Cruise port Hugh Town (St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly)

Hugh Town is the main town on St. Mary's, the largest of the Isles of Scilly. Arrival is primarily via the Cornish mainland by ferry or plane, while cruise ships often use tender boats or smaller vessels dock at the quay. Thanks to the good connections to the mainland departure points, the island is easily accessible despite its location, though early planning is advantageous due to the island location and weather dependency.

Ferry from Penzance

A popular and picturesque arrival option is the ferry crossing with the Scillonian III from Penzance to Hugh Town Quay on St. Mary's. The crossing takes about 2 hours 45 minutes and offers beautiful views of the Cornish coast. The ferry operates seasonally from late March to early November. For drivers, Penzance is easily accessible via the A30. Various parking options are available in Penzance: The Scillonian Park and Ride (TR20 8TH) offers a shuttle service to the ferry terminal, with advance booking required 48 hours in advance and passengers and luggage must be dropped off at the quay beforehand. Alternatively, long-term car parks such as the Harbour Long Stay Car Park (TR18 2GB) are located about 800 meters (around a 10-minute walk) from the ferry terminal. For rail travelers, Penzance station is an important hub with direct connections from London Paddington; from there, the ferry terminal is easily reached in 5 to 15 minutes on foot.

Plane to St. Mary's Airport (ISC)

For a fast arrival, Isles of Scilly Skybus flights offer a direct connection to St. Mary's Airport (ISC). Flights operate year-round from Land's End Airport (LEQ) with a flight time of about 15 minutes, as well as from Newquay Airport (NQY) in around 30 minutes. Additionally, there are seasonal connections from Exeter Airport (EXT) with a flight time of approximately 60 minutes. After landing on St. Mary's, the airport is only about 1 to 2 kilometers from Hugh Town. A shuttle service from Island Transfers meets arriving flights and takes travelers to their destination on the island in a maximum of 15 minutes. A single ticket costs about 6 GBP, and advance booking is advisable for trips to the airport. Taxis are also available.

Arrival to the Mainland & Pre-Cruise Hotel

Guests from the DACH region can easily reach the departure points in Cornwall by car or train for their onward journey to the Isles of Scilly. The A30 motorway leads directly to Penzance, although increased traffic should be expected, especially on summer weekends. For rail travelers, Penzance station is the terminus for many train connections, including the Night Riviera Sleeper from London Paddington. From there, a shuttle bus enables a smooth transfer to Land's End Airport, which should be booked 24 hours in advance. Due to the longer journey from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and the potential weather dependency of ferries and small aircraft, a pre-cruise overnight stay on the mainland in Penzance or near one of the departure airports (e.g., Land's End) is highly recommended for a relaxed start to your cruise holiday. Some Park & Cruise providers in Penzance also offer practical overnight options on-site.

Check-in & Embarkation

Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.

The same applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always observe the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.