Advice to Visitors
• Dialling Code for Alderney from the UK: 01481
All other countries: +44 (0) 1481
• Mobile Phones: Certain mobile networks require a roaming facility plus international dialling code. Please check with your provider.
• Time Zone: same as Great Britain.
• Climate: Mild. Nearly 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Summer temperatures average between 20C-24C and between 17C-20C in spring and autumn. Frost and snow are extremely rare.
• Passports: are not required for citizens of Britain and the Irish Republic, however, photographic ID is required for travel to Alderney (e.g. driver’s licence or passport). Visitors from EU countries need valid passports or national identity cards. Nationals of other Western European countries and North America require valid passports, but not visas. However, if you plan to visit France during your stay in Alderney, you will need your passport.
• Foreign Exchange: facilities and two automatic cash dispensers are available. Branches of NatWest, HSBC and Lloyds TSB.
• Internet/E-Mail Access: available at the Alderney Visitor Information (in town) Tel. 823737. Alderney Computing Flexi Centre (in town) Tel 07781 416880 or 824898. Alderney Gift Box (in town) Tel. 823532. Channel Jumpers (at the Harbour) Tel. 822202.
• Duty-Free, VAT-Free Shopping: Shopping in Alderney is VAT-free. The island also has its own duty-free facilities where visitors (except travellers within the Bailiwick of Guernsey) can purchase tobacco and spirits at exceptionally low prices prior to departure, from several retail outlets.
• Duty-Free, VAT-Free AvGas for Private and Commercial Aviators: supplied at Alderney Airport. Tel 824666.
• Medical Insurance: Alderney has two medical practices, a dental surgery and a hospital. However, the National Health Service does not operate in the Bailiwick and all visitors - except Bailiwick residents - are strongly advised to obtain health insurance cover prior to travelling to the islands. Also as the Channel Islands are not part of the EU they do not benefit from EU schemes.
• Travel and Medical Insurance: The UK Department of Health has removed the reciprocal healthcare arrangement with the Channel Islands. It is therefore essential that all persons visiting Alderney ensure that their travel and medical insurance is current for the duration of their visit and is also valid in the Channel Islands. This will cover you for any unforeseen expenses incurred in case of delays, diversions or cancellation due to adverse weather conditions.
• Travelling with your Pet: Alderney is rabies-free and some hotels, guest houses and self-catering establishments on the island welcome pets. Both Aurigny Air Services and Blue Islands will accept cats, dogs and other small household pets on their inter-island and UK flights to Alderney. However, please note only cats and dogs (**) originating from the British Isles or legally imported into the UK may be landed in Alderney once they have been cleared by Alderney’s Customs Authorities. Under the recently-introduced Pet Travel Scheme, cats and dogs may also be imported from St. Malo, via Guernsey or Jersey, with Condor Ferries. Otherwise a 6-month quarantine applies. For details and conditions please contact the respective airline or ferry company prior to making any travel arrangements.
(**) Please note: Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa or any other type of dog which appears to have been bred for fighting may not be imported. For details, conditions and exceptions regarding the Pet Travel Scheme and any queries relating to the importation of animals, please contact the Commerce and Employment Department directly before making any arrangements: Tel +44 (0) 1481 234567.
• Public Holidays: same as Great Britain, except for August Bank Holiday which in Alderney is on the first Monday of August when the Island celebrates Cavalcade Day, and 15 December “Homecoming Day” which celebrates the islanders’ return on 15 December 1945, after the mass evacuation in June 1940.
More detailed information can be obtained by contacting: The States of Alderney Tourist Board, P.O. Box 1, Alderney GY9 3AA Telephone +44 (0) 1481 822811 or +44 (0) 1481 823737 email info@visitalderney.com or visit our extensive website www.visitalderney.com which provides still more information and images of any of the topics and subjects covered in this brochure, and virtually everything you want to know about Alderney.