Galapagos Flights | Galapagos Islands | Galapagos Cruises

Flights to Galapagos Islands

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).

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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.avianca galapagos airport

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.

What are my flight options?

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:

CHART FLIGHTS MAINLAND - GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

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

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.
 

How to choose the best route for my flights?

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.

New options: flights to Galapagos from Cuenca

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.

Frequently asked questions about flights to the Galapagos Islands

Can I book Inter-Islands flights?

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!

How to choose the best route for my flights?

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 “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.

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