To reach the Isles of Scilly, you first travel to west Cornwall, then sail by ferry or fly on short hops by plane or helicopter.
If you have ever typed “how do you get to isles of scilly?” into a search box, you already know that this tiny island group needs a bit more planning than a standard beach break. There is no bridge, no roll-on car ferry, and no direct international flight, yet the routes are simple once you see them laid out.
This guide walks you through every main option, how long each leg takes, and how to link it with trains, coaches, or driving from the rest of the UK. By the end, you will know which route fits your budget, your sea legs, and your timetable.
How Do You Get To Isles Of Scilly? Travel Overview
The Isles of Scilly sit about 30 miles off the tip of Cornwall. To get there, you reach Penzance or nearby airports such as Land’s End, Newquay, or Exeter, then continue by ferry, plane, or helicopter to St Mary’s or Tresco.
Put simply, every route to the islands is a two-step trip: mainland to Cornwall, then Cornwall to Scilly. The table below gives a quick view of the main ways to reach the Isles of Scilly and how long each one takes door to door once you reach Cornwall.
| Route Type | Departure Point | Typical Time To Scilly* |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Ferry (Scillonian III) | Penzance Harbour | About 2 hr 45 min sailing |
| Skybus Plane | Land’s End Airport | About 20 minutes in the air |
| Skybus Plane | Newquay Airport | About 30 minutes in the air |
| Skybus Plane | Exeter Airport | About 60 minutes in the air |
| Penzance Helicopter | Penzance Heliport | About 15 minutes to St Mary’s or Tresco |
| Rail + Ferry | UK cities to Penzance by train | 4–9 hours to Penzance, then ferry |
| Rail + Flight | UK cities to Penzance or Newquay | 4–9 hours by rail plus short flight |
| Drive + Ferry/Flight | Car to Penzance or Land’s End | Varies by start point, then sea or air leg |
*Times are for the final leg from Cornwall and do not include check-in or boarding.
If you still find yourself asking “how do you get to isles of scilly?” the next sections break each route into clear, easy steps so you can pick the one that fits best.
Ways To Get To Isles Of Scilly From Mainland UK
Once you reach west Cornwall, you can sail or fly. Your choice comes down to price, comfort with sea swell, and how quickly you want to arrive. Many regular visitors even mix options, flying one way and sailing the other.
Sail On The Scillonian III Ferry
The Scillonian III is the classic way to reach the islands. This passenger ferry sails from Penzance Harbour to St Mary’s, usually from spring through autumn on a daily timetable in peak season. Crossing time is around two hours and forty-five minutes, and you sail past the Cornish coast before heading into open water.
Standard passengers travel on foot. The ferry does not act as a normal car ferry, and visitors do not drive vehicles onto the islands. Most travellers leave cars in long-stay parking near Penzance and walk or take a shuttle to the harbour. Luggage travels in tagged containers and is delivered to the quay on St Mary’s, where accommodation providers or island porters often collect it.
Seats on busy summer sailings sell out, so book early for school holidays. If you are prone to motion sickness, pick a central seat on a lower deck, carry any medication you rely on, and keep an eye on the weather forecast when choosing dates. The upside is that you enjoy views of the cliffs, passing ships, and the first sight of the islands rising out of the sea.
Fly With Skybus Fixed Wing Planes
Skybus runs small planes from Land’s End, Newquay, and Exeter to St Mary’s. These flights run year-round from Land’s End, with seasonal services from the other airports. Flight times are short, and you get wide views of the Cornish coast and the scattered islands ahead.
Land’s End is the shortest hop, with about twenty minutes in the air. Newquay flights take around half an hour, while Exeter adds roughly an hour of flying but saves time for travellers from the Midlands or south-east England who might otherwise face a very long train ride.
Check-in for Skybus flights opens around an hour before departure, and luggage limits are tighter than on large commercial aircraft. Weigh bags carefully at home, and pack valuables, medication, and a light jacket in cabin baggage in case your hold bag travels on a later flight during busy periods.
Take The Penzance Helicopter
The Penzance helicopter route is the fastest way to reach the islands from sea level. Flights run from a heliport on the edge of Penzance directly to St Mary’s and Tresco, usually in around fifteen minutes of flying time.
Like the planes, helicopters have strict weight limits and compact cabins, so soft luggage works better than hard cases. The short flight still gives sweeping views over Mount’s Bay, Land’s End, and the sandbars and reefs around the islands.
For current schedules and fares, it is worth checking official route pages such as Isles of Scilly Travel, as timetables and prices shift across the year.
Planning Your Route From The Rest Of The UK
Reaching Cornwall can be part of the fun if you treat the mainland leg as a mini break. You can travel by train, coach, or car and line up your arrival with a ferry, plane, or helicopter slot.
By Train To Penzance Or Newquay
Penzance sits at the end of the main Great Western Railway line. Direct trains run from London Paddington, and you can connect from cities across the country. Many travellers pair the Night Riviera sleeper service with a morning Scillonian sailing or Skybus flight, which turns the overnight ride into part of the holiday.
Newquay also has rail connections, although you may need to change at Par or other Cornish stations. From Newquay station you can reach the airport by taxi or local bus, then continue by Skybus. Some operators sell combined rail and Isles of Scilly travel packages, so check whether a through-ticket saves time and money on your dates.
By Car To Cornwall
Driving works well for families or groups who want to carry more luggage to Cornwall, even if the car stays on the mainland. The A30 runs all the way to Penzance, with service stations and supermarkets near the route for last-minute supplies.
Once in Penzance, book a long-stay car park in advance, especially during the main holiday months. The islands themselves are mostly car-free for visitors, and residents keep a small number of vehicles. Many visitors choose to get around on foot, by bike, by golf buggy, or on local boats, so you will not miss your car on the islands.
If you plan to fly from Land’s End instead of sailing, you can park at or near the airport and use shuttle services that link Penzance station, the harbour, and Land’s End Airport. Check your flight or ferry booking confirmation for advice on which transfer options match your departure time.
By Coach Or Domestic Flight
Several national coach operators run services to Cornwall, often stopping in Penzance or other west-Cornwall hubs. Travel times can be long, yet prices are usually lower than train fares, especially outside peak dates. Once you arrive, local buses, taxis, or pre-booked transfers can move you to the harbour or airport.
From other parts of the UK, it can also make sense to fly to Newquay or Exeter on a domestic airline, then swap to Skybus or the Penzance helicopter. This cuts down on ground travel and keeps your total trip time down to a single day, even from northern England or Scotland. For a wider picture of routes and seasonal options, the official Visit Isles of Scilly travel advice page is a handy cross-check while you plan.
Choosing The Best Time And Way To Travel
Sea, air, and helicopter routes all respond to weather and daylight, so the right choice for you can change with the season. Your budget and how flexible your dates are will also tip the balance.
Sea Conditions And Motion Sickness
The Scillonian III handles open sea, yet swell still builds on windy days. Spring and early summer can bring choppy crossings when Atlantic systems roll through. Late summer often feels gentler, though no one can promise flat water on any given date.
If you know you struggle with motion sickness, think about flying at least one way. Planes and helicopters can also feel bumpy when weather systems move through, but the rides are short, and you always keep the horizon in sight. If you sail, eat a light meal beforehand, pick a seat where you can see out, and avoid reading for long stretches.
Weather And Seasonal Timetables
Ferry services run from roughly March to early November, with daily sailings in high season and fewer crossings at the edges of the timetable. Flights run year-round from Land’s End, with extra routes from Newquay and Exeter in peak months.
Strong winds or thick fog can lead to delays or cancellations for both sea and air routes, so leave some slack at each end of your trip, especially if you have onward rail or coach tickets. Travel insurers usually expect you to follow operator instructions on rebooking or overnight stays, so keep every email and text message you receive in case you need to claim later.
Price, Comfort, And Flexibility
As a rough rule, the ferry is usually the lowest-cost choice, especially for families. Flights and helicopters cost more per person but save hours of travel time and offer extra views.
If you book early, you stand a better chance of grabbing lower fares, especially in school holiday weeks. Many visitors now mix their routes, sailing one way for the sea experience and flying the other way for speed, which also gives two very different views of the islands.
Sample Itineraries To Reach The Isles Of Scilly
The ideas below show how a full trip might look from different parts of the country. They are only examples, yet they give a sense of timing when you piece the legs together.
| Starting Point | Main Connection | Approx Total Travel Time* |
|---|---|---|
| London | Day train to Penzance + afternoon ferry | About 8–9 hours |
| London (overnight) | Night Riviera sleeper + morning ferry | Overnight ride, on Scilly by lunchtime |
| Midlands city | Train to Exeter + Skybus flight | About 6–7 hours |
| Northern England | Domestic flight to Newquay + Skybus | About 5–7 hours including change |
| Wales or south-west England | Drive to Penzance + ferry | 3–6 hours driving, then crossing |
| Scotland | Flight to Exeter or Newquay + Skybus | Most of a day, depending on stops |
*Times are ballpark figures and depend on exact train, road, and flight conditions.
Practical Tips For A Smooth Arrival
Once your route is set, a few small choices can make the first hours on the islands much calmer. The following tips come from the way regular visitors plan their trips.
Tickets, Luggage, And Check-In
Book your ferry, flight, or helicopter before you finalise accommodation, unless your chosen place to stay has already blocked out travel for you. Peak weeks sell out, and it is much easier to shift a hotel than an entire transport chain.
Print or download every ticket and confirmation to your phone, and carry a hard copy in case batteries run low. Put medication, a change of clothes, and swimwear in hand luggage so you can still enjoy the beach if your main bags arrive on a later sailing or flight.
For flights, bring photo identification such as a passport or new-style driving licence, as airlines treat the route as a domestic service with standard security checks. The ferry does not ask for ID in the same way, though you still need your booking reference at check-in.
Arriving On St Mary’s And Reaching The Other Islands
Most routes land you on St Mary’s, either at the harbour or at the airport on the hill above Hugh Town. From the harbour, you can walk into town in a few minutes. From the airport, shuttle buses and taxis run down to the main streets and hotel areas.
If you are staying on an “off-island” such as Tresco, Bryher, St Martin’s, or St Agnes, inter-island boats meet the main ferry and many flights. Your accommodation provider usually tells you which boat to use and where to drop your luggage. Label every bag clearly with your name, island, and place to stay, as bags often swap boats without you.
Once you have checked in, you can start hopping between islands on daily boat services that run in line with the tides and weather. Posters on the harbour railings and noticeboards in accommodation list the next day’s routes and times, and skippers often suggest trips that match the day’s conditions.
Quick Planning Checklist
To pull everything together, work through these steps in order:
- Pick rough dates that suit your budget and ferry or flight season.
- Decide whether you prefer sailing, flying, or a mix of both.
- Check Scillonian, Skybus, and Penzance helicopter timetables for your dates.
- Choose how you will reach Cornwall: train, coach, domestic flight, or car.
- Book Isles of Scilly transport first, then confirm accommodation.
- Arrange mainland parking or transfers if you are driving or arriving late at night.
- Pack light, label your bags clearly, and keep valuables in cabin luggage.
Once those pieces are in place, the question “how do you get to isles of scilly?” turns from a puzzle into a set of simple steps. After that, the only choice left is which beach you visit first.