FAQs about Galapagos: Are there direct flights from Quito to the Galapagos?
Yes. Avianca operates direct flights from Quito (UIO) to Baltra (GPS) on select days without a Guayaquil layover. Most other services route through Guayaquil with a 40-minute stop. LATAM also operates routes via Guayaquil. A direct flight saves roughly 40–60 minutes of total travel time.
Other related frequently asked questions
If you're booking a cruise, it's strongly recommended to book your domestic flights through Voyagers or your cruise operator. Each cruise itinerary is tied to specific approved flights, and arriving on a different flight or a delayed service can mean missing the group's first excursion or, in the worst-case scenario, forfeiting the cruise entirely.
When returning from Galapagos, if you have your international flight booked on the same date from Quito or Guayaquil, it is imperative that this flight leaves Ecuador no earlier than 20h00. The main reason for this is because most of the times Galapagos flights suffer delays especially due to weather conditions, therefore it is best that if you necessarily need to flight out Ecuador on the same day, that you choose an evening flight back home or to your next destination, like Peru for instants.
However, it’s more recommended to flight on the next day if possible so you can board your international flight with ease of time.
Yes, it is possible; there is a local airline specialized on inter-island flights; they fly a small aircraft (Cessna plane) 3 times a week between Baltra Island and Isabela Island (Puerto Villamil) as well as between Baltra and San Cristobal Islands Last we heard, fares were a little over $135.00 one way per person so if you have the money and not the time, this is a great way to get from island to island.
You can also charter hourly planes between US$450 and US$ 600 (rates are subject to verification), but can gladly cater this service for you!
It depends on your itinerary. Most cruises and tours specify which airport to use. Some begin in Baltra and end in San Cristóbal (or vice versa), making an open-jaw route the most practical option. If you have flexibility, Baltra is more commonly used and has slightly more flight options.
Flights returning from Galapagos typically arrive in Guayaquil between 15:30 and 17:00, and in Quito between 16:00 and 18:00. If you have an international flight on the same day, it should depart no earlier than 20:00 to allow for potential delays. Flying out the following day is the safer option.
It depends on the season and how far in advance you book. Domestic flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos range from approximately $490 to $545 per adult. Prices are the same across all routes (Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra or San Cristóbal), so the choice of route depends on convenience rather than cost.