Jersey, Guernsey & France

Poole is a cross-Channel port: the Channel Islands and the French coast leave from the other side of the harbour.

Poole is a working cross-Channel port as well as a holiday town, which makes a continental trip unusually easy from here.

Where the ferries go

Services run from Poole to the Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey, and across to France. Operators, routes and seasonal patterns change, so check current timetables rather than relying on what ran last year.

The terminal

The ferry port is at Hamworthy, on the western shore, reached over the Twin Sails Bridge or the lifting bridge from the town centre.

Worth knowing

Check passport and travel requirements well ahead for both the Channel Islands and France. Allow time for check-in, and for the bridges, which lift on a schedule and can delay a drive across town.

See travel information.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can you get a ferry from Poole to France?

Yes. Poole's ferry terminal at Hamworthy runs cross-Channel services to France, alongside routes to the Channel Islands. Operators, routes and seasons change, so check current timetables before planning around one.

How long is the ferry from Poole to Jersey?

Crossing times depend on the vessel and the route, with fast craft considerably quicker than conventional ferries. Check with the operator for current timings.

Where is the ferry terminal in Poole?

At Hamworthy, on the western side of Poole Harbour, reached across the Twin Sails Bridge or the lifting bridge from the town centre.

Planning your visit?

Where to stay in Poole

Sandbanks hotels, harbourside flats a street back from the Quay and the quieter beds out at Hamworthy and Broadstone, with the areas each one suits.

Where to stay →