Flights, overland routes, getting around locally, and visa requirements for 2026.
The Galápagos are accessible only by air from mainland Ecuador. Flights depart from Quito (3h) and Guayaquil (2h) to two island airports: Baltra (GPS), adjacent to Santa Cruz, and San Cristóbal (SCY). LATAM and Avianca operate the routes. All visitors must connect through mainland Ecuador — there are no direct international flights to the islands. A popular routing is to fly into Baltra and out of San Cristóbal (or vice versa) to avoid backtracking.
The three main inhabited islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela) are connected by daily speed boats (lanchas) operated by local operators. The journeys take 2–2.5 hours and cost $30–35 each way. The remote outer islands (Española, Fernandina, Genovesa, Darwin, Wolf) are accessible only on live-aboard expedition cruises — there are no regular transport services.
All visitors must obtain a Transit Control Card (TCT) before boarding their flight to the Galápagos on the mainland. The TCT is now obtained online through the official INGALA system. Your airline will check for it at check-in in Quito or Guayaquil. On arrival at the island airport, a $200 USD national park entry fee is paid in cash — bring exact change.
Santa Cruz is small enough that the town of Puerto Ayora is walkable. Taxis (pickup trucks) serve the main sites — agree the price before getting in. Day tours to outer sites (Tortuga Bay, highlands tortoises, Charles Darwin Station) are easily arranged from Puerto Ayora. Bicycles can be rented. All inter-site transfers on live-aboard cruises are included.