How do I get to the Galapagos Islands?

To reach the Galápagos Islands, you’ll first need to fly into mainland Ecuador.

Most travellers begin their journey to the Galapagos by flying into either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador’s two main international gateways. Both cities are well-connected to major airports across Europe, North America, and Latin America, with direct flights available from hubs like Madrid, Amsterdam, Miami, Houston, and Atlanta.

Quito, the capital, is nestled high in the Andes and offers a charming mix of colonial history and mountain scenery — a great place to acclimatise and explore before heading to the islands. Guayaquil, on the other hand, is a coastal city closer to the Galapagos, making it the most convenient option if you’re looking to minimise travel time.

Whichever city you fly into, we’ll help plan the smoothest route onwards to the islands, including any overnight stays and domestic connections. 

The Galapagos Airports

The Galapagos archipelago has two airports:

• Baltra Island (Seymour Airport, GPS) – the main entry point, serving Santa Cruz Island
• San Cristobal Island (San Cristobal Airport, SCY) – serving the easternmost populated island

Three airlines currently operate flights to the Galapagos: LATAM Ecuador, Avianca Ecuador and Equair (newest carrier, began operations in 2021).

All Galapagos flights operate from either Quito or Guayaquil, with these typical patterns:

• Quito to Galapagos: All flights stop in Guayaquil, making this essentially a two-leg journey
• Guayaquil to Galapagos: Direct flights taking approximately 1 hour 45 minutes

The daily flight schedule generally follows this pattern:

• Morning departures from Quito (07:00-09:00)
• Brief stop in Guayaquil (30-45 minutes)
• Arrival in Galapagos around midday
• Return flights depart Galapagos in the early afternoon, arriving back on the mainland by evening

Once in the Galápagos, getting around is relatively simple.

Depending on your travel style, you can explore the islands by cruise or island hopping. Many travellers opt for a cruise, which offers the convenience of visiting multiple islands without needing to arrange transport in between.

Alternatively, if you choose island hopping, local boats and inter-island flights are available to ferry you between islands, allowing you to experience the distinct charm of each destination at a more relaxed pace.

To make your journey even more seamless, we will help you plan the entire trip, from your international flight to your internal flights and cruises. With our expert guidance, you’ll be able to focus on the excitement of your Galápagos adventure, while knowing all your travel logistics are handled.

Get in touch and we will take all the stress out of your planning!

This guide was created by Val, specialist in tailor-made Ecuador and Galapagos adventures.