The relaxation dynamics of the isolated indole molecule has been tracked by femtosecond time-resolved ionization. The excitation region explored (283-243 nm) covers three excited states: the two pi* L-b and L-a states, and the dark pi sigma* state with dissociative character. In the low energy region (lambda > 273 nm) the transients collected reflect the absorption of the long living L-b state. The L-a state is met 1000-1500 cm(-1) above the L-b origin, giving rise to an ultrafast lifetime of 40 fs caused by the internal conversion to the lower L-b minimum through a conical intersection. An additional similar to 400 fs component, found at excitation wavelengths shorter than 263 nm, is ascribed to dynamics along the pi sigma* state, which is likely populated through coupling to the photoexcited L-a state. The study provides a general view of the indole photophysics, which is driven by the interplay between these three excited surfaces and the ground state.