Travel FAQs
Below, you’ll find answers to our most frequently asked questions about travel to and from Tresco – but if you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact the Island Office on 01720 422849.
The swiftest way to reach the island is to fly direct to Tresco with Penzance Helicopters. In just 15 minutes, you’ll lift from the mainland and settle back down again moments from your accommodation - the sea stretching wide beneath you as you cross.
Alternatively, Penzance Helicopters also serves St Mary’s. You can also travel by Skybus from Land’s End, Newquay or Exeter, or sail aboard the Scillonian III from Penzance to St Mary’s, before a short onward boat transfer to Tresco.
However you choose to travel, please share your plans with us via our Pre-Arrival Form or call +44 (0)1720 422849, and we’ll take care of the rest.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, please share your travel plans with us in advance using our Pre-Arrival Form. We don’t receive arrival details from transport providers, so without them, we may not be there to meet you.
Flying direct to Tresco
If you’re arriving with Penzance Helicopters, our transport team will meet you at Tresco Heliport and take you by complimentary electric shuttle straight to your accommodation. It’s just a few minutes from touchdown to doorstep.
Flying to St Mary’s (helicopter or Skybus)
On arrival at St Mary’s Airport, the Island Transfers team will take you to St Mary’s Quay*. From there, you’ll join the next scheduled boat to Tresco*.
If you’d prefer not to wait, private boat transfers can be arranged for a supplement by contacting Tresco Boat Services.
When you arrive at the quay on Tresco, our team will be there to welcome you and transfer you to your accommodation by electric shuttle.
Sailing on Scillonian III
If you’re travelling by sea to St Mary’s, you’ll normally board the onward boat to Tresco* (usually Firethorn) around 45 minutes after docking. Boat times are confirmed the day before on the Tresco Boat Services page.
Be sure to label your luggage with a blue Tresco tag - available on Penzance Quay - before boarding the Scillonian. It will then be moved directly onto the Tresco boat for you.
On arrival at Tresco Quay, we’ll meet you and take you on to your accommodation.
* Payable onboard (cash or card)
Departing from Tresco Heliport
If you’re flying with Penzance Helicopters, we’ll collect you from your accommodation around 1 hour and 15 minutes before your flight.
Your exact pickup time may vary slightly if we’re collecting other guests along the way, but there’s nothing you need to do - we’ll only contact you if anything changes.
Departing via St Mary’s
If you’re travelling from St Mary’s by helicopter, Skybus or Scillonian, please call our Transport Team on 01720 423373 between 2 – 4pm the day before departure. We’ll confirm your collection time from your accommodation and your boat time to St Mary’s.*
If you require an earlier departure, do let us know in advance and we’ll arrange the most suitable option.
On arrival at St Mary’s, Island Transfers will meet air passengers for the short journey to the airport.*
Flexible Collection & Luggage
Please use the luggage labels provided in your accommodation for your return journey.
We’ll usually collect you from your cottage, but if you’d prefer to spend your final hours elsewhere on the island, simply call 01720 423373 and let us know where to meet you.
Labelled luggage can be left in your accommodation for collection, leaving you free to enjoy your last moments on Tresco.
* Payable onboard (cash or card)
Tresco is blissfully car-free, so your vehicle will remain on the mainland while you’re away.
If you’re flying with Penzance Helicopters, parking is available on site at Penzance Heliport and is payable on exit - there’s no need to book ahead.
If you’re travelling with Skybus from Land’s End Airport, parking is provided by Isles of Scilly Travel or Westwinds Car Park. For departures from Cornwall Airport Newquay or Exeter Airport, you’ll find full parking details on the respective airport websites.
If you’re sailing from Penzance on Scillonian III, secure parking is available with Scilly Parking, Isles of Scilly Parking or Scillonian Park & Ride, all of which offer a convenient shuttle service to the quay.
We do everything we can to make Tresco welcoming and accessible for guests with mobility difficulties.
Many guests find the direct helicopter service to Tresco the simplest route, as it avoids quay steps and boarding boats - which can be more demanding, particularly at low tide.
Once on the island, please note there is no public transport. Our shuttle buses operate for arrival and departure transfers only, though our drivers will always do their best to assist where they can.
We also have a small fleet of golf buggies and mobility scooters available to hire exclusively for guests with limited mobility. As numbers are limited, these should be reserved well in advance.
If you’d like to talk through any aspect of your journey or your stay, please don’t hesitate to contact the Island Office on +44 (0)1720 422849 or email us. We’re always happy to help you plan ahead.
Dogs aren’t permitted in Tresco accommodation - except during our Dog-Friendly breaks in October - though they’re very welcome to join you on a day visit to the island.
We kindly ask that dogs are kept on a lead while exploring. They’re welcome on the Terrace at The Ruin Beach Café and in the garden and bar at The New Inn.
If you’re planning a longer stay with your four-legged companion, our dog-friendly Hell Bay Hotel on neighbouring Bryher offers a warm welcome.
The Isles of Scilly is well served by a reliable network of air and sea links. That said, we are an offshore destination, and from time to time, sailings or flights can be affected by weather or other operational factors.
For peace of mind, we strongly recommend arranging appropriate travel insurance to cover delays or disruption to domestic travel, including weather-related changes. While we’re unable to advise on specific policies, it’s worth checking that your cover reflects the nature of island travel.
We also suggest allowing generous time between your return from the islands and any important commitments - such as appointments, interviews or special occasions - in case plans need to shift.
Travel providers issue advisories if disruption is expected. These may be shared in advance or on the day of travel. For the latest updates and detailed FAQs, please refer to the Isles of Scilly Travel website (for Skybus and Scillonian) or the Penzance Helicopters website.
FAQs for Travel Disruption
The Isles of Scilly has a diverse and reliable transport system; disruption is rare. However, being an offshore location, the possibility of delays and disruption to your travel can never be ruled out completely.
Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about travel disruption, but if you have any other queries, please get in touch with your travel provider or the Island Office.
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:
- Transfer your flight or sailing to another time or date with no amendment fee, subject to availability or
- Cancelling your journey and receiving a full refund of the unused portion of the ticket or
- 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.
