Channel Islands: Are they worth a stop between London and Paris?
 

Just finished reading the very charming book The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and now feel compelled to go to Guernsey. DH and I have a tentative plan to do London and then Paris in one 8-day trip, but would it be possible (and worthwhile) to stop at the Channel Islands for a couple of days in between? Or, since this is my first trip to either England or France, would it be wiser to stick to London and Paris only?

In a word, no. Not when packing London and Paris into 8 days certainly. Guernsey's lovely and all but going there'd be more something you'd want to do if you were spending a few weeks in Europe.

I've been to Guernsey and have just finished the book. The island is charming but bears little resemblance to the book, the events of which take place during and immediately after WWII.

With only 8 days to spend in London and Paris, you don't have time for detours.

8 days is only <i>barely</i> enough time to sctratch the surface of London Paris. If you mean 8 days in total - you will really only have a bit over 5 days free for seeing the sites. The logistics of London &gt; the Channel Islands &gt; Paris would only take more time.

As it is, it takes 1 day/night flying to London. 1 day pretty jet lagged - you'll be in London but it definitely won't be a full touring day. On your travel day you'll spend bout 5 hours packing, getting to St Pancras, taking the train, getting to you Paris hotel, checking in and unpacking. So maybe leaving 1/2 a day for touring. And your last day is spent traveling home.

So - no - not really doable to add the islands.

(If you mean 8 days &quot;on the ground&quot; / 10 days total for the trip -- there still isn't enough time)

For one thing, they are not &quot;between&quot; London and Paris. No, it would not be wise to go there during such a short trip.

However for anybody near Saint Malo, it is worth a side trip by boat, if you have time.

Maybe not this trip but Guernsey is well worth a visit:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/329357/index.html

I'll have to look out for that book.

The flight time from London to Guernsey is the same, give or take 10 mins, as to Paris. The train from London to Poole or Weymouth, the main ports for Guernsey, takes about as long (Poole) or a deal longer (Weymouth) than the train to Paris. The fast ferries from Poole or Weymouth take longer than the London-Paris train: the slow, cheaper ferries from Portsmouth take three times as long.

Whichever way you go, the London-Guernsey leg alone, under almost all circumstances, will cost more than the direct London-Paris journey.

I'd definitely stick to London and Paris. If you start reading about England and France in general, I am sure you would come up with many more places you'd love to visit. But really those two cities are all you should plan with only 8 days.