Ferry to the Isles of Scilly
Penzance to St Mary’s in around 2 hours 45 minutes. Sail on Scillonian III, leave the car on the mainland and choose between a day trip or a longer island stay. Compare the ferry with flying before booking.
The Isles of Scilly ferry sails from Penzance to St Mary’s, taking around 2 hours 45 minutes on Scillonian III. It is a seasonal passenger service, so you leave your car on the mainland. From St Mary’s, local boats connect with the other inhabited islands.
The main choice is whether you want to spend part of the day at sea or reach the islands more quickly by air. For a holiday of several nights, the ferry can fit well. For a short visit, compare how much time each option actually gives you on Scilly.
Isles of Scilly ferry map
The mainland ferry arrives at St Mary’s. Use the map to place that arrival in relation to your accommodation: if you are staying on Tresco, Bryher, St Martin’s or St Agnes, you need an onward boat connection as well.
Ferry, plane or helicopter?
| Option | Journey | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Scillonian III | Penzance to St Mary’s, around 2h45; seasonal | You want to sail, have time for the crossing or find a suitable day-trip fare |
| Skybus from Land’s End | To St Mary’s, around 20 minutes in the air; year-round service | You want a short crossing or are travelling outside the ferry season |
| Other Skybus departures | Check the Exeter schedule; Newquay is currently suspended | The airport is more convenient for your mainland journey and flights operate on your dates |
| Penzance Helicopters | To St Mary’s or Tresco, around 20 minutes; year-round service | You want a short flight or a direct arrival on Tresco |
These are sailing or flying times, not complete door-to-door journeys. Add check-in, transfers and any onward boat. Ferry and flight baggage allowances differ, so check both when mixing transport.
Newquay update: Skybus has suspended Newquay-St Mary’s services until 16 March 2027, with a return planned for spring 2027. Check the operator’s latest service updates before planning around this airport.
Scilly ferry fares: day trip or a longer stay?
Check the fare for the kind of trip you are taking. A promotional day return is not the same ticket as a one-way journey or a return after several nights. Comparing those headline prices can give a misleading impression of what your holiday will cost.
The operator offers dedicated Scillonian day-trip fares. For a longer stay, price your actual outward and return dates, then add mainland parking and any onward island boat. If you are comparing flights, include the cost of reaching the airport and any extra baggage.
Book once your accommodation and travel plans fit together, especially when you need a specific sailing. Check the amendment and cancellation conditions before paying, especially if your dates may change.
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Sailing on Scillonian III: what to expect
On board you have passenger seating, cafés for drinks and snacks, and outside deck space. The crossing gives you time to watch the Cornish coast fall away and settle into the journey. Bring a layer for sitting outside, even when the weather looks pleasant in Penzance.
Take the sea conditions seriously if you are prone to seasickness. This is an open-sea crossing, and the operator can issue warnings that a sailing will be uncomfortable or take longer than planned. Day trips can also be cancelled even when other passengers are still travelling.
Our tip: check the travel advisory before leaving for Penzance. To reduce motion sickness, try a position near the middle of the ship, look towards the horizon and avoid reading or looking at a screen. Ask a pharmacist about suitable remedies before travel if you need them, and follow the instructions. The NHS has practical motion-sickness advice.
If the idea of nearly three hours at sea worries you, compare flights before booking. Flying reduces your time in transit, but flights can also be delayed or cancelled by weather. Neither option makes a tight onward connection a good idea.
When does the Isles of Scilly ferry run?
Scillonian III operates seasonally, broadly from March to November. Check the published ferry timetable for your dates: departure times and the number of sailings vary, and some days have a different pattern.
Outside the passenger ferry season, plan an air journey. Skybus serves St Mary’s from Land’s End year-round, while Penzance Helicopters offers year-round flights to St Mary’s and Tresco. Check operating days and availability before reserving accommodation.
Is a day trip to Scilly worth it?
We would consider a ferry day trip if you are already staying in west Cornwall and are happy for the crossing to be part of the outing. It gives you a first look at the islands without arranging an overnight stay. Just remember that the return sailings take around five and a half hours at sea in total.
For a first visit, keep the plan simple: explore Hugh Town, take a walk around the Garrison or spend some time by the beach. Check the actual arrival and boarding times before choosing a longer walk. You do not need to reach another island for the day to feel worthwhile.
If Tresco or another island is your main reason for going, plan those connections first. Adding two local boat journeys to a short ferry day trip can leave less time than you expect. Staying overnight, flying one way or flying directly to Tresco may suit that plan better.
Cars, luggage, dogs and boarding
Where do you leave your car?
You cannot book your visitor car onto the Scillonian as you would on a cross-Channel car ferry. Leave it on the mainland and travel on foot. If you drive to Penzance, arrange parking for the full length of your stay and allow time for the walk or transfer to the quay.
Use the operator’s Penzance parking information to compare the options. A space convenient for dropping someone off is not necessarily suitable for leaving a car for a week.
What happens to your luggage?
For eligible tickets, the published hold allowance is two pieces with a combined maximum of 25kg; no single piece may weigh more than 20kg. Hand luggage is one piece up to 5kg. Day-trip tickets do not include hold luggage. Check dimensions and any special items against the current luggage rules.
Hold bags travel in containers and are not accessible during the crossing. Keep essentials in your hand luggage. Delivery to accommodation on St Mary’s is a separate paid service; your ferry ticket does not automatically include onward transport for you or your bags to another island.
Can you bring a dog?
Yes, but book your dog in advance. Dogs must stay with their owners and remain on a lead, and some areas of the ship are restricted. Check the operator’s pet conditions, particularly if you plan to fly one way as well.
When should you board?
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Standard embarkation opens 1 hour 15 minutes before sailing and closes 30 minutes before departure; luggage needs to be dropped off before boarding. On double-sailing days, follow the specific instructions sent with your booking.
Getting to Penzance without a car
Penzance station is less than a 15-minute walk from the Scillonian departure point, according to the operator. That makes rail a practical option for a trip where you will be leaving the car behind anyway.
From London, compare a daytime train with GWR’s Night Riviera sleeper from Paddington. Check the connection against your ferry’s boarding deadline, not just its departure time, and allow a buffer for delays or engineering works. An overnight stay in Penzance is worth considering if the same-day connection is tight.
Island hopping from St Mary’s
St Mary’s is a practical base if you want accommodation and boat departures in one place. Local services, including the St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association, Tresco Boat Services and St Agnes Boating, provide inter-island journeys. Check the day’s departures and return arrangements locally; routes and landing points depend on conditions.
For a short visit, choose one extra island around what you most want to do: the Abbey Garden on Tresco, beaches on St Martin’s, or a quieter walking day on Bryher or St Agnes. If you are staying off St Mary’s, arrange the arrival transfer with your accommodation or local boat operator before leaving the mainland.
Our tip: confirm the last useful return boat before setting off for another island. Your mainland ferry and local boat are separate parts of the journey, and a tight connection can spoil an otherwise relaxed day.
What is changing with Scillonian IV?
The Steamship Group expects Scillonian IV to arrive in 2027 as the replacement for Scillonian III. The planned vessel includes stabilisers and improved accessibility. These are features of the future ship, not the ferry described in this 2026 guide.
If you are booking for 2027, check the operator’s new-vessel update and your booking details for the confirmed ship and schedule.
Our verdict: sail or fly to Scilly?
- For a few nights away: the ferry is worth comparing if you enjoy a sea journey and can allow time at either end.
- For a first day trip: look at the day-return fare and keep your plans on St Mary’s manageable.
- If you are prone to seasickness: consider flying, while still allowing for possible weather disruption.
- For Tresco: compare a direct helicopter flight with the ferry and onward boat.
- For both experiences: compare a Fly + Sail itinerary, checking baggage rules and how you will get between the mainland airport and your car or train.
Isles of Scilly ferry questions
Does the Scilly ferry run in winter?
The passenger ferry is seasonal. For travel outside its published season, check flights from Land’s End or the Penzance helicopter service.
Can you take a car to Scilly?
There is no visitor car-ferry booking on the Scillonian. Leave your car on the mainland or travel to Penzance by train.
Will I get seasick on the Scillonian?
That depends on the conditions and your own sensitivity. Read any weather advisory before travelling and consider flying if a long sea crossing is likely to be uncomfortable for you.
Can I visit for a day?
Yes, on suitable sailing dates. Work out your time ashore from that day’s schedule, and compare the dedicated day-return fare rather than two single tickets.
Is the ferry always cheaper than flying?
Compare live quotes for the same dates and type of trip. Include parking, baggage and local transfers; a promotional ferry day return is not a fair comparison with a flight for a longer holiday.
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Ferry talk: share your questions and tips
Planning a trip to Scilly? Leave your question or share a useful tip from your crossing.
Tips for ferry travellers
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