speed limits and parking can feel different from the mainland UK or France.
- A car is especially useful for beaches, coastal walks and rural stays.
- Foot passengers can still manage well if staying in St Helier and using buses and taxis.
Foot passengers, bikes, pets and luggage
The main Jersey routes can be booked with or without a vehicle, but it is worth checking route-specific rules before you book:
- Foot passengers: check terminal access and the required arrival time for your port.
- Pets: travelling with a dog or cat is possible on many ferry routes, but the rules depend on the route, booking type and documentation. See our guide to travelling with pets on ferries.
- Bikes: Jersey is a rewarding island to cycle, but confirm the current operator rules for carrying a bike on your sailing.
- Luggage: bringing a car is the simplest way to travel with plenty of luggage, but foot passengers should check baggage rules before booking.
When to book ferries to Jersey
- Jersey is busiest in summer, school holidays and long weekends.
- Car spaces can sell out before foot-passenger space does.
- Fares vary by date, vehicle, passenger count and how flexible your ticket is.
- Check live prices and book early for peak season, when demand is highest.
Ferry schedule and timetable to Jersey
Use the timetable below as a planning aid, not as a fixed year-round schedule. Jersey sailings vary by season, route and demand, so always check the live DFDS timetable before booking accommodation or making a tight connection.
Ferries to Jersey
| Route | Sailings | Duration | Operator / notes |
|---|
Jersey or Guernsey?
If you are still deciding between the islands, here is the short version:
- Jersey: larger, with more beaches and restaurants, St Helier as a lively base, and an easier first Channel Islands trip.
- Guernsey: smaller and quieter, with St Peter Port and good onward links to Sark and Herm.
For the full comparison, see our Channel Islands hub, or read the ferry to Guernsey guide.
Our verdict: the best ferry to Jersey
- Best from France: St Malo to Jersey, usually the shortest sea crossing.
- Best from the UK for a shorter crossing: Poole to Jersey.
- Best from the UK if port access or timing matters more: Portsmouth to Jersey.
- For Jersey plus Guernsey: check the inter-island schedules before booking either island.
Still weighing up the islands? Head back to the Channel Islands hub or compare the ferry to Guernsey.
Useful for travellers to the UK
Tips for ferry travellers
Hi
I wanted to book online a ferry from Poole to Jersey return 20-26 June 2025 with a car but Condor is not taking bookings as it says DFDS now has the contract from March 2025. Do you know when it will be possible to book DFDS for June?
Hi Steven,
It is now possible to book with DFDS from Poole to Jersey.
Hope you can still find a ticket, otherwise you can sail with Condor Ferries first to Guernsey and then to Jersey for example.
Hope this works out