How to get to the Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly lie twenty eight miles off Land's End, and you get there by ferry, plane or helicopter. Every route depends on the weather, so build a little slack into each end of your trip.
Where are the Isles of Scilly?
The islands sit twenty eight miles south west of Land's End, out in the Atlantic beyond the end of the A30. Penzance is where the ferry and the helicopter leave from. Skybus flies all year from Land's End Airport near St Just, from Exeter between March and October, and from Newquay again from March 2027.
- Land's End to St Mary's
- 28 miles
- Ferry and helicopter
- Penzance
- Skybus
- Land's End, Exeter, Newquay
- London to Penzance
- About 5 to 6 hours by train
Three ways to get to Scilly
All three land on St Mary's. The helicopter also flies straight to Tresco.
Scillonian ferry from Penzance
The ferry from Penzance, and the cheapest way over. One sailing each way on most days in season: out from Penzance in the morning, back from St Mary's in the afternoon. Watch for dolphins and shearwaters on the way.
2026 is the Scillonian III's final season. The new, larger Scillonian IV takes over from March 2027.
- From
- Lighthouse Pier, Penzance
- To
- St Mary's quay, Hugh Town
- Runs
- Mid March to early November
- Days
- Monday to Saturday, plus Sundays in the summer holidays
- Luggage
- 25kg in up to two bags, plus 5kg hand luggage
Skybus flights
Small planes into St Mary's airport, with the whole archipelago laid out below you on the way in. Land's End is the main route and runs all year; Exeter runs in summer.
Flights from Newquay are suspended until 16 March 2027.
- From
- Land's End (20 min), Exeter (about 1 hour)
- To
- St Mary's airport
- Runs
- All year from Land's End; Exeter in summer
- Days
- Monday to Saturday
- Luggage
- 15kg in up to two bags, plus 3kg hand luggage
Helicopter to St Mary's and Tresco
Penzance Helicopters is the quickest crossing, from the heliport on the edge of Penzance. The only direct route to Tresco, so Tresco guests skip the boat from St Mary's.
- From
- Penzance Heliport, Jelbert Way
- To
- St Mary's or Tresco
- Runs
- All year
- Days
- Monday to Saturday, no Sundays
- Luggage
- 20kg in soft bags, plus 3kg hand luggage
Times above are from the published timetables. For today's running, delays and cancellations, see Scilly Live.
Island boatsSt Mary's to the off islands
Scillonian ferryPenzance to St Mary's, 2 hours 45
Menawethan freightAll year, times move with the tide
Skybus flightsLand's End, Exeter and Newquay
HelicopterPenzance to St Mary's and TrescoScilly LiveEverything today, with weather and noticesLive trackerWhere the planes and the Scillonian are nowWhat's changing
After nearly fifty years and more than five million passengers, the Scillonian III makes her final crossings in early November 2026, a century after the first Scillonian.
The new ferry carries up to 600 passengers and is built to roll less, part of a forty million pound renewal of the islands' fleet. The first sailing date is still to be announced.
Skybus flights from Newquay are suspended until 16 March 2027; booked passengers move to Land's End. Exeter flights are summer only.
Luggage, pets and bikes
What each way across will carry. Tap a heading for the full guide.
FerryScillonian III- Hold luggage
- 2 bags, 25kg in total, none over 20kg
- Hand luggage
- 1 bag up to 5kg
- Check in
- Opens 1h 15m before, closes 30 min before
- Dogs
- YesBooked ahead, up to 2 per adult, on a lead
- Bikes and kayaks
- YesAs freight, booked ahead
- Day trips
- YesAbout 3 to 4 hours ashore, no hold luggage
- Winter
- NoNo sailings, roughly November to mid March
- Excess luggage
- Charged, space allowing
SkybusPlanes- Hold luggage
- 2 bags, 15kg in total per person
- Hand luggage
- 1 small bag up to 3kg
- Check in
- Opens 1 hour before at Land's End, closes 30 min before
- Dogs
- YesLand's End flights only, in an onboard crate
- Bikes and kayaks
- NoNot carried
- Day trips
- YesNo hold luggage
- Winter
- YesLand's End all year
- Excess luggage
- Charged per kg, space allowing; arrange ahead
HelicopterPenzance Helicopters- Hold luggage
- 20kg in one soft bag
- Hand luggage
- 1 small bag up to 3kg, no rucksacks
- Check in
- Arrive 1 hour before, closes 45 min before
- Dogs
- YesIf they fit the onboard crate
- Bikes and kayaks
- NoNot carried
- Day trips
- YesUp to 9 hours on the islands
- Winter
- YesAll year
- Excess luggage
- Charged per 5kg, space allowing
Allowances change from time to time, so check with the operator when you book. Liquids follow the usual 100ml rule on Skybus.
Getting to Cornwall
- By train
GWR runs direct from London Paddington to Penzance in about five to six hours. The Night Riviera sleeper leaves Paddington at 23:45 every night except Saturday and pulls into Penzance at 07:50, in good time for the morning ferry. The quay is a ten minute walk along the seafront from the station.
- To the airport or heliport
A Skybus transfer bus runs from Penzance station to Land's End Airport, timed to the flights; book it at least a day ahead. An electric shuttle links the station and the heliport, a mile away, and also needs booking.
- By coach
National Express runs to Penzance bus station, next to the railway station, including an overnight service from London.
- By car
The A30 runs the length of Cornwall to Penzance; allow extra time on summer Saturdays. Cars stay on the mainland: use the long stay car parks by Penzance harbour (about ten minutes' walk to the quay) or Wherrytown, the Scillonian park and ride with its shuttle to the quay, the car parks at Land's End Airport, or the heliport's own car park, which you pay on exit.
- Luggage labels
Label every bag with your name, booking reference, phone number and holiday address. Ferry luggage is colour coded by island (Tresco blue, Bryher green, St Martin’s red, St Agnes yellow) and is carried on to the off islands for you, for a charge.
Once you’re here
- Between islands
Open boats leave St Mary's quay for every off island most days in season, usually mid morning, coming back in the afternoon. Tresco Boats and St Agnes Boating also run from their own islands. Landings change with the tide, so check which quay your boat uses. Today's boat times.
- On St Mary's
Hugh Town is small enough to walk. Taxis meet the boat and the planes, a community bus runs round the island in season, and bikes, e bikes and golf buggies are for hire. There are no hire cars. Taxis, bus, bike and buggy hire.
- Off islands
Tresco, Bryher, St Martin's and St Agnes are all but car free. You walk, or hire a bike on Tresco. Luggage meets the boat by tractor or trailer, and Tresco runs an electric shuttle from its heliport.
- Luggage on arrival
Hold luggage comes off the ferry at St Mary's quay. It can be delivered to your accommodation on St Mary's for a fee, or sent on to the off islands if it has the right island label.
Trains to Penzance
No more trains to Penzance in the next few hours. The Night Riviera sleeper leaves Paddington at 23:45, every night except Saturday, and shows here from about 21:45.
Long distance trains to Penzance, from London Paddington and beyond, followed down the line. Live times from National Rail Enquiries.
If your crossing is cancelled
Every route depends on the weather, so here is what stops each one and what happens next.
Fog and low cloud stop Skybus most often. If a flight is cancelled you can move to the next flight with a free seat, rebook another day, take a refund, or in season transfer to the ferry if it has room, with transport to Penzance quay laid on. Replacement seats go in order of the cancelled flights, then booking order.
More in the guide →Strong wind and heavy seas stop the ferry, and day trips are the first to be cancelled when a rough sea is forecast. If a sailing is cancelled you will be offered another sailing or a refund.
More in the guide →It needs good enough weather at both ends and along the way, not only in Penzance. If a flight cannot go you can rebook or take a refund.
More in the guide →Ferry, Skybus and helicopter notices, departures for today and the fog and wind reports, all in one place and checked through the day.
Good to know before you book
- Leave a spare dayBefore any flight, train or event you cannot miss on the way home.
- Get the right insuranceCover for weather delays and missed connections. Keep receipts if you are held up.
- Pack soft and lightPlanes and helicopters have strict limits, so weigh your bags.
- Flying in winterNo ferry from November to mid March, so it is plane or helicopter.
- Check on the morningLook at Scilly Live before you set off on the day you travel.
Access and assistance
- FerryBook assistance at least 48 hours ahead; help runs from the quay at Penzance to settling on board. Staff are trained in hidden disabilities, the operator is a Sunflower member, and guide dogs are welcome everywhere on board.
- SkybusThere is no wheelchair access to the aircraft and staff cannot lift passengers aboard, so you need to manage the aircraft steps. Book assistance 48 hours ahead, and travel with a companion if you need help with seatbelts or exits.
- HelicopterTell the team about reduced mobility when you book. Seats are narrow with a four point harness, so ask if you are unsure about fit.
- On the islandsWheelchairs, mobility scooters and e trikes can be hired on St Mary’s. Boat landings change with the tide and can mean steps or slipways, so talk to the boat operators before you go.
Getting there, answered
The questions we are asked most about reaching the islands. Island travel runs on the weather, so check Scilly Live on the day you go.
What is the cheapest way to get to the Isles of Scilly?+
The ferry from Penzance is usually the cheapest way over, and the only one that takes bikes and larger luggage. It runs from mid March to early November.
How long does it take to get to Scilly?+
About 2 hours 45 minutes by ferry, 20 minutes by plane from Land's End, and 15 to 20 minutes by helicopter from Penzance. Add the journey to Penzance or Land's End: about five to six hours by train from London.
Can I get to Scilly in winter?+
Yes, by Skybus from Land's End or by helicopter from Penzance, Monday to Saturday. The ferry does not sail from roughly November to mid March.
Can I take my car to the Isles of Scilly?+
No. Visitors leave cars on the mainland, in Penzance, at Land's End Airport or at the heliport. St Mary's is easy to get round on foot, by bus, taxi, bike or golf buggy, and the off islands are almost car free.
Can I take my dog?+
Yes. Dogs can travel on the ferry (booked ahead), on Skybus flights from Land's End in an onboard crate, and on the helicopter if they fit its crate. Space is limited, so book early.
How do I get to Tresco?+
Fly direct to Tresco by helicopter from Penzance, or travel to St Mary's by ferry or plane and take a boat across, about 20 minutes. Tresco Boats meets the ferry.
What happens if my flight or ferry is cancelled?+
You will be offered another crossing or a refund. When Skybus flights are cancelled in season you may be moved onto the ferry if it has room. Leave a spare day either side of anything important.
Is 2026 the Scillonian III's last year?+
Yes. The Scillonian III retires after the 2026 season, which ends in early November. The new Scillonian IV is due to start in March 2027.
Travelling today?
Boat times, flights, tides and weather for all five islands, in one place.