Helicopter to the Isles of Scilly
The helicopter to Scilly is the fastest way to reach the islands. Penzance Helicopters flies from Penzance Heliport to St Mary's and Tresco all year round, and the hop takes around 15 to 20 minutes. It is also the only direct flight to Tresco, which makes it handy for many holiday plans.
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Key Takeaways
- The flight time is about 15 to 20 minutes from Penzance Heliport to St Mary's or Tresco.
- Flights run Monday to Saturday all year. There is no Sunday service.
- Flight times appear on the operator's live departures board and in the booking system, not on a printed seasonal timetable.
- Standard singles start from about £180. Day trips start from £159 return (2026).
- You get 20kg of luggage in one soft holdall. Hard cases are refused.
This guide covers the timetable, fares, luggage rules, parking, dogs and what happens when the weather turns. Every detail comes from the operator's own pages and was checked in October 2026. Prices and times can change, so confirm on the booking site before you travel. First timers and Scilly regulars should both find something useful.
How the Isles of Scilly helicopter works
Penzance Helicopters has run the route since March 2020. Starspeed has operated it since November 2022 and is part of the Luxaviation group. You fly in a twin engine Sikorsky S76 that carries up to ten passengers. The cabin is quiet and every seat has a good view.
For 2026 the operator now has three helicopters and full base maintenance approval. Tresco Estate says this should make the service more reliable.
Where you fly from
All flights leave Penzance Heliport on Jelbert Way, Long Rock, TR18 3FL. It sits just off the A30 and about a mile from Penzance railway station. Coming by train? A shuttle bus runs from the station in line with flight times. You must book it ahead on 07354 781431.
Where you land
You can land at St Mary's Airport or Tresco Heliport. On St Mary's, Island Transfers meets every flight and takes you to your accommodation or the quay. It costs £12 return for adults, £6 for under 12s and nothing for under 3s, according to Tresco. No booking is needed for arrival.
On Tresco, a free electric shuttle takes you to your accommodation. Heading on to another island? The shuttle drops you at the quay, and Tresco Boat Services runs the transfer. Book this in advance on 01720 423373. Changing boats at St Mary's? The island boat timetable shows today's boats to every island.
Helicopter flight times
Penzance Helicopters does not publish a fixed seasonal timetable. Its flight schedule page shows live departures from Penzance, St Mary's and Tresco instead. To see exact times for a future date, search that date in the booking system. The number of flights changes with the season.
We list the scheduled flights for each month on our helicopter timetable, and today's departures sit on Scilly Live with the fog and wind reports that decide whether they go.
These are the fixed points you can plan around.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Flying days | Monday to Saturday, all year |
| Sundays | No flights; heliport car park locked all day |
| Flight time | About 15 to 20 minutes |
| Check in | Arrive 1 hour before; closes 45 minutes before take off |
| Day trip time on the islands | Up to 9 hours |
| Reservations (March to November) | Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm |
| Reservations (31 October to 14 March) | Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12pm |
| Booking ahead | 2027 flights now on sale |
Why there are no Sunday flights
The service has flown six days a week since it launched. The heliport car park is closed all day on Sundays and locked overnight after the last flight. If your holiday starts or ends on a Sunday, look at the plane or boat instead.
Booking for 2027
Flights for 2027 went on sale in June 2026. Seats are limited, so popular dates in school holidays and festival weeks fill early. Many Scilly regulars book their flights at the same time as their accommodation. That way the dates match and you avoid a long wait in Penzance.
Helicopter to Scilly fares
The latest standard single fares run from £179.50 to £189.50. The operator says it has held these prices since 2022. Day trip fares for 2026 are listed on the booking page. Children and infants pay less, though exact child fares only show when you search.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard single | £179.50 to £189.50 |
| Day trip, booked ahead | From £199 return (2026) |
| Day trip, last minute | £159 return (2026) |
| Scenic flight, on the day | £149 per person |
| Child (2 to 11) | Reduced fare |
| Infant (under 2) | Further reduced; two per flight max |
| Extra luggage | £10 per extra 5kg, if space allows |
| Parking at the heliport | £10 per day |
Watch out for event offers too. The operator has run discount codes for the Walk Scilly Festival, Taste of Scilly and the Low Tide Event, Visit Isles of Scilly reports. Islanders can also join the Residents Travel Club.
Changing or cancelling
Standard tickets can be changed for free within 48 hours of booking. After that, changes cost 10% more than 28 days out and 20% from 28 to 14 days out. No changes are allowed inside 14 days. A Flexi ticket lets you change up to 48 hours before departure.
Refunds work on a sliding scale. You get 50% back more than 28 days out, 25% between 28 and 14 days, and nothing inside 14 days. A full refund applies only if you cancel within 48 hours of booking and the flight is more than 14 days away.
Luggage rules
The hold is small, so the rules are strict. Pack to fit them before you leave home.
- Allowance: 20kg per adult and child, in one bag only
- Bag type: soft holdall with no rigid frame; two wheels and a handle are fine
- Maximum size: 70 x 39 x 31cm
- Hand luggage: one small item up to 3kg and 30 x 15 x 15cm, such as binoculars or a camera; no rucksacks in the cabin
- Infants: 10kg, including a fully folding pushchair
- Laptops: in your hold bag; keep your phone and up to two power banks on you
- Golf clubs and bulky kit: charged as excess and carried only if there is space
Day trippers can bring a rucksack, but it goes in the hold.
Parking and getting to Penzance Heliport
The heliport has around 280 parking spaces. You cannot pre book, and it costs £10 a day, paid when you leave. There are ten electric car bays with Type 2 sockets at 3.6kW. Coming home by boat or plane? Ring 01736 780828 first so your car is not locked in.
Need a coffee before you fly? Café Roselló in the terminal serves Cornish coffee, crêpes and fresh bakes every day.
Flying with children and dogs
Children
All ages are welcome. Children aged 2 to 11 get a reduced fare and the full 20kg allowance. Under 12s must fly with someone over 18. Those aged 12 to 16 can fly alone with a signed consent form and a copy of a parent's ID. Children 16 and under with an adult need no ID.
Dogs and pets
Dogs can now fly in a secure crate on board. The standard crate is 75 x 48 x 53cm and fits one medium dog, about Springer Spaniel size, or two small dogs. A larger crate is available by phone only. Cats and small pets may also travel for a fee.
What happens in bad weather
Flights are only cancelled when the weather makes it unsafe to fly. Clear skies in Penzance do not always mean clear skies over the sea or on Scilly, so a sunny morning can still bring a delay. If your flight is cancelled, the operator offers these options.
- A free rebooking on the next available flight
- A free rebooking on a later date
- A refund of the unused part of your ticket
- Another way across, such as a fast boat; no refund applies if you take this
The usual air passenger compensation rules (EC 261/2004) do not apply to helicopter flights. Get travel insurance that covers delays, cancellations and extra nights away.
Day trips and scenic flights
A helicopter day trip gives you up to nine hours on the islands. You can land on one island and leave from the other. Try landing on Tresco for the Abbey Garden, then crossing by boat to St Mary's for the flight home. Day fares include 5kg for a small day pack.
Prefer to stay in the air? The 40 minute scenic flight loops over the islands and back. It is sold on the day only, by phone on 01736 780828, and includes no luggage.
Is the helicopter worth it?
It costs more than the ferry, but you save hours and skip the sea crossing. It is the only direct link to Tresco, and it flies all year. On the way you pass over St Michael's Mount, Land's End and the Eastern Isles. For short breaks, winter trips and anyone prone to seasickness, it is hard to beat.
The trade off is the strict bag rules and no Sunday flights. Our guide to getting to the Isles of Scilly compares all three ways across.
Helicopter to Scilly FAQs
Asked most often about the helicopter: flight times, fares, Sundays and dogs.
How long is the helicopter to Scilly?+
About 15 to 20 minutes from Penzance to St Mary's or Tresco.
How much is the helicopter to the Isles of Scilly?+
Standard singles cost £179.50 to £189.50. Day trips start at £159 return for last minute seats in 2026.
Is there a Scilly helicopter timetable?+
There is no fixed printed timetable. Use the live departures board or search your date in the booking system.
Does the helicopter fly on Sundays?+
No. Flights run Monday to Saturday all year.
Can I take my dog on the helicopter to Scilly?+
Yes. Dogs fly in a secure crate on board. Larger dogs must be booked by phone.
What happened to the old Isles of Scilly helicopter?+
The British International service stopped in October 2012. The new Penzance Heliport opened and flights restarted in March 2020.
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