You can take a ferry to Jersey from Poole or Portsmouth in England, or from St Malo in France. DFDS runs all three routes. Poole is the quicker crossing but closes for the winter; Portsmouth runs all year and takes much longer. From Normandy, Manche Iles Express sails to Jersey too, for foot passengers.
Below I've set out what the operators themselves say about crossing times, fares, pets, check-in and the ID you need. Prices are the "from" fares on each operator's site when I checked on 13 November 2026.
Ferry routes to Jersey compared
| Route | Operator | Crossing time | Ship | When it sails | Car + 2 from (one way) | Foot passenger from (one way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poole – Jersey | DFDS | About 4 hrs 30 mins | Levante Jet | Closed for winter, back April 2027 | £220 | £54 |
| Portsmouth – Jersey | DFDS | About 9 hrs | Stena Vinga | Year round | £176 | £54 |
| St Malo – Jersey | DFDS | About 1 hr 55 mins | Tarifa Jet | See DFDS timetable | £155 | £43 |
| Granville, Carteret or Diélette – Jersey | Manche Iles Express | Not stated | Granville | Almost daily, April to September | Not stated | Prices vary |
Poole is the fast route. DFDS says "The fastest ferry is from Poole to Jersey, on board the Levante Jet taking approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes." It's seasonal, though: "Our Poole-Jersey route is seasonally closed during winter and will resume sailings in April 2027". DFDS gives the distance as "Approximately 121 miles."
Portsmouth is the year-round option. While Poole is closed, DFDS says, "you can travel year-round via our Portsmouth–Jersey route." The crossing is much longer: "On average, we aim for a journey of approximately 9 hours." DFDS gives the distance as "Approximately 177 miles."
St Malo is the short hop from France. DFDS's average is "approximately 1hr 55 minutes", over "Approximately 44 miles."
On every route, DFDS says the time "can vary due to tides in Jersey and berth slot availability." For all the Channel Islands crossings on Ferryu, see my Channel Islands ferry routes page.
Ferry to Jersey prices
DFDS's Jersey page starts at "£145 per car + 2 people, one way*". The individual route pages show these "from" fares:
- Poole – Jersey: "with your vehicle from £220* or on foot from £54* one way".
- Portsmouth – Jersey: "with your vehicle from £176 or on foot from £54* one way".
- St Malo – Jersey: "By car: Fares start from £155 one way (includes car + up to 2 people)." On foot, "Fares start from £43 one way."
DFDS says the UK "from" price "is based on a standard one way fare with a car carrying up to 2 passengers or as a single foot passenger, respectively."
There are two offers on the DFDS site:
- Book early for 2027. DFDS offers "a 15 % discount on the selected vehicle fare for travel in 2027" on all three routes. The booking period is "19 October 2026 – 1 February 2027" and it covers travel from 1 February to 31 December 2027.
- Short breaks. DFDS says you can "Book a 1–3 day short break with DFDS to save 20% on standard ticket prices*". The small print says it's for "return crossings on the Jersey-Poole & Jersey-Portsmouth routes for stays between 24hrs-72hrs."
From France, DFDS also sells a St Malo to Jersey day trip "with your car from £125 return* or on foot from £32pp return*". You must "Return within 36 hours of arrival time".
Manche Iles Express doesn't publish a single "from" fare. It says "rates vary according to the date of the reservation, the day of departure, the request and the availability."
Taking your car or going as a foot passenger
All three DFDS routes take cars and foot passengers. DFDS says: "On our Jersey routes you are allowed to travel as a foot passenger." If you're cycling, DFDS says "Onboard UK – Jersey – France we are only able to accept 1 passenger per bicycle."
Each ticket covers one vehicle: "Unfortunately, you can only book one vehicle, per ticket." DFDS asks you to measure your car with anything on the roof: "Ensure you know your vehicle's height and length, including any bike racks or roof boxes". If you drive an electric car, plan ahead: "We currently don't have charging facilities for electric vehicles onboard or at the port."
Manche Iles Express is a smaller operation. Its ship, the Granville, has a capacity of "245 passengers". Its baggage rules say "Each passenger is allowed a 20kg baggage allowance" and it takes bikes "up to a limit of 9 bicycles per ship per crossing". I couldn't find any mention of cars on its site.
On board the Jersey ferries
DFDS describes two kinds of ship on its Jersey routes. On its conventional vessel, it says, "there is a restaurant, a duty-free shop, a cinema, a premium lounge, a pet lounge and free WI-FI." On its high-speed craft, "there is a café/bar, a duty-free shop and free WI-FI, a premium lounge is available onboard."
On the Stena Vinga from Portsmouth, DFDS says you can "explore the Sea Shop, savour delicious meals in our cafeteria, entertain the little ones in the small play area". The Portsmouth page also lists a "Choice of cabins and lounge seating available". Some other practical points from DFDS:
- "Unfortunately meals cannot be prebooked prior to departure on our Jersey routes, however, you can still purchase food onboard."
- "All ships sailing the Jersey routes are fitted with European-style plug sockets, so you'll need to bring an adapter to charge your devices".
- There's no cash machine, and DFDS says "we only accept card payments."
Check-in times
DFDS uses the same times on all its Jersey routes. It recommends you arrive "Vehicles: 120 minutes before Departure. Foot Passengers: 90 minutes before departure".
Check-in closes earlier than you might think: "Check in for vehicle & bicycle passengers closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Check-in for foot passengers closes 40 minutes prior to departure." DFDS adds that "check in & departure times are based on local time."
The DFDS terminals are:
- Poole: "The Passenger Terminal, New Harbour Road South, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AJ"
- Portsmouth: "Portsmouth International Port, George Byng Way, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8SP"
- Jersey: "The Elizabeth Terminal, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3NW"
Manche Iles Express says "Passengers must check-in for boarding a minimum of 90 minutes prior to departure." Anyone arriving "less than 40 minutes prior to departure will be refused boarding".
What ID you need for Jersey
The Government of Jersey says Jersey is part of the Common Travel Area, so "There are no routine border immigration controls when travelling within the CTA. But you must travel with a photo ID to be able to prove your identity and nationality."
From the UK you don't need a passport. gov.je says: "You don't need to travel with a passport when you arrive in Jersey from: the UK". Instead, "You must travel with photo ID. We accept whichever photo ID your airline or ferry company accepted." Its list of accepted ID includes "a passport", "a national identity card" and "a driving licence with your photo".
DFDS, for its part, says "we recommend you carry a valid passport or a form of recognised photographic identification with you at all times to ensure the smoothest journey."
gov.je also says: "From 23 April 2026, you may need an ETA to visit Jersey." It tells you to check whether you need one and apply on GOV.UK.
On DFDS's Jersey routes, "a parent or guardian must accompany people under the age of 18 years."
Getting to Jersey from France
If you're already in Brittany or Normandy, there are two ways across.
DFDS from St Malo takes cars and foot passengers. DFDS's St Malo terminal is at "Gare Maritime du Naye, St Malo 35400".
Manche Iles Express from Normandy sails "from Granville, Carteret et Diélette". It says "We almost offer daily departures from April to September from France to Jersey (but our ports are tidal)". Pets can't go: "Animals are not allowed on board with the exception of registered guide dogs".
Coming from France means passports. Manche Iles Express says that if you book a ticket from France to the Channel Islands, "A VALID PASSPORT AND ETA (Electronic travel authorisation from 23 April 2026) ARE REQUIRED." Only French nationals on a same-day return can travel on an ID card.
If you're British and sailing from Jersey to St Malo, GOV.UK says your passport must "have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the date you arrive". It must also "have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area". GOV.UK says the EU's Entry/Exit System means "you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo."
Taking a dog to Jersey
DFDS says "pets are welcome on both the Portsmouth and Poole routes." Between the UK and Jersey there's very little paperwork. DFDS says there are "No official health requirements for dogs, cats, or ferrets. No pet passport or documentation needed if travelling from the UK." It also warns that "certain dogs are not allowed to travel to Jersey."
Where your pet goes depends on the route:
- Portsmouth has the most choice. DFDS lists "Dog-friendly Lounge, Pet friendly Cabin or Leave your Pet in a Vehicle". The pet lounge has "a dedicated outdoor area for your dog to stretch their legs and take a bathroom break", but space is limited "and must be prebooked in advance."
- Poole: with a car, you "Leave your Pet in a Vehicle". As a foot passenger, "All pets must be in a RSPCA approved carrier and will be placed within a dedicated area onboard."
- St Malo: you leave your pet in the car, and DFDS says "All pets must be at least 15 weeks when travelling on the Jersey - St Malo routes."
You can't stay in the car with your pet: DFDS says "you cannot stay in the vehicle during the sailing due to health and safety regulations."
DFDS's pet page lists these charges:
- Poole as a foot passenger: "£11 per pet, per way".
- St Malo in a vehicle: "£20 per pet, per way".
- Portsmouth, and Poole with a car: "Free of charge, however you must ensure you add your pet".
Coming from France, your pet needs more. DFDS lists a microchip and a rabies vaccination "Administered when pet is at least 12 weeks old and at least 21 days before travel".
Between the UK and Jersey there's very little paperwork.
Going on to Guernsey
DFDS lists its Tarifa Jet on "St Malo-Jersey / Guernsey", and Condor's booking form lists "Guernsey - Jersey" sailings between the islands. A separate Ferryu guide covers Guernsey in full; for the direct crossings, see Portsmouth – Guernsey and Poole – Guernsey.
Questions about the ferry to Jersey
How long is the ferry to Jersey?
From Poole, DFDS aims for about 4 hours 30 minutes. From Portsmouth it's about 9 hours, and from St Malo about 1 hour 55 minutes.
Which is the cheapest ferry to Jersey from the UK?
When I checked on 13 November 2026, Portsmouth had the lower car fare, from £176 for a car and 2 people one way, against £220 from Poole. Both routes showed foot passenger fares from £54 one way.
Can you take a car to Jersey?
Yes. All three DFDS routes take cars, and the "from" fares include the car plus up to 2 people.
Do I need a passport to go to Jersey?
Not from the UK. The Government of Jersey says you must travel with photo ID instead, such as a driving licence with your photo. From France you need a passport, and you may need an ETA too.
Does the Poole to Jersey ferry run in winter?
No. DFDS says the route is "seasonally closed during winter" and will be back in April 2027. Portsmouth runs all year.
Can I take my dog to Jersey on the ferry?
Yes, on all three DFDS routes. Portsmouth has a pet lounge and pet-friendly cabins. On Poole and St Malo your dog stays in the car, or in a carrier if you go on foot.
