Ferry from Poole to Jersey
Ferries from Poole to Jersey carry foot passengers, cars and pets. They sail on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with 1 sailing a day, and the crossing takes about 4 hours 30 minutes. The ferry leaves from the Port of Poole in Hamworthy and arrives at Elizabeth Terminal in St Helier, the capital of Jersey.
This is a summer route. Ferries between Poole and Jersey sail between April and October, and the route is closed in winter. On board you can sit inside or out on deck, buy food and drinks, or upgrade to a lounge.
Ferry times and timetable
Crossing time and the boat
How long the crossing takes
The crossing from Poole to Jersey takes about 4 hours 30 minutes. It is the fastest ferry to Jersey from the UK. Tides in Jersey, the berth slots available and the weather can make a crossing shorter or longer.
On board
The ferry has seating areas inside and outside decks where you can look out to sea. Food and drinks are available on board.
For more comfort, you can upgrade to the Premium Lounge. It has reclining seats, and snacks and drinks are included in the upgrade:
- pastries, biscuits and fresh fruit
- sweet and savoury snacks
- hot and cold drinks
You can book the lounge online before you sail or on board.
Tickets for foot passengers, cars and pets
Travelling as a foot passenger
You can book the ferry without a vehicle: choose no vehicle when you search. Foot passengers can bring as much luggage as they can safely carry without help. At Poole, special vehicles take foot passengers between the terminal and the ferry.
Taking your car
You can take your car or another vehicle on the ferry. With a vehicle, there is no limit on how much luggage you bring. Luggage must be your own belongings and not for business use. Book your vehicle with its correct size and type, so check-in and boarding go smoothly.
Travelling with a pet
Pets are welcome on the Poole route. There is a charge for each pet in each direction, and you need to book your pet in advance. Pets, apart from guide dogs, may not go into the passenger areas of the ship. You get the arrangements for your pet on board when you book.
Your pet needs no pet passport, other documents or vaccinations to travel to Jersey from the UK. XL Bully type dogs need a licence to enter Jersey.
Sailings back from Jersey
Ferries from Jersey to Poole sail on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with 1 sailing a day, and leave between 15:15 and 18:40 depending on the day. Whether a day trip works depends on the sailing times on your date: the timetable on this page shows each sailing for the coming week.
Passport and ID for Jersey
Jersey is part of the Common Travel Area and has the same border control standards as the UK. There are no routine border immigration checks within the Common Travel Area.
You do not need a passport to arrive in Jersey from the UK, but you must travel with photo ID. Jersey accepts the photo ID your ferry company accepted. Accepted ID includes:
- a passport or national identity card
- a driving licence with your photo
- a biometric residence permit or immigration status document with your photo
- another official photo ID from a government or public authority
Since 23 April 2026 most visitors to Jersey need an ETA or a visa. You do not need an ETA if you are British or Irish, or if you travel between the UK and Jersey.
Ferry company
Departing from Poole
Finding the ferry terminal
Ferries to Jersey leave from the passenger terminal at the Port of Poole, on New Harbour Road South in Hamworthy, BH15 4AJ. By road from the west, follow the A35 to Poole, then the A350, and follow the signs to the port. Poole railway station and the bus and coach station at the Dolphin Centre are each a 20 to 25 minute walk from the terminal. A taxi from Poole railway station takes about 10 minutes.
Parking at the port
A large passenger car park is directly opposite the foot passenger hall. You pay on foot by debit or credit card at the machines before you leave. Port security patrols the car park at night, and luggage trolleys are available.
Check-in
The terminal has a ferry company check-in and enquiry area. You need to be at check-in in time for the minimum check-in time of the route. If you need assistance, tell the ferry company at least 24 hours before departure.
Arriving in Jersey
Elizabeth Terminal, St Helier
Ferries from Poole arrive at Elizabeth Terminal in St Helier, within walking distance of the town centre. Passengers from the UK go on to baggage reclaim and the arrivals hall.
Onward travel from the port
The island bus station, Liberation Station, is about a 10 minute walk from the terminal. Buses run all year and cover the whole island. A taxi rank is outside the terminal, but taxis can be limited, so it helps to book one ahead. Car hire companies are based at Jersey Airport, and you can hire an electric car from the harbour's main car park. Bus routes 15, 12, 9 and 22 serve the airport, and there is also a taxi rank outside the airport.
Exploring Jersey
In St Helier you can browse the Central Market, visit Jersey Museum or relax on the beach at St Aubin's Bay. Elizabeth Castle stands on a rocky islet in the bay. Mont Orgueil Castle is a medieval fortress, and Jersey War Tunnels tells the story of the island in wartime.