Galapagos Islands Airports
It's little surprise that the Galapagos Islands attract over 200,000 tourists each year. This beautiful archipelago is one of the most pristine places on earth and home to some of the most diverse & unique wildlife.
Located 1000km off the coast of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean, the best way to get to Galapagos is to fly. But, with 3 different Galapagos Islands airports to choose from, trip planning can become confusing. Inadvertently booking the wrong Galapagos flight route can even be catastrophic for your vacation. So, it pays to know the difference between each Galapagos Island Airport early on during trip planning.
In this blog post, we'll take a look at each Galapagos Islands airport in turn, to help you make the right choice for your vacation. We'll also cover lots more Galapagos airport & flight FAQs.
So, keep reading for all of the answers you'll need about Galapagos Island Airports.
What Airport Do You Fly Into For The Galapagos Islands?
Although there are 3 different Galapagos Islands Airports, visitors actually only have a choice of two airports to fly into: Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island and San Cristobal Airport (SCY) on San Cristobal Island. The third Galapagos airport, on Isabela Island, serves short-hop, intra-island flights only.
So, let's take a closer look at each airport for the Galapagos Islands in turn...
1. Seymour Galapagos Airport, Baltra Island (airport code: GPS)
Seymour Airport is the main gateway to the Galapagos islands. Located on Baltra Island, Seymour Airport is just a short ferry ride away from central Santa Cruz Island. As a result (and rather confusingly) many people refer to Seymour as Baltra Airport or even Santa Cruz Airport.
Flights from both Quito and Guayaquil operate at GPS airport.
Seymour Airport Facilities
Seymour Galapagos airport has modern facilities, including a VIP lounge, various gift shops, and cafes. It also offers services such as Wi-Fi, an ATM machine, and a basic medical center.
How to get from Seymour airport to Puerto Ayora Town?
For Galapagos cruise passengers it's all plain sailing (pun intended) - you'll be met by your guide at airport arrivals and whisked straight off to your yacht.
For land tourists who need to get to Puerto Ayora town, you still have a little journey ahead of you.
Firstly, take the 5-minute Lobito bus shuttle ($5 per person, tickets available at the counter outside of the Seymour airport terminal building) to Itabaca Channel. From there, hop onto the ferry which makes the quick channel crossing every 15 minutes, over to Santa Cruz island. There, pickup truck taxis ($25 per taxi) & local buses ($5 per person) transport tourists across to the south side of Santa Cruz island, to the town of Puerto Ayora, taking approx 45 minutes.
The world's first ecological airport
Welcome to the world’s first green airport! Incredible though it may seem, Seymour airport is officially recognized as the very first ecological airport on the planet!
Inaugurated in 2012, the Seymour Galapagos Islands airport terminal was constructed from recycled steel tubes previously used in oil drilling operations in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest. This impressive airport at Galapagos also uses clean, renewable technology including solar and wind energy and desalinated water. Construction took the surrounding environment into account, focusing on causing minimal impact on the Galapagos ecosystem.
Fun fact about Baltra Island's Seymour Airport
The original Seymour airport runway and installations were constructed during World War II. At that time, Baltra Island served as a strategic US military base, used by the airforce to protect South America and the Panama Canal against Japanese submarine attacks.
If you look closely today, it's still possible to see some of the remnants of military installations scattered around the airport site.
2. San Cristobal Galapagos Airport (Airport Code: SCY)
Opened in 2014, San Cristobal Galapagos Islands Airport is located (unsurprisingly) on San Cristobal island, to the southeast of the archipelago.
Flights from both Quito and Guayaquil operate at SCY airport.
San Cristobal Airport Facilities
Although considerably smaller than Seymour, this airport is modern and equipped with a single runway and terminal building. Services include food kiosks and a few souvenir shops.
How to get from San Cristobal Airport to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Town?
San Cristobal airport is located just outside of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno town. Taxis are available outside of the airport terminal building and charge just a few dollars to most hotels. It's even possible to walk into town should the desire take you.
3. Isabela Galapagos Airport (Airport Code: JBQ)
In truth, Isabela Airport is not much more than a basic landing strip, serving intra-island flights from Seymour and San Cristobal airports.
It's not possible to fly from mainland Ecuador directly into Isabela.
Emetebe airline serves Isabela Airport with small Britten-Norman BN2 Islander aircraft.
Isabela Airport Facilities
Visitors should not expect any facilities of note at Isabela Galapagos Airport.
How to get from Isabela Airport to Puerto Villamil?
To reach the small town of Puerto Villamil from Isabela Airport, it is highly recommended to prebook an airport transfer to meet you on arrival. The ride into town is quick, but taxis are not always available at the tiny terminal building.
So, Which is the Best Galapagos Islands Airport?
Now you've been introduced to each Galapagos Islands Airport, we're ready for the million-dollar question ... is it best to fly into Baltra (Seymour) or San Cristobal airport?
Given that both Seymour and San Cristobal airports are modern and accessible with daily flights from mainland Ecuador, the decision usually comes down to your own personal travel plans.
Best Galapagos Islands Airport for Cruise Passengers
Tourists with a pre-booked Galapagos cruise departure should check flight routes with their travel agent. Cruises can start or finish at either Seymour or San Cristobal airports, so check your cruise itinerary carefully before booking flights. It's surprisingly easy to book the wrong flight route, and miss the connection to your cruise!
Many agencies (including Happy Gringo) and cruise companies offer to handle flight bookings for their cruise clients. This is recommended to be sure you fly into and out of the correct Galapagos Airport, to link up smoothly with your cruise departure.
Best Galapagos Airport for Land Tourists
Land tourists have much more flexibility - it all depends on which islands you wish to visit, and in which order. It's even possible to fly into one Galapagos Islands airport, and out of another - perfect for visiting multiple islands at your own pace.
Santa Cruz Island (and Seymour Airport) is the centrally located hub, convenient for booking day excursions. San Cristobal island (and airport) is smaller and more laid-back, with great beaches and walking trails to explore by yourself.
Don't forget that Emetebe airline serves all 3 Galapagos airports, so it's easy to hop from island to island for a more diverse experience. There are also daily speedboat departures from Santa Cruz to both San Cristobal and Isabela islands.
FAQ - Galapagos Islands Airports & Flights
Is There a Galapagos International Airport?
A question we receive frequently is "Can I fly direct to the Galapagos?" At the time of writing, the answer is no.
All flights to the Galapagos Islands depart from Quito or Guayaquil airports in mainland Ecuador; there are no direct flights from other countries. So, travelers must make a stopover in either Quito or Guayaquil cities, before making the final leg of the journey to the Galapagos.
From which airports can I fly to Galapagos?
There are two mainland Ecuador airports serving the Galapagos islands with daily flight departures.
- Quito - Mariscal Sucre International Airport (airport code UIO)
- Guayaquil - Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport (airport code GYE)
It's even possible to fly from one Ecuador city and back into the other, making it easy to visit the Andes and coast of Ecuador before/after your Galapagos vacation.
What Time do Flights Depart to the Galapagos?
Flight schedules change frequently, so please consult with our sales team for current timings and departure options.
As a general rule, Galapagos Islands flights depart from mainland Quito and Guayaquil early in the morning, usually from 07:00 to 10:00.
Return flights from Galapagos to the mainland depart from mid-morning to midday.
photo taken from : Photo taken from: line.17qq.com
Flight duration from Quito to the Galapagos Islands is around 2.5 hours, with a brief stopover in Guayaquil City to pick up more passengers.
There's also a 1-hour time difference between Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, so don't forget to adjust your watch on arrival.
How much do Galapagos flights cost?
Galapagos flight fares vary greatly, but US$500-550 is the typical average price per person for a return ticket.
It's sometimes possible to find cheaper fares online, but do be careful to check that you are booking a fare applicable to foreign visitors. Ecuador resident fares are considerably cheaper, but foreigners who book a resident fare will be charged the difference at check-in, if unable to produce an Ecuadorian cedula ID card.
Special Airport Processes for Galapagos Flights
In order to protect the pristine and fragile Galapagos Islands ecosystem, there are several important airport processes that differ compared to regular travel routes.
Before check-in at Quito or Guayaquil airports, all travelers must pass through 2 steps.
1. Emit an Ingala Transit Control Card (TCC). This acts as an immigration control for Galapagos visitors. The process is simple, just queue at the counter, present your passports, pay the $20 fee, and you'll be issued your TCC.
Photo taken from: mapio
2. Scan your bags at the SIGCAL counter (look for the "ABG Inspeccion de Equipaje" sign). Authorities are checking for live animals, plants, and seeds, all of which are prohibited items.
Once travelers have cleared these 2 steps, it's time to check in at the airline counter and wait for your flight departure.
Once in the air, flight attendants will spray overhead bins with an insecticide. This further reduces the possibility of accidentally introducing insects to the islands. This can be uncomfortable, so close your eyes and mouth, while waiting for the spray to disperse.
Photo taken from: mapio
Special Airport Processes At Galapagos Islands Airports
Upon arrival at the airport in Galapagos, passengers first need to pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee. The cost per person is $100 ($6 for Ecuadorians), rising to $200 as of 1st August 2024 ($30 for Ecuadorians). This fee is payable in cash only.
Next, all arriving bags are subject to K9 security checks. Specially trained sniffer dogs will check all bags for prohibited items. Once complete, pick up your bags to depart the airport.
Photo taken from: mapio
On your return journey to Quito or Guayaquil, it is necessary to show your Transit Control Card (TCC) once again, as immigration proof that you are leaving the islands.
So, Which Galapagos Islands Airport Will You Choose?
That just about covers everything you need to know about Galapagos Islands Airports. Hopefully, it's enough to get you started with trip planning and to avoid the mistake of flying into the wrong airport.
For more information, check out these useful links for organizing your Galapagos vacation:
How to get to the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Cruise vs Land Tour - Which is best?
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