Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
Consult the State Department website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in Guernsey or the U.K.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the United Kingdom and Guernsey more than 6 months.
US Embassy/Consulate
None (British crown dependency); +(44)(20) 7499-9000; US Embassy London, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US, United Kingdom
LGBTQIA+ Travelers
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) travelers can face unique challenges when traveling abroad. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel. Legal protections vary from country to country. Many countries do not legally recognize same-sex marriage. Approximately seventy countries consider consensual same-sex sexual relations a crime, sometimes carrying severe punishment.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgbtqi.html
Telephone Code
44
Local Emergency Phone
112, 999
Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate
Temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Currency (Code)
Guernsey pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G
Major Languages
English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Major Religions
Protestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist), Roman Catholic
Time Difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
Little Chapel; Castle Cornet; Hauteville House; Fort Grey & Shipwreck Museum; Dehas Dolmen; German Occupation Museum; Sausmarez Manor
Major Sports
Soccer, cycling, tennis, squash, cricket
Cultural Practices
Guernsey is very similar to UK proper with largely reserved, polite people, albeit with a French twist in the street names and places. The local lingo known as Guernésiais, is also decidedly French and, although rarely be heard by visitors, is taught in some schools in an effort to preserve the local heritage.
Tipping Guidelines
A service charge is not normally added to the bill, unless it is a large party; therefore, it is acceptable to leave 10% of the total. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. It is acceptable to tip hotel staff a small amount if they provide excellent service. Leave the extra change at a bar or nightclub.
Souvenirs
Hand-knit sweaters, copper decorative items, hand-embroidered items; duty-free fashion, jewelry, alcohol, and tobacco
Traditional Cuisine
Bean jar — a one-pot dish typically made with pig’s trotter, haricot beans, butter beans, bay leaves, onions, and carrots; the dish is baked for 6-8 hours and typically served with crusty bread and Guernsey butter
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Saturday, September 23, 2023
