Travel to the Isles of Scilly
How do you get to the Isles of Scilly?
Well, travelling to the Isles of Scilly is easier than you think.
If you can get to West Cornwall then the hardest part is over!
Transport to the islands is simple to arrange and you can choose to go by sea or by air depending on your preference, time schedule or budget.
Travel by Car
Car Fuel & Electric price calculator
With the cost of petrol & diesel at record levels recently, Gocompare have designed a fuel price calculator and guidance to help drivers plan ahead for any journey and cut down on fuel use.
If you are the owner of an electric vehicle this journey cost comparison tool may prove useful to you.
Travelling from London/South East
Route#1: Take the M4 west and then change to M5 near Bristol, when you get to Exeter the M5 will end and you continue on the A30 all the way to Penzance.
Route#2: Take the A3/M3 west and then join the A303, continuing until it changes to the A30 just before Honiton, continue on the A30 all the way to Penzance.
Travelling from the South
Take the A31 west, this changes to the A35 just before Dorchester. The A35 continues until it changes to the A30 just before Honiton, continue on the A30 west all the way to Penzance.
Travelling from Scotland
Based on a start from Glasgow take the M74/A74 south. This road changes to the M6 as you enter England, change to the M5 around Birmingham. When you get to Exeter the M5 ends and you will continue on the A30 all the way to Penzance.
Travelling from the North West
Take the M6 south and then change to the M5 around Birmingham. When you get to Exeter the M5 ends and you will continue on the A30 all the way to Penzance.
Travelling from Yorkshire
Take the M1 south and then change to the A42/M42 near Donnington. The M42 will then join the M5, when you get to Exeter the M5 ends and you will continue on the A30 all the way to Penzance.
Local Road Services
Exeter Moto is located at the end of the M5 at Junction 30. With plenty of amenities including Costa, Burger King, M&S Food & WH Smith.
Cornwall Services are located off the Victoria Interchange junction of the A30, the midway point between Exeter and Penzance. Facilities include Costa, McDonald’s, Cornish Kitchen, WH Smith & Rowe’s.
Travel by Train
Travelling by train is one of the most relaxing ways to start your holiday journey to the Isles of Scilly. The nearest train station getting to the islands in Penzance in West Cornwall.
To book a train from anywhere in the UK to Penzance we recommend using Trainline to get your tickets. For further information on getting a train try visiting National Rail Enquiries or call 03457 48 49 50.
Great Western Railway
You can travel to Penzance by train on Great Western Railway from most areas in the south of England & Wales, such as London, Brighton, Cardiff, Bristol & Oxford to name a few.
CrossCountry
You can also travel to Penzance by train on CrossCountry from England, Scotland & Wales. You can travel direct from from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Cambridge, Bristol, Cardiff, plus many more.
Travel by Boat
The Scillonian passenger ferry service is currently the most popular way to get from Penzance to the St Mary’s. The crossing gives you a unique perspective of some of Cornwall’s most iconic coastline. On the Scillonian III there are comfy, reclining seats as well as café bars, serving hot and cold drinks and snacks.
From 2024 there is now an additional provider, Scilly Ferries, for transport to and from the islands.
Boarding Times
Scillonian: Check-in 1 hour before your departure time to be on the safe side. Check-in closes 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Scilly Ferries: TBC.
Travel Duration
Scillonian: Penzance to St Mary’s takes approx. 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Scilly Ferries: Penzance to St Mary’s takes approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes.
How to book
For the latest pricing and details how to book please visit Isles of Scilly Travel or Scilly Ferries.
Luggage Allowance
For more detailed information about taking luggage to the Isles of Scilly look at our luggage advice page.
Travel Sickness
If you are susceptible to travel sickness, then travelling by boat when the sea is choppy can be a challenge. It is recommended you travel by plane or helicopter if you do struggle with sea travel in general.
Travel by Plane
All year round, Skybus is the fastest way to and from the Isles of Scilly. The journey takes just 15 minutes from Land’s End to St Mary’s, 30 minutes from Newquay Airport, and from Exeter it’s 1 hour. You will travel in an 8 or 19-seater plane.
Boarding Times
Check-in at least 1 hour before departure time – to be on the safe side. Check in closes 30 minutes before your schedule departure time.
Flight duration
Land’s End to Isles of Scilly takes 15 minutes. Newquay to Isles of Scilly takes 30 minutes. Exeter to Isles of Scilly takes 60 minutes.
How to book
For the latest pricing and details how to book the Skybus visit Isles of Scilly Travel.
Flying from the UK
You can fly to the Isles of Scilly from various locations around the UK, Europe and from further afield.
Fly to Exeter or Newquay using British Airways, Ryanair, Loganair, Aer Lingus, Eastern Airways, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Eurowings and then you can link to the islands using Skybus.
Luggage Allowance
For more detailed information about taking luggage to the Isles of Scilly look at our luggage advice page.
Travel by Helicopter
Penzance Helicopters provide helicopter flights to St Mary’s and Tresco on the Isles of Scilly with upto 17 flights a day and flying 6 days a week. They are the only helicopter service to the Isles of Scilly and fly to both St Mary’s and Tresco.
Using modern AW139 helicopters, carrying up to 12 passengers, the journey takes only 15 minutes from Penzance to the islands or vice versa.
The service operates from a modern, purpose-built heliport on the outskirts of Penzance. The heliport – adjacent to the A30 and just one mile from Penzance Railway Station – provides excellent transport connectivity to the Isles of Scilly. A bright, relaxed and airy terminal provides a welcoming area to await your helicopter flight to the Isles of Scilly.
Flight duration
Penzance to Isles of Scilly takes 15 minutes.
How to book
For the latest pricing and details how to book your helicopter flights to the Isles of Scilly visit Penzance Helicopters.
Luggage Allowance
For more detailed information about taking luggage to the Isles of Scilly look at our luggage advice page.
