Car Hire Guernsey

You’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road in Guernsey, seatbelts are a legal requirement and speed limits are shown in miles per hour.

Book car hire on the island in advance online and you can pick up your vehicle at Guernsey Airport as soon as you arrive. From here, it’s just a 10-minute drive into the centre along the Route des Blicqs.

Most of the sandy beaches are along the western side of the island, and you can reach L’Eree Bay in just 10 minutes along Route des Paysans from the airport. Thanks to its small size, it’s possible to drive all the way around Guernsey in about an hour or so, while heading from the airport to Fort Doyle at the northernmost tip takes around half an hour.

The maximum speed limit on Guernsey is 35mph (equivalent to 56km/h), reflecting the island’s size and its narrow streets. This drops to 25mph in certain coastal areas from the beginning of June until the end of September. The same 25mph limit applies at all times near the island's schools.

One of the great things about driving around Guernsey is that the majority of public parking is free. There’s plenty of on-street parking and private car parks too, though many of these require a parking disc (available at Guernsey Information Centre). These spaces have set time limits, with blue signs indicating how long you can park there for.

The best things come in small packages and Guernsey is testament to this, with the tiny island full of wonder. Its compact size makes getting around in a hire car simple, whether you want to visit its glorious coastline, picturesque harbours or important heritage sites. 

St Peter Port

Since Roman times, the capital of Guernsey has been a busy port and it remains a hub of activity today. It’s only a 10 to 15-minute drive from the airport and you’ll be right in the centre. The tight, winding streets are where you’ll find a broad range of boutique, craft and antique shops in the busiest part of the island.

Stroll down to the water’s edge and admire what’s often referred to as one of Europe’s prettiest harbours. Head along to the furthest point out in the harbour to Castle Cornet, an 800-year-old fortress. Five museums, four period gardens and the finest views out over the other Channel Islands make it a fascinating visit.

Back in St Peter Port, enjoy afternoon tea overlooking the town and ocean from the luxurious Old Government House. The Victorian Candie Gardens are just behind and worth visiting for a prime example of 19^th-century public gardens.

Explore the sensational coastline

Whichever side of the island you visit, you’ll stumble across magnificent cliffs, beautiful beaches and secretive coves. Start with one of the most picturesque in the south at Moulin Huet Bay. It was one of renaissance artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s favourite spots and he painted 15 famous pieces of the bay during his stay in 1883.

Over on the west coast is the large sandy stretch along Vazon Bay. Cafes line the shore, offering a fantastic spot to watch the sunset (or sunrise if you’re an early bird). It’s also the main spot for surfing and other water sports on the island. While just a five-minute drive north is Cobo Bay, more popular with families.

At the northern tip of Guernsey, Pembroke Bay offers the longest stretch of sand on the island, with turquoise waters ideal for swimming and paddling in. Follow the 14-kilometre coastal path from Beaucette to Grand Rocques if you’re feeling adventurous and fancy exploring the high cliffs.

Island history

For an understanding of island life throughout important world events, head to the German Occupation Museum. A mix of everyday objects from the time, recreated shop fronts from St Peter Port and weapons used by the Germans give a good insight into the impact World War Two had on Guernsey and the rest of the Channel Islands, which were occupied for the majority of the war. 

Just south of St Peter Port, La Vallette Underground Military Museum goes even further back, covering the First World War as well. Military and occupation memorabilia is displayed in these air-conditioned tunnels, originally built as a fuel storage facility for German U-Boats.

Skip back a few millennia earlier at Les Fouaillages. This burial mound dates back 8,000 years and is believed to be the oldest man-made structure in Europe. It was only found by accident in 1976 in the island’s north, and many other artefacts found at the site are now housed in the Guernsey Museum in Candie Gardens.

Hire a car in Guernsey and you can easily explore all the natural and historical gems on offer across this charming island.