Red-footed booby flying over the Galapagos Islands
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How to Get to Galapagos: Prices, Flights, Airports, and Tips

User Avatar Author: Chris Klassen
1 year ago - January 1, 2023

Reading time: 9 mins

For visitors that wish to experience this incredibly unique destination, the Galapagos Islands can only be accessed by plane.

No boatscargo ships, or cruises serve the Galapagos directly from Ecuador’s ports. Furthermore, there is no bridge between the Galapagos and the Ecuadorian mainland, despite its proximity to the Ecuadorian coast on the world map. Fun Fact: Such a bridge would have to be double the width of Ecuador to reach the Galapagos – not exactly the equivalent of a Sunday afternoon drive! That’s why knowing how to get to Galapagos is always essential.

The only two airlines (LATAM and Avianca) that offer flights to the Galapagos only do so out of the significant Ecuadorian airports in Guayaquil and Quito’s capital city.

Direct international flights to and from the archipelago are non-existent.

Of course, the silver lining is that visitors can take advantage of their stopover to explore the Ecuadorian landscapes before getting to Galapagos Islands or after returning from them.

Plaza de San Francisco and Church and Convent of San Francisco at night, Old City of Quito, Ecuador, South America

METROJOURNEYS TIP: If you fly to the Galapagos from Quito, don’t miss out on the incredible experience of exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site from the comfort of our own Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel, which holds a prime spot right in the heart of Quito’s Old Town!

How much does it cost to fly to the Galapagos?

Keep an eye out for special prices with your flights as, occasionally; there are some excellent deals advertised. If you are looking at how to get to Galapagos, the average roundtrip prices hover around $450* for flights out of Guayaquil and around $555* for flights out of Quito. Of course, these prices can vary greatly depending on the time of the year. NOTE: For non-citizens and non-residents of Ecuador, published airfares have an added supplement of $150. Most airlines, however, will list their airfares with this supplement already included unless otherwise noted.

Also, remember that direct flights into Ecuador are not usual; This chart shows the airports that feature direct flights to Quito and Guayaquil and the airlines that offer said flights.

Country City Airline Airport (Departure) Airport (Arrival)
USA New York-Guayaquil LATAM JFK GYE
USA New York-Guayaquil JetBlue JFK GYE
USA Miami-Quito
Miami-Guayaquil
American MIA GYE; UIO
USA Atlanta-Quito Delta ATL UIO
USA Houston-Quito United IAH UIO
USA Ft Lauderdale-Quito
Ft Lauderdale-Guayaquil
Jet Blue FLL UIO; GYE
Spain Madrid-Quito
Madrid-Guayaquil
Iberia (LATAM) MAD GYE; UIO
Holland Amsterdam-Quito KLM AMS UIO

 

VERY IMPORTANT: When flying into the Galapagos, immigration requires that all visitors pay for the following two items in cash only:

It is highly recommended that you have these amounts in cash before arriving at the airport.

METROJOURNEYS TIP: See airfare that looks incredibly cheap? Always double-check and ensure that said airfare includes checked baggage (often, they don’t!). If in doubt, be sure to ask your airline!

You may also like: Best time to visit Galapagos

What’s the best option for booking my plane ticket to the Galapagos?

Taking into account that the only airlines that fly to the Galapagos are LATAM and Avianca, to know how to get to Galapagos, it’s essential to look at the benefits that you’d like to have upon purchasing your flight to the Galapagos, be it through the airlines themselves or travel agencies, such as Metrojourneys!

We strongly recommend that the best way to get to the Galapagos Islands it’s planning your trip or book your tour before buying your plane tickets, so you don’t have to travel long distances between islands on a speedboat or incur more expenses getting to Galapagos on an interisland flight to align with your cruise schedule or the things you have planned for your trip.

Benefits of booking your airline ticket with your Metrojourneys' package!
Metrojourneys offers round-trip flights to the Galapagos Islands for a fixed rate of:

International: $555* for adults. | National: $430* for adults and $270* for senior citizens.

Worth noting is that our airfare prices include the following benefits:

  • Airport Transfers: Comfortable, shared transport to and from Quito’s most prominent hotels (Casa Gangotena, Hilton, JW Marriott) or Guayaquil’s leading hotels (Courtyard, Oro Verde Guayaquil, Wyndham Guayaquil, Hilton, UniPark) for your Galapagos flights. This is offered for both your departure and arrival.
  • Airport Assistance: Any problem or language barrier is quickly resolved with our dedicated staff, who will be by your side when you leave your hotel to help you glide through check-in at our exclusive express counter. We can also help you out with…
  • Taking care of those additional fees: Remember the Galapagos National Park Fee and Transit Control Card? We’ll take care of those costs so that when you arrive in the archipelago, you don’t have to spend a frantic few minutes looking for cash.
  • Cruise Departure Guarantee: If you experience a delay in your flight to Galapagos, we guarantee that your Metrojourneys Galapagos cruise tour will only leave with you.
  • Priority Luggage: We guarantee, through our special Metrojourneys tag on your baggage, that your luggage will arrive on the islands with you! Because it happens that sometimes, airlines will remove bags from an airplane due to weight limitations. And there’s nothing worse than arriving on the islands without your bathing suit! So don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.

 

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At what time do flights depart to the Galapagos?

Always book your flights with time to spare before and after your Galapagos cruise departure days, as these tend to depart in the early morning. Departure flight times are usually as follows:

As these flights depart in the morning, they leave little room to explore the city beforehand, so we recommend spending at least one night in your chosen departure city to enjoy your time in Ecuador and give yourself time to breathe between traveling and sightseeing.

Which airport should I fly from and into for my Galapagos flight?

How to get to Galapagos Islands if your best option differs from the next person’s. It all depends on which international country you are coming from and your budget. However, it’s important to note that sometimes flight prices may take a dip, so keep checking between the airlines and your preferred travel agency to ensure you get the best deal.

These are the only International Airports that offer service to the Galapagos:

Plaza San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador

Plaza San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador

And these are the only national airports in the Galapagos that you can arrive in:

About those extra National Park fees...
Remember that you will be flying into one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine National Parks, which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This requires paying a fee (that must be paid in cash, so remember to bring a few bills along!) to assist with conservation and protection efforts. This entrance fee can range from $30 to $200, depending on different factors such as nationality and age. Additionally, visitors must purchase a Galapagos Transit Control Card ($20) before flying to the Galapagos. This Transit Control Card is acquired in mainland airports. Of course, if you wish to avoid the bother, Metrojourneys can take care of all of these fees when you book your Galapagos tour package with us! 

What are the Ecuadorian mainland international airports like?

Quito: Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)

Flying to Galapagos Islands from this airport: Approximately 2.5 hours (If you want to know how to get from Quito to Galapagos, you must know you will have a layover in Guayaquil).

The Mariscal Sucre International Airport was named the 2016 “World Travel Award Winner” for the third year in South America’s Leading Airport category. This is a highly sought-after award in the global community and is considered the “Oscar” of the airport industry.

An exterior view of Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport

An exterior view of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport

Various free services are available at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, including self-check-in, charging stations, free Wi-Fi, and even a small children’s play area. The VIP Lounge at the Mariscal Sucre Airport offers flyers a luxurious and quiet place to enjoy snacks, refreshments, and a collection of reading material.

There are lots of things to keep you busy at the airport while you wait for your connecting flight. Many waiting areas are available, along with VIP lounges. There’s an assortment of shops for you to browse and several different restaurants. The restaurants include both South American eateries and popular American franchises, including the only Outback Steakhouse in Ecuador!

Guayaquil: José Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)

Flight time to the Galapagos from this airport: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport is the closest major airport to the Galapagos. If you fly from here, your flight will be a slighter, shorter (non-stop!) journey to the Enchanted Isles.

This airport has received many awards, including one of the Best Airports in South America, awarded by Airports Council International. That’s not a surprise once you read the facts: it’s open 24 hours a day and offers non-stop international flights. It also has many connecting flights that go to several countries in South America, making it a gateway for accessing the rest of the continent.

A snapshot of Guayaquil's Jose Joaquin Olmedo airport from the outside

A snapshot of Guayaquil’s Jose Joaquin Olmedo airport from the outside

One of the main reasons people traveling to the Galapagos use the Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport is the slightly shorter flight time. Many luxurious items, such as Wi-Fi internet at the airport, allow flyers to spend their time here more comfortable. Many waiting areas are available, along with VIP lounges.

*Prices and rates are subject to change.

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