Flights To and From the Galapagos Islands

There are no direct international flights to the Galapagos from any country. The only flights that go to the Galapagos Islands are from Guayaquil and Quito. So, in order to get to the islands, you will need to book a flight either to Guayaquil or to Quito, then take a flight from your city-of-choice to the Galapagos.

Why? Since the Galapagos is a protected national park, there are tight regulations that an airline must meet in order to be allowed to fly to and from the islands. Given those strict rules, it’s unlikely that any international flights will ever operate to and from the Galapagos Islands. Thus, in order to arrive, you must fly through one of the two international airports in Ecuador, which are in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil.

You can fly to the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil (GYE) from:

– United States: Miami and New York

– Europe: Amsterdam and Madrid

– Latin America: Most major cities

You can fly to the Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito (UIO) from:

– United States: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and New York

– Europe: Amsterdam and Madrid

– Latin America: Most major cities

The Quito International Airport is one of your options for arriving to Ecuador. There is some important information to keep in mind about this route:

  • Flying from Quito to the Galapagos Islands takes around two and a half hours. Most of the flights make a stop in Guayaquil on the way to the Galapagos.

  • The Quito airport is the busiest airport in Ecuador and one of the busiest in South America.

  • Flights depart to and arrive from the United States, Europe, South America, and Central America daily.

  • If possible, it is worthwhile to spare day or two in Quito, the fascinating capital of Ecuador. You can visit the “Middle of the World” as well as the colonial section of the city.

  • The Quito airport is located around 11 miles (18 kilometers) outside of the city, so you will likely need to arrange transportation for the airport to the city center if you plan on leaving the airport.

If you prefer to go through Guayaquil, here is some key information about the Guayaquil International Airport:

  • Flying from Guayaquil to Galapagos takes around an hour and a half and all flights are direct flights.
  • The José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport was named the “Best Airport in Latin America” for two consecutive years by the International Airports Council (2008 and 2009).
  • Flights depart to and arrive from the United States, Europe, South America and Central America daily.
  • Guayaquil is a gem of a city, in fact it’s known as the Pearl of the Pacific – and it too is worth taking a tour of so you can have the chance to explore its life and beauty.
It’s Just a Hop, Skip and a Jump to the Galapagos Islands through Either Quito or Guayaquil… … since there are daily flights to the archipelago from both airports. Leaving from Quito or Guayaquil, you can land in Baltra Island or in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. Key points to consider:
  • Flying from Quito to the Galapagos takes around two and a half hours. Most flights from Quito make a stop in Guayaquil.
  • Layovers in Guayaquil tend to last around 50 minutes.
  • It is highly recommended to arrive in the city that you will be flying to the Galapagos from at least one day prior to the flight taking you to the islands to avoid problems that might stem from any potential delay or cancellation.
  • Booking your cruise and flight together is ideal, since cruises often work with specific flights to ensure that all the moving parts of the cruise itinerary are in order.

Important Tips for Your Flight to the Galapagos

  • If you book your flight while reserving your Galapagos cruise, you might be able to save big with a combination deal. For free help planning the best flight/cruise package, contact us now.
  • All flights to the Galapagos Islands start from mainland Ecuador (either Quito or Guayaquil). There are currently no direct international flights to the Galapagos.
  • Be sure to coordinate your flights to the Galapagos with your tour of the Galapagos – there are two main airports in Galapagos but cruises and tours start from different islands on different days, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re in the right place on the right day.

Dana Tours LLC | 2023