Visiting the Scilly Islands
 

Hello All, Two years ago while you all helped my plan my trip to the Channel Islands there were several people who mentioned the Scilly Islands as an alternative. Now it seems this year I may be able to check that off my bucket list. I am going to be in the Cornwall area Apr 14 to 21 on an organized tour and would like to tack the Scilly Islands on at the end. I can allow 4 to 5 extra days for this but am having trouble sorting logistics and would like a head start on my research.

I will be starting from the Bath area, travelling to Scilly and then back to Heathrow for flight home. It looks like the travel will be a bit complicated. Was looking at train schedules but takes 2 switches (3 trains) from Bath to Penzance and the same from Penzance to Heathrow. Seems like a large room for error and missed connections if there are delays.

I know there are some direct flights from Exeter to Scilly. Perhaps I can train Bath to Exeter and then fly to Scilly. Money will be an issue since I will have blown a lot of budget on organized tour. The Great Western Railway has no information on their schedule for 2016 so planning a little tricky.

Thanks for any input. Once I figure out the travel thing I will start planning my time on Scilly.

Kinloch

I looked at visiting the Scillies this year, taking the night train from Paddington. It was so difficult to find accommodation that I gave up on the idea, so I would recommend booking as early as possible if you decide to go. My impression was that a lot of people book a year ahead.

I would not expect the train schedules to be significantly different next year, and they won't be loaded until December. For info on the night train to/from Cornwall, see seat61.com.

Thank you for the quick reply. So this night train thing looks doable. If I leave St Mary's on Monday afternoon, take overnight train to Paddington. It looks like there is a direct express train to Heathrow so I should be able to make an afternoon flight no problem. Thanks for that input.

I believe the express from Heathrow runs every 15 minutes. I've never taken it, as I take the tube and sleep along the Piccadilly line. However, there is also a cheaper train that is nearly as fast - Heathrow Connect, maybe?

Hello All. I would wanted to add some of my own comments in case future readers read this. thursdaysd was absolutely correct if you want to visit the Scillys plan ahead. I will be going there in April 2016. I have booked accommodations but I was turned down by my first 10 b and b choices because they were already full. Plan ahead for this destination. Since I have no interest in 4 hours on rough seas I plan to fly in both directions. The itinerary is train Bath to Exeter, fly Exeter to Scillys. After 4 days on Scillys fly to Lands End, connector bus to Penzance and then night train to Paddington. Trip report to follow in 7 months!!