
The Archipelago of Galapagos is located 903 kilometers (563 miles) west of Continental Ecuador and so the only way to reach the Islands is via plane from Mainland. Because the Galapagos is a protected National Park, flight frequencies are limited but there are daily flights to/from the Islands from the two international Airports in Ecuador:
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (coded: UIO) located in the capital city of Quito and Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport (coded: GYE), in Guayaquil (coast region).
Where do we land and cost of flights?
Flights from Quito have a 40 minute layover in Guayaquil before heading to Galapagos. Total estimated flight-time is 2 to 2½ hours from mainland to the Archipelago.
Bear in mind that Galapagos has two Airports: Seymour Airport (coded: GPS) in Baltra Island and San Cristobal Airport (coded: SCY) located in the Island of the same name.
AVIANCA and LATAM Airlines are the main carriers serving these routes, and their prices vary depending on the season. Flight rates range between US$490 and US$545 per adult.
If you are taking a sailing cruise, it is best to book the flights along with the cruise as each cruise uses specific flights that complies with their approved itinerary and regular schedule. Arriving on later flights or other Airline that may suffer delays may result in missing the group’s arrival and greet, perhaps the first visit of the itinerary and even the complete forfeiture of the booked cruise.
When should I arrive to Ecuador?
It is very important to know that all flights to Galapagos depart from Quito between 06h30 and 07h00 and from Guayaquil between 08h00 and 09h00; therefore it is of great importance that you arrive to either City at least 24 hours (best if 48 hours) before your –pre scheduled flight date to the Islands, this in case your international flights and connections suffer delays or change on timings.
Moreover, if you are planning to leave Ecuador on the last day of your cruise or tour, remember that flights from Galapagos are susceptible to delays and the estimated of arrival to Guayaquil is around 15h30-17h00 and to Quito is around 16h00-18h00.
As mentioned, there are 2 airlines flying in/out Galapagos; Avianca and LATAM Airlines. There are several flights departing each day to Baltra and San Cristobal; it is also possible to fly to one airport and return from the other in the Galapagos.
Here is a sample chart of flight schedules from Avianca Airlines to use as reference on flight times and routes:
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CHART FLIGHTS MAINLAND - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS |
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| AVIANCA - BALTRA | ||||
| DAYS | FLIGHT # | NROUTE | DEPARTS | ARRIVES |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAY | AV1632 | UIO/GYE | 08H10 | 09H05 |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAY | AV1632 | GYE/GPS | 09H50 | 10H47 |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAY | AV1633 | GPS/GYE | 11H30 | 14H30 |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAY | AV1633 | GYE/UIO | 15H20 | 16H15 |
| FRIDAY | AV1632 | UIO/GYE | 08H15 | 09H10 |
| FRIDAY | AV1632 | GYE/GPS | 09H55 | 10H55 |
| FRIDAY | AV1633 | GPS/GYE | 11H40 | 14H35 |
| FRIDAY | AV1633 | GYE/UIO | 15H20 | 16H10 |
| SUNDAY | AV1632 | UIO/GYE | 08H05 | 09H00 |
| SUNDAY | AV1632 | GYE/GPS | 09H50 | 10H47 |
| SUNDAY | AV1633 | GPS/GYE | 11H32 | 14H27 |
| SUNDAY | AV1633 | GYE/UIO | 15H15 | 16H10 |
| TUESDAY & THURSDAY | AV1688 | UIO/GPS | 09H15 | 10H28 |
| TUESDAY & THURSDAY | AV1689 | GPS/UIO | 11H15 | 14H25 |
| MONDAY & WEDNESDAY | AV1688 | UIO/GPS | 11H10 | 12H20 |
| MONDAY & WEDNESDAY | AV1689 | GPS/UIO | 13H05 | 16H10 |
| WEDNESDAY | AV1686 | UIO/GPS | 07H50 | 09H05 |
| WEDNESDAY | AV1687 | GPS/UIO | 09H50 | 13H00 |
| FRIDAY | AV1688 | UIO/GPS | 07H00 | 08H20 |
| FRIDAY | AV1689 | GPS/UIO | 09H05 | 12H15 |
| FRIDAY | AV1680 | UIO/GPS | 13H00 | 14H15 |
| FRIDAY | AV1681 | GPS/UIO | 15H00 | 18H10 |
| TUESDAY & FRIDAY | AV1638 | UIO/GYE | 10H25 | 11H25 |
| TUESDAY & FRIDAY | AV1638 | GYE/GPS | 12H10 | 13H10 |
| TUESDAY & FRIDAY | AV1639 | GPS/GYE | 13H55 | 16H55 |
| TUESDAY & FRIDAY | AV1639 | GYE/UIO | 17H40 | 18H35 |
| THURSDAY | AV1638 | UIO/GYE | 10H25 | 11H25 |
| THURSDAY | AV1638 | GYE/GPS | 12H10 | 13H15 |
| THURSDAY | AV1639 | GPS/GYE | 14H00 | 16H55 |
| THURSDAY | AV1639 | GYE/UIO | 17H40 | 18H35 |
| SATURDAY | AV1638 | UIO/GYE | 10H00 | 10H57 |
| SATURDAY | AV1638 | GYE/GPS | 11H42 | 12H37 |
| SATURDAY | AV1639 | GPS/GYE | 13H23 | 16H15 |
| SATURDAY | AV1639 | GYE/UIO | 17H00 | 17H55 |
| SUNDAY | AV1638 | UIO/GYE | 09H20 | 10H20 |
| SUNDAY | AV1638 | GYE/GPS | 11H30 | 12H35 |
| SUNDAY | AV1639 | GPS/GYE | 13H20 | 16H15 |
| SUNDAY | AV1639 | GYE/UIO | 17H00 | 18H00 |
| *All flight numbers and times are subject to change without prior notice. | ||||
|
CHART FLIGHTS MAINLAND - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS |
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| AVIANCA - SAN CRISTOBAL | ||||
| DAYS | FLIGHT # | NROUTE | DEPARTS | ARRIVES |
| MONDAY | AV1682 | UIO/GYE | 10H00 | 11H00 |
| MONDAY | AV1682 | GYE/SCY | 11H45 | 12H35 |
| MONDAY | AV1683 | SCY/GYE | 13H25 | 16H15 |
| MONDAY | AV1683 | GYE/UIO | 17H00 | 18H00 |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY | AV1630 | UIO/GYE | 09H20 | 10H25 |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY | AV1630 | GYE/SCY | 11H20 | 12H15 |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY | AV1631 | SCY/GYE | 13H05 | 15H55 |
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY | AV1631 | GYE/UIO | 16H40 | 17H30 |
| FRIDAY | AV1630 | UIO/GYE | 08H00 | 09H00 |
| FRIDAY | AV1630 | GYE/SCY | 09H45 | 10H40 |
| FRIDAY | AV1631 | SCY/GYE | 11H25 | 14H15 |
| FRIDAY | AV1631 | GYE/UIO | 15H00 | 15H55 |
| SATURDAY | AV1682 | UIO/GYE | 08H15 | 09H15 |
| SATURDAY | AV1682 | GYE/SCY | 10H00 | 10H50 |
| SATURDAY | AV1683 | SCY/GYE | 11H35 | 14H25 |
| SATURDAY | AV1683 | GYE/UIO | 15H10 | 16H10 |
| SATURDAY | AV1630 | UIO/GYE | 09H20 | 10H20 |
| SATURDAY | AV1630 | GYE/SCY | 11H05 | 11H55 |
| SATURDAY | AV1631 | SCY/GYE | 12H40 | 15H30 |
| SATURDAY | AV1631 | GYE/UIO | 16H15 | 17H15 |
| SUNDAY | AV1630 | UIO/GYE | 08H00 | 09H00 |
| SUNDAY | AV1630 | GYE/SCY | 09H45 | 10H35 |
| SUNDAY | AV1631 | SCY/GYE | 11H25 | 14H15 |
| SUNDAY | AV1631 | GYE/UIO | 15H00 | 15H55 |
| *All flight numbers and times are subject to change without prior notice. | ||||
| CHART FLIGHTS MAINLAND - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS | ||||
| LAN/LATAM AIRLINES | ||||
| DAYS | FLIGHT # | ROUTE | DEPARTS | ARRIVES |
| MONDAY & THURSDAY | LA-1411 | UIO/GYE/GPS | 06H55 | 09H31 |
| MONDAY & THURSDAY | LA-1410 | GPS/GYE/UIO | 10H11 | 14H32 |
| TUESDAY | LA-1417 | UIO/GYE/GPS | 11H42 | 14H15 |
| WEDNESDAY | LA-1417 | UIO/GYE/GPS | 12H21 | 13H30 |
| FRIDAY | LA-1411 | UIO/GYE/GPS | 06H55 | 09H31 |
| FRIDAY | LA-1410 | GPS/GYE/UIO | 10H11 | 14H29 |
| FRIDAY | LA-1415 | UIO/GYE/GPS | 09H10 | 11H41 |
| FRIDAY | LA-1414 | GPS/GYE/UIO | 12H21 | 17H00 |
| SATURDAY | LA-1415 | UIO/GYE/GPS | 09H10 | 11H41 |
| SUNDAY | LA-1414 | GPS/GYE/UIO | 10H07 | 14H36 |
| TUESDAY | LA-1419 | UIO/GYE/SCY | 09H30 | 11H58 |
| TUESDAY | LA-1418 | SCY/GYE/UIO | 12H38 | 16H51 |
| SATURDAY | LA-1419 | UIO/GYE/SCY | 10H10 | 12H34 |
| SATURDAY | LA-1418 | SCY/GYE/UIO | 13H34 | 17H42 |
| SUNDAY | LA-1419 | UIO/GYE/SCY | 07H40 | 10H04 |
| SUNDAY | LA-1418 | SCY/GYE/UIO | 10H44 | 15H15 |
| *All flight numbers and times are subject to change without prior notice. | ||||
It is suggested to define your international flight schedule before booking domestic flights; depending from where you plan to fly to Ecuador, you can find excellent and different deals arriving/departing to Quito or Guayaquil.
The prices for domestic flights are the same in all routes to/from Galapagos so if you find a good deal for international flights, we can gladly book your domestic flights in consistence with them.
Can I book Inter-Island flights?
Yes, it is possible. In the Galápagos, a local airline called EMETEBE specializes in inter-island flights, operating small aircraft (Cessna planes) with a capacity of up to 9 passengers. They offer scheduled services between San Cristóbal (SCY), Baltra (GPS), and Isabela (IBB – Puerto Villamil), often using Baltra as a transit point. Most routes take approximately 75 minutes in total, depending on the itinerary and season.
Inter-island flights operate daily with up to two scheduled departures per day. However, the number of operating flights depends on passenger demand; if demand is low, only one daily departure may operate.
Recent prices (subject to availability and seasonal changes) start from approximately US$153–US$199 one way per person, depending on the route and travel dates. If you have the budget and prefer to save time, this is an excellent way to move between islands.
You can also arrange private charter flights, typically ranging between US$450 and US$600 per hour (rates are subject to verification). We can gladly assist you with both scheduled flights and charter options.
Can I book “Open Jaw” Routes?
Yes, flights can be booked on a specific route i.e. Quito/Baltra/Quito with option to modify the route eventually considering available flights and possible penalties for changing on routes or dates.
What is the best way to connect with my international flight?
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.
IMPORTANT: Please note that while you are allowed to fly to the islands on your own, most locations require you to be accompanied by a certified guide for access. Find more information about our tours.
Travelers no longer need to connect only via Quito or Guayaquil to reach the Galapagos. Thanks to a new route operated by LATAM Airlines Ecuador, Cuenca is now linked with Baltra (GPS) on a same–plane service via Quito, with limited weekly frequencies. This connection reduces travel time for visitors from southern Ecuador and opens an attractive alternative for both national and international tourists.
These flights complement the existing services from Quito and Guayaquil to Baltra and San Cristobal, increasing overall capacity and flexibility to plan your itinerary. Schedules and operating days are subject to change, so it is essential to check availability and timetables at the time of booking or let our team arrange the best option for your Galapagos program.
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 is suggested to define your international flight schedule before booking domestic flights; depending from where you plan to fly to Ecuador, you can find excellent and different deals arriving/departing to Quito or Guayaquil.
The prices for domestic flights are the same in all routes to/from Galapagos so if you find a good deal for international flights, we can gladly book your domestic flights in consistence with them.