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Pre-Trip Checklist

Pre-Trip Checklist

England, UK

Essential Preparations

A timeline for a successful trip.

The Isles of Scilly Journey: A Comprehensive Timeline

Navigating your trip with precision.

1

-12 Months Before High Season

Accommodation

Book accommodation. This represents the main and most useful step for peak season travel.

Transport

Book Skybus flights or Scillonian III ferry tickets. Seats fill swiftly.

Travel Rewards

Capital One Travel can help with points for flights.

2

-6 Months Before Shoulder Season

Early Booking

Book accommodation and transport. Early booking yields more options, though less urgent than high season.

Passport & Visas

Check passport validity. Verify it stays valid for your entire stay. Some countries require validity for six months beyond your return date. Arrange any necessary UK visas. Verify requirements based on your nationality.

Travel Insurance

Acquire comprehensive travel insurance. This policy safeguards against unforeseen cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. World Nomads Travel Insurance offers comprehensive policies.

3

Month Before & Closer

Confirmations

Validate all bookings for accommodation and transport. Arrange currency (GBP) or ensure credit/debit cards are travel-ready. Inform your bank of your travel plans to circumvent fraud alerts. Download essential applications, like weather forecasts and transport apps.

Packing

Pack climate-appropriate clothing and other necessary items. Refer to the packing list from Section 3. Charge all electronic devices. Print or save digital copies of all essential documents and reservations. Keep these readily available. Notify your bank or credit card company of your travel plans again.

Final Checks

Validate flight or ferry status for potential delays or cancellations. This practice proves especially useful due to the islands' weather. Re-check baggage allowances for your selected transport method.

Important Pre-Bookings

Confirm reservations for a seamless trip.

Essential Reservations

  • Accommodation is advisable.
  • Mainland to Scilly transport (Skybus or Scillonian III ferry).
  • Any specific tours or activities with limited capacity, like popular wildlife boat trips or specialized dining experiences.
  • Consider Tresco Abbey Garden entry to reduce wait times.

Preliminary Investigations

Deepen your understanding before arrival.

Research Topics

  • Acquaint yourself with inter-island boat schedules and operations. They vary daily.
  • Examine specific islands you plan to visit, recognizing their unique features and attractions.
  • Look up local events that align with your visit. These occasions impart a special dimension to your trip.
  • Review maps for walking routes and distances.

Home Safeguards

Ensuring your residence's security and order.

Pet Care

  • Arrange pet care if needed.
  • Confirm feeding schedules.
  • Ensure comfort for animals.
  • Provide caretaker contacts.

Mail & Deliveries

  • Suspend mail or newspaper delivery.
  • Arrange for a trusted person to collect mail.
  • Manage package deliveries.
  • Set up mail forwarding.

Security & Contacts

  • Secure your home by locking all doors and windows.
  • Inform a trusted contact of your itinerary.
  • Provide emergency contact information.
  • Consider security measures like alarms.

Final Home Check

A thorough check of your home prior to departure prevents unnecessary worries during your trip.

Arrival & Departure Checklists

Initial steps upon arrival and smooth preparations for leaving the islands.

Welcome to Scilly

  • 1
    Clear Immigration:

    Clear immigration if arriving internationally via the mainland first.

  • 2
    Collect Luggage:

    Collect luggage upon arrival.

  • 3
    Proceed to Accommodation:

    Proceed to your pre-arranged transfer or taxi to accommodation on St Mary's. If arriving by ferry, walk to your Hugh Town accommodation or locate your pre-booked transfer.

Farewell Scilly

  • Souvenirs & Shipping:

    Allocate time to buy souvenirs before shops close on your final day. Consider luggage weight limits for Skybus if flying. Postal services handle shipping heavier items home. If liquids like local gin were purchased, pack them carefully in checked luggage if flying.

  • Confirm Departure:

    Confirm departure times for Skybus or Scillonian III. Allow ample time to reach St Mary's Airport or Hugh Town quay, specifically if coming from an off-island, as inter-island boat times warrant coordination. Allow extra buffer for potential weather delays if flying or taking the ferry. Weather conditions frequently cause significant alterations.

  • Final Checks:

    Organize transfers to St Mary's Airport or Hugh Town quay from your accommodation. Verify all belongings are packed. Double-check drawers and wardrobes. Settle any outstanding bills at your accommodation.

Orientation Strategies

Tourist Information Centre

Visit the Tourist Information Centre in Hugh Town for maps, current boat schedules, and local advice.

This is your first stop for island insights.

Hugh Town Layout

Acquaint yourself with Hugh Town's layout, pinpointing shops, restaurants, and the quay.

Quickly navigate main areas.

Currency Exchange

Withdraw cash from an ATM in Hugh Town if needed. Some smaller establishments prefer cash. Acquire any immediate necessities, like water or snacks, from the Co-op supermarket.

Be prepared for cash-only vendors.

Local Knowledge

Engage with locals for the best tips on hidden spots and current conditions on the islands.

Travel Logistics

Navigating to and from the islands and between them.

Getting to St Mary's

  • St Mary's Airport: Minibus transfer, which you arrange in advance or find available on arrival.
  • St Mary's Harbour: Walk if staying in Hugh Town, or utilize a pre-booked taxi or minibus for further accommodation.
  • Mainland connections by Skybus from Land's End, Newquay, or Exeter, or by Scillonian III ferry from Penzance.
  • Parking is available at mainland departure points; pre-booking is recommended.

Inter-Island Journeys

  • Daily boat services connect St Mary's to the other inhabited islands.
  • Tickets are usually purchased directly from boatmen at the quay.
  • Walking between sights on individual islands is the norm.
  • Check the daily boat board at St Mary's quay for departure times and destinations.

Effortless Travel

Plan your transport connections carefully, especially for off-island excursions.

Island life operates on its own rhythm; embrace the pace for a truly relaxing trip.