Travel FAQs

The fastest way to the island is to fly directly to Tresco with Penzance Helicopters. The stunning flight takes just 15 minutes and you'll land moments from your accommodation here on Tresco.

Penzance Helicopters also fly to St Mary's, or you can take the Skybus fixed-wing planes from Land’s End, Newquay or Exeter, or the Scillonian III passenger ferry from Penzance to St Mary’s. Tresco is a short boat transfer away.

However you travel, please advise us of your travel plans using our Pre-Arrival Form or by calling +44 (0)1720 422849.

Please let us know your travel plans in advance using our Pre-Arrival Form. We don’t receive this information from your travel provider, so if you don’t share your plans with us, we may not be there to meet you on arrival.

If you're flying directly to Tresco with Penzance Helicopters:

• Our transport team will meet you at Tresco Heliport on arrival for the short, complimentary electric shuttle transfer to your accommodation

If you're flying to St Mary’s Airport by helicopter or Skybus:

• You’ll be met by the Island Transfers team for a short transfer to St Mary’s Quay*
• From there, you’ll take the next scheduled boat to Tresco*
• Prefer not to wait? You can book a private boat (at a supplement) by contacting Tresco Boats on 01720 423373
• On arrival at Tresco Quay, our team will be waiting to transfer you to your accommodation by electric shuttle.

If you're sailing on the Scillonian III to St Mary’s:

• You’ll arrive at St Mary’s Quay, where you’ll board the boat to Tresco* (usually Firethorn) about 45 minutes after the Scillonian docks
• Boat times are confirmed the day before on the Tresco Boats page
• If your luggage is labelled with a blue Tresco tag (available on Penzance Quay), it will be automatically transferred to this boat
• Our team will meet you at Tresco Quay for a complimentary shuttle transfer to your accommodation

* payable onboard; cash or card

If you are departing from Tresco Heliport with Penzance Helicopters:

• You will be collected from your accommodation from 1 hour and 15 minutes before your flight time
• Please note: your actual collection may be slightly later, as our shuttle drivers may be picking up other guests en route
• We’ll only contact you if there are any changes to this plan

If you are departing from St Mary’s by helicopter, fixed-wing plane or onboard Scillonian:

• Please call the Transport Team on 01720 423373 between 2 - 4pm the day before your departure to confirm your pickup time from your accommodation and your boat time to St Mary's*
• If you would like an early departure, please contact us before this to enable us to arrange something suitable
• On arrival on St Mary's, Island Transfers will meet air passengers for the short journey to St Mary's Airport*

Flexible Collection & Luggage:

• Please use the luggage labels in your accommodation for your return
• We usually collect guests from their accommodation, but if you’d prefer to be picked up elsewhere on the island to enjoy your final day, just let us know by calling 01720 423373.
• Labelled luggage can be left inside your cottage door and collected from there, leaving you free to enjoy your last moments on the island

* Payable onboard by cash or card

Tresco is a car-free island, so your car will need to stay on the mainland.

If you travel with Penzance Helicopters, there is on-site parking at Penzance Heliport, payable at the exit. There is no need to book in advance.

If you travel from Land's End Airport, the airport parking is provided by Isles of Scilly Travel or Westwinds Car Park. If you travel from Cornwall Airport Newquay or Exeter, please visit the Newquay or Exeter Airport websites for parking information.

If you are travelling by sea from Penzance you can leave your car in the secure car park with Scilly Parking or Isles of Scilly Parking, who offer a shuttle to the quay.

We do all we can to make Tresco accessible for those with mobility difficulties, but you should be aware there is no public transport provision on the island.

You may find it easier to take the direct helicopter service to Tresco, as this avoids the need to traverse quay steps and climb on and off boats. At low tide in particular, this can be challenging for those with mobility difficulties.

For specific information on any aspect of your travel or your stay with us, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Island Office on +44 (0)1720 422849 or email us.

Except on our occasional Dog-Friendly breaks, dogs are not permitted in any Tresco accommodation but are most welcome on day trips.

Please keep your dog on the lead around the island. Dogs are welcome on the Terrace at The Ruin Beach Cafe and in the garden and bar area of The New Inn.

Dogs are most welcome to stay at our dog-friendly Hell Bay Hotel on the neighbouring island of Bryher.

The Isles of Scilly has a diverse and reliable transport system. However, as an offshore location, travel disruption due to weather or other factors is possible.

We strongly recommend all guests take out suitable travel insurance to cover any eventualities. Unfortunately, we cannot advise on or recommend travel insurance, but you should ensure it covers all reasons for delay and disruption to domestic travel, including weather.

Due to our offshore location and the possibility of travel disruption, we strongly suggest you leave plenty of time between your return from the islands and any important or urgent commitments, for example, appointments, interviews or special occasions.

All travel providers issue 'travel advisories' if they are experiencing or expecting travel disruption. These are sometimes issued a day or two in advance but may be issued on the day of travel.

For the latest updates and your individual travel provider's FAQs on disruption, please see the Isles of Scilly Travel website (for Skybus and Scillonian) or Penzance Helicopters website.

The Isles of Scilly has a diverse and reliable transport system. However, as an offshore location, travel disruption due to weather or other factors is possible.

We strongly recommend all guests take out suitable travel insurance to cover any eventualities. Unfortunately, we cannot advise on or recommend travel insurance, but you should ensure it covers all reasons for delay and disruption to domestic travel, including weather.

Due to our offshore location and the possibility of travel disruption, we strongly suggest you leave plenty of time between your return from the islands and any important or urgent commitments, for example appointments, interviews or special occasions.

All travel providers issue 'travel advisories' if they are experiencing or expecting travel disruption. These are sometimes issued a day or two in advance but may be issued on the day of travel.

For the latest updates, please see the Isles of Scilly Travel website (for Skybus and Scillonian) or Penzance Helicopters website.

Please note that we do not receive additional information and can only pass on what we receive from the travel providers.

Please get in touch with your travel provider directly for the most up-to-date information.

Your travel provider will usually offer one or several of the following options in the case of delays and disruption, depending on the situation:

1. Transfer your flight or sailing to another time or date with no amendment fee, subject to availability or
2. Cancelling your journey and receiving a full refund of the unused portion of the ticket or
3. Offering alternative transport to your destination, which may include land and/or surface transport

If the weather is very favourable, Tresco Boat Services may be able to offer trips to and from the mainland on our Jetboats. However, please note that these operate under strict safety rules. Sea conditions and wind must be very low for these journeys, and they will not be able to operate if flights and/or the ferry have been cancelled due to wind and sea conditions.

As your accommodation provider, we are unable to make alternative travel arrangements for you. This is your travel provider's responsibility, and you should contact them to discuss your options.

Of course, we will always do our best to help and support you in any way we can, but we cannot be liable for any additional costs, loss or damage caused by the cancellation or delay, and we strongly recommend all guests have adequate travel insurance.

Unfortunately, this is very unlikely as the island is usually fully booked. The guests arriving at your accommodation may travel by another means (or from another cottage or island) and may still reach the island, even if your departure is disrupted.

As such, we always strongly recommend that you contact your travel provider as soon as possible to assess your options and follow their advice.

Occasionally, we may be able to help with alternative accommodation for those with no other option (for example, unexpected disruption with no alternative travel available). This may be on Tresco (for which we charge a substantially reduced 'delay rate') or another island (where we will help arrange and reach any offered accommodation, but the booking is a private arrangement between you and the accommodation provider, and we are not responsible for this arrangement).

You will be responsible for any transport costs associated with reaching alternative accommodation on other islands, but you may be able to reclaim these additional travel and accommodation costs from your travel insurance provider, so we recommend keeping all relevant receipts.