Ecuador & the Galapagos: Getting There
International flights to Ecuador arrive in Quito or Guayaquil. The Galapagos Islands are located on the equator some 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador in South America. Visitors fly to the Galapagos from the international airports in Quito or Guayaquil.
Where should I arrive in Ecuador?
Arrive in and depart from Guayaquil if you only wish to see the Galapagos in Ecuador or if you are combining the Galapagos with Peru.
Arrive in and depart from Quito if you wish to see the Galapagos and other highlights of mainland Ecuador including its beautiful volcanic mountain ranges and the Amazon.
You may wish to arrive in one city and depart from the other. Contact us for advice!
AWR can help arrange your local and international flights.
International Airport Departure Tax:
- Guayaquil: $27.15/person as of January 1, 2013
- Quito: $56.66/person
- Payable only in cash
- These taxes may or may not be included in your international airfare, therefore you should have enough cash on hand to pay them. For certain tickets a portion of the new taxes are included and you will be expected to pay the difference, currently $15.86/person when departing from Quito. If you purchased your ticket after February 2, 2013, all the taxes should be included in your ticket.
Flight Information FOR THE GALAPAGOS
The flights to the Galapagos depart from Quito with a stop-over in Guayaquil en-route before heading to Galapagos' airport where passengers meet their guides and head off on their cruise of the islands. The flights leave every morning from Quito or Guayaquil. The flight from Guayaquil to Galapagos lasts approximately two hours. From Quito travel time is approximately three and a half hours.
Flights are automatically confirmed with the cruise. It is recommended to check in two hours prior departure.
Shuttle services IN & OUT from the main hotels in Quito and Guayaquil are provided in combination with our cruise departure dates. Transfers between the hotel and the airport is $50/person one-way.
**Luggage: Only one checked bag (maximum 20 kg / 44 lbs) and one carry-on are allowed per passenger. Checked luggage should be soft-sided (i.e., no hardsided suitcases).
*** NOTE: Each cruise will handle flights to ensure that you arrive and depart from the correct airport at the appropriate times. Cruises will also ensure that your luggage is transfered to and from the vessel. It is mandatory that all passengers use vessel flights to guarantee passenger dingy ride and luggage transfer from airport to port and to ship. Do not book Galapagos flights on your own or you may not be able to join your cruise with those flights!
Who will meet you at the Airport in Galapagos?
Upon the arrival to the Baltra Airport or San Cristobal Airport, your guides will be waiting for you with a sign of the ship. They will receive the passengers, check the passengers in the list to verify no one has been left behind, and transport them in the airline's bus to the dock where the vessel is anchored.
Flights to/ FROM San Cristobal
Aerogal Flights 2013
To the Galapagos:
- Quito-San Cristobal 10:10am-12:40pm 2K030 (flight stops in Guayaquil)
- Guayaquil-San Cristobal 11:45am-12:40pm 2K030
From the Galapagos back to the mainland:
- Baltra-Guayaquil: 13:15pm-16:10pm 2K031
- Baltra-Quito: 13:15pm-17:35pm 2K031 (flight stops in Guayaquil)
Flights to/ FROM Baltra
Aerogal Flights 2013
To the Galapagos:
- Quito-Baltra 7:40am-10:00am 2K032 (flight stops in Guayaquil)
- Guayaquil-Baltra: 9:10am-10:00am 2K032
From the Galapagos back to the mainland:
- Baltra-Guayaquil: 10:45am-13:35pm 2K033
- Baltra-Quito: 10:45am-15:05pm 2K033 (flight stops in Guayaquil)
*** NOTE: these flight times are for general information only. Flight times subject to change.
Flight Prices
All prices are approximate until booked and in U.S. dollars.
| Route | Adult Price | Children under 12 |
| Quito-Galapagos-Quito | $575 | $350 |
| Guayaquil-Galapagos-Guayaquil | $525 | $300 |
| Quito-Galapagos-Guayaquil | $545 | $325 |
| Guayaquil-Galapagos-Quito | $545 | $325 |
