Major city · Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha
Plan a 7‑14‑day ship expedition, arrive by vessel from Cape Town; no land overnight, sleep aboard or in approved homestays.
Tristan da Cunha is the world’s most remote inhabited island; access only by ship (5‑10 days from Cape Town). Visitors must stay on board or in pre‑approved accommodation, making a week‑plus stay essential.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (storm season)
- Airport
- none
- Nights
- 7–14
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ↗Entry rules are set by each island's government, not the UK: Saint Helena issues a short-term entry permit on arrival (about £20, cash) to visitors with a return ticket, booked accommodation and medical-evacuation insurance of at least £175,000 (check).
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ↗Ascension has no right of abode; visitors need a visa arranged before travel through the Ascension Island Government, with a return ticket, accommodation and at least £500,000 of medical insurance (check).
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ↗Tristan da Cunha requires prior approval from the Island Council, and berths on the few ships from Cape Town are limited.
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ↗Carry travel insurance that includes medical evacuation; hospital facilities are limited and evacuation is long and expensive.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tristan da Cunha999 ▾
- Police / medical999
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tristan da Cunha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Saint Helena and Ascension use the Saint Helena pound (SHP), at par with pound sterling (GBP); sterling notes are accepted…Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha-wide
- SIM or eSIMSure runs the mobile network on Saint Helena and Ascension; SIMs are sold in Jamestown.Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha-wide
- Tap watercheckTap water is treated on Saint Helena (check locally); bottled water is available.Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Around 10% if service is good.Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; main risks are weather‑related delays and limited medical facilities; carry evacuation insurance.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in Jamestown and at main sites; none on the trails.Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police / medical
- Sundays & holidayscheckShops close early on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Jamestown and on Sundays; the bank closes at weekends (check).Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- Airportnone No airport – access by ship only (Tristan da Cunha has no airfield; all visitors arrive by vessel from Cape Town.).
- Getting aroundWalk is primary; a local bus (free for pensioners, £5 (≈ US$7) return) runs to the Potato Patches.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus to Potato Patches (return)£5 (≈ US$7)
- Budget bedSelf‑catering room, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedHomestay with meals, a night, per person£85 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedHomestay with meals, a night, per person£110 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £130 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- none No airport – access by ship only (Tristan da Cunha has no airfield; all visitors arrive by vessel from Cape Town.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest May (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tristan da Cunha: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk is primary; a local bus (free for pensioners, £5 return) runs to the Potato Patches. No hire cars.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Queen Mary's Peak
goDoor to door: ≈3 h round trip
Guided hike from settlement; 2‑hour walk to base, longer for summit (weather‑dependent)
Guide fee £200 for summit, £60–£120 for base.
Potato Patches
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Local bus or shared car, 3 mi (≈5 km (3.1 mi)) eastLocal bus or shared car, 3 mi (≈3.1 mi (5 km)) east
Bus £5 return; scenic walk possible.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Self‑catering accommodation
£30 per night, board your own gear.
Homestay (meals & laundry)
£65 per night, discounts for locals/children.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £30–£65 (≈ US$40–90) excl. transport
- Mid
- £80–£120 (≈ US$110–160) excl. transport
Trip budget
| Homestay with meals2 × 10 nights × £85 | £1,700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 10 days × £80 | £1,600 |
| Return ship ticket (SA Agulhas II)2 × £500 · check | £1,000 |
| Guide for Queen Mary's Peak summit2 × £200 · check | £400 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × £30 · check | £60 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £714 |
| Trip total≈ £274 per person per day, bed included | £5,474≈ US$7,500 |
2026 estimate in GBP; flights to Cape Town excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus to Potato Patches (return) | £5 (≈ US$7) |
| Guide to Queen Mary's Peak base | £60 (≈ US$80) |
| Guide to summit | £200 (≈ US$300) |
| Golf round (remote course) | £20 (≈ US$30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ship slots are limited; higher‑priority vessels (medical, officials) may displace tourists.
- Weather can cancel departures; plan flexible dates.
- Overnight stays on land are prohibited without prior approval.
Emergency numbers
- Police / medical
- 999
Pocket card
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Tristan da CunhaTristan da Cunha
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / medical999
Embassy
UK consulate in Saint Helena (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cape Town → Tristan da Cunha (SA Agulhas II): about £500 (≈ US$700) return, 5–10 days travel (check)
- Bus Edinburgh → Potato Patches: £5 (≈ US$7) return
Say or show
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (sorry)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it?)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (can i pay by card?)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (where is the toilet?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tristan da Cunha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (storm season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Secure ship slot (SA Agulhas II or fishing vessel) at least 12 months ahead.
- Obtain landing permission from Island Council via email (admin@tristandc.com).
- Arrange accommodation (self‑catering or homestay) before arrival.
Sources
Ask about Tristan da Cunha
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