St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
Complete guide to Saint Mary's Airport (ISC) in the Isles of Scilly, UK. Learn how to get there, what to expect inside the terminal, and why these remote islands are worth the journey.
5 features verified at St. Mary's Airport
Saint Mary's Airport is a unique travel experience. Here's a concise review: Charming & Essential: It's the vital air link to the Isles of Scilly, offering stunning coastal views on short flights. Expect a small, friendly airport, where weather can play a role in schedules. It is a very unique and beautiful place to start your trip to the Isles of Scilly. Saint Mary's Airport is a unique travel experience. Here's a concise review: Charming & Essential: It's the vital air link to the Isles of Scilly, offering stunning coastal views on short flights. Expect a small, friendly airport, where weather can play a role in schedules. It is a very unique and beautiful place to start your trip to the Isles of Scilly.
If you're looking for something a little different but still in the UK, Saint Mary's and the other islands that make up the Isles of Scilly are the place to go. St Mary's is the main island with the capital of Hugh Town. 6 much like 'old Cornwall ', but the inhabitants are known as Scillonians. You can take the coastal path, which skirts the stunning coastline and can be walked In approximately 4 to 5 hours, although if ypu stop for a swim at one of the stunning beaches, it will take longer, but who's rushing! There is a local bus that runs all day if you want to explore and bikes can also be hired. If you're feeling really decadent, you can hire a Scilly cart for the day!. There's plenty to do to fill your time and even a week never feels long enough. There are also the off islands of St Martins, Tresco, Bryher and St Agnes to visit, each having there own individual charm.The Boatmens Association runs daily trips to these, leaving from St Mary's harbour every day, tickets are PS13 for a return. We flew from Lands End, 15 min flight to St Mary's Airport. There is also the Scillonian passenger boat, which leaves from Penzance Harbour every morning through the season and takes approximately 3 hours dependent on the wind and weather conditions, just be aware though it does have another title given to it by the locals and regular visitors, the great white sick bucket!
Delays and poor coffee offering from the cafe. The predatory practice of lurking outside the airport with no prices on show or an agreement of contract from the "shuttle" service. It's a taxi.. Prices should be up front and an agreement of services made before accepting passengers. Many people seem surprised that they have to pay, I'm not one of those for the record, but shows the misdirection and confusion as to the agreed services. I'll be sending an email to trading standards with regards to this murky pricing and entrapment style structure.
Very small. Check-in, cafe, toilets. That's all. Transport to destinations on St Mary's meets the flight arrivals. Other islands via ferry port. The noise from landing planes and helicopters can be heard all iver the island.
Saint Mary's Airport on the Isles of Scilly operates as the principal air gateway to this archipelago 45 kilometres off the Cornish coast. With a single 690-metre runway and a compact terminal that processes fewer than 100,000 passengers annually, it is one of Britain's smallest commercial airports. The airport connects the islands to the mainland via scheduled flights from Land's End, Newquay, and Exeter, primarily operated by Isles of Scilly Skybus. Because the islands have no road connection to the mainland, the airport serves as a vital lifeline for residents and a convenient option for tourists who want to avoid the three-hour ferry crossing.
Reaching Saint Mary's Airport requires first getting to the Isles of Scilly. From mainland Cornwall, the most common approach is to fly directly to the island. Flights depart from Land's End Airport (20 minutes), Newquay (30 minutes), or Exeter (60 minutes). The Land's End service runs year-round but is weather-dependent, especially in winter. If you are already on St Mary's after arriving by ferry from Penzance, the airport sits roughly 2 kilometres east of Hugh Town, the main settlement. A taxi costs about £6-8 and takes five minutes. There is also a public bus service (route 1) that runs between Hugh Town and the airport, timed to coincide with flights. Alternatively, walking from the town centre to the terminal takes around 25 minutes along a flat, scenic road. For those departing the islands, plan to arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes before take-off; check-in closes 20 minutes prior.
The terminal building at Saint Mary's Airport is a single-storey structure designed for efficiency rather than comfort. Enter through the wheelchair-accessible entrance; the car park directly outside has designated accessible spaces. Inside, a small check-in area with a single desk handles all flights. Security is minimal—bags are screened and passengers walk through a metal detector, but the process rarely takes more than a few minutes. The waiting area offers a handful of seats, a toilet (including a wheelchair-accessible toilet), and a vending machine for drinks and snacks. There is no café or shop, so bring supplies if you are waiting for a delayed flight. The departure lounge is essentially the same room, with a door leading directly onto the tarmac. Boarding announcements are made by staff, and passengers walk out to the aircraft on foot. The atmosphere is friendly and low-stress, but the lack of amenities means it is not a place to spend extra time. Plan to arrive and proceed through quickly.
The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of five inhabited islands and over 140 smaller ones, known for their white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and mild microclimate. The largest island, St Mary's, hosts the airport and the main town of Hugh Town. Tourism drives the local economy, with visitors drawn to the area's natural beauty, wildlife, and tranquillity. Highlights include the subtropical Tresco Abbey Garden, the ancient Bronze Age burial chambers on St Mary's, and the secluded beach at Porthcressa. The islands are also a haven for birdwatchers, with puffins, shearwaters, and rare migrants passing through. The sea around the islands is rich in shipwrecks, making it a popular destination for divers. Culturally, the Scillies retain a distinct identity, with a dialect and traditions separate from mainland Cornwall. The airport is more than a transport hub; it is the primary connection to the outside world. Without it, the islands would rely solely on the ferry, which takes three hours and is cancelled frequently in bad weather. Flights provide a reliable service for medical emergencies, supplies, and daily commutes. The airport's small size and simple operation reflect the community's needs—functional, direct, and resilient. For visitors, landing on St Mary's is an experience in itself: as the plane descends over the turquoise shallows and green fields, the sense of arriving somewhere genuinely different is immediate.
Saint Mary's Airport is not open every day. The terminal is typically open for flight hours, which are scheduled based on demand and weather. Check the official website (scilly.gov.uk/environment-transport/isles-scilly-airport) for current opening times. Flights operate year-round, but services are reduced in winter and subject to cancellation due to fog, high winds, or low cloud. The airport has a telephone number for enquiries: +44 (0)1720 422111. The car park is free and has spaces for around 30 vehicles, including designated accessible bays. There are no ATMs on site, so bring cash if you need it. The nearest cash machines are in Hugh Town. Luggage is restricted on Skybus flights—typically one checked bag per person (15 kg) plus hand luggage, so pack accordingly. For onward travel from the airport, pre-book a taxi or check the bus timetable, as services are limited and tailored to flight arrivals. One final piece of advice: if you are visiting in summer, book your flights and accommodation months in advance—the islands fill up quickly, and last-minute seats are rare.
St. Mary's Airport
Land's End Airport is owned and run by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. There are commercial flying activities available such as Aerial photography and charter work can also be arranged. You'll never have experienced another airport like Land's End. From the ample parking to the warm, relaxed welcome when you check in, flying has never been so easy.
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Wikipedia
More about St. Mary's Airport
Wikipedia
More about St. Mary's Airport
Land's End Airport is owned and run by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. There are commercial flying activities available such as Aerial photography and charter work can also be arranged. You'll never have experienced another airport like Land's End. From the ample parking to the warm, relaxed welcome when you check in, flying has never been so easy.
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