Fares hint that Guernsey struck a cheaper deal on the ferries

And Brittany Ferries has warned that tourism bosses in Jersey should prepare for even fewer visitors as a result.

The Guernsey Press compared 20 journeys on random dates across the summer, looking at the cost of two passengers plus a car, after complaints on social media from Jersey residents that they were getting charged more by DFDS than they would have paid with Condor.

The research looked at the cheapest price available on 10 journeys from each island to Poole, and 10 journeys to Portsmouth, all between April and September, including both midweek and weekend dates.

It found that journeys from Jersey to the UK cost an average £199.58. This compared to £144.75 for travellers going from Guernsey to the UK.

On average DFDS was £36.85 more expensive to sail to Poole and £62.80 more expensive on the Portsmouth route.

DFDS offered just one fare option, amendable for an unspecified fee and not refundable.

Brittany Ferries offered two fare options, standard and saver – the more expensive standard fare offering free cancellations and free online amendments.

Even at the more expensive standard option, the average price was still almost £35 cheaper.

Jersey is slightly further away from mainland UK – approximately 15 miles further from Poole and seven miles further from Portsmouth.

The Guernsey Tourism Partnership said it was seeing increasing evidence that the decision by Economic Development to engage Brittany Ferries was the correct course of action.

‘The lower fares also show Brittany Ferries’ and Condor’s commitment to growing the routes by providing good value and a regular service,’ said chairman Ant Ford-Parker.

‘The consequence for tourism can only be good, not only for visitors looking for good value by visiting Guernsey, but potentially a great prospect for those looking for a two-centre holiday in the Channel Islands, as they can now save by sailing directly to Guernsey and use inter-island links to visit Jersey.’

A DFDS spokeswoman said it was committed to providing Jersey passengers with a high level of service, comfort, and reliability at affordable prices.

‘Our analysis indicates that our pricing can be higher or lower than UK-Guernsey fares depending upon dates of travel and vehicle types,’ she said.

‘Over the next eight years, DFDS is investing £300m. into our fleet to deliver three new vessels to serve the island in line with our 20-year contract, and we are looking forward to starting our services next month.’

Nigel Wonnacott, group head of external communications at Brittany Ferries, said that competitive pricing was key to attracting visitors to the Channel Islands.

‘That, and having services on sale of course,’ he said.

‘Our worry for Jersey on ferry prices is what happens next.

'Our competitor announced this morning that 2025 would be a “transition to recovery” with a strong focus on costs and cash flow.

'If that’s a euphemism for even-higher prices, tourism bosses in Jersey better prepare for even fewer visitors.’