Flying From Quito To Baltra Island
Flying from Quito to Baltra Island: My Experience and Lessons Learned From Avianca Airlines
Getting to the Galapagos Islands is a bucket list dream, but the actual journey from Quito to Baltra Island involves more than just a standard flight. After navigating this route with my family and girlfriend, I realized there are several logistical hurdles and fees that can catch you off guard if you aren’t prepared.
In this post, I’m sharing exactly what to expect—from the airline frustrations to the transit steps required to reach Santa Cruz—so you can avoid the mistakes I made.
Key Takeaways
- Which Airline to Use: I chose Avianca, but it was a frustrating experience due to booking glitches and strict fee structures. You may want to compare them with other options or follow their check-in rules to the letter.
- Traveling to Baltra & Santa Cruz: Most flights land on Baltra Island. To reach the main hub of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, you’ll need to navigate a sequence of a shuttle bus, a ferry, and a taxi.
- Costs: Expect to pay approximately $510 USD per person for the core transit. This includes round-trip flights (~$350), the $200 entrance fee, the $20 TCT card, and local transport.
The Nightmare Experience: Navigating Avianca Airlines
When booking a flight from Quito (the capital of Ecuador) to the Galapagos, your primary choice is often Avianca. While they are a major carrier, my experience was far from smooth.
The Booking Nightmare
Booking tickets online proved to be a significant challenge. I tried to complete the purchase on their website 10 to 12 times without success. Eventually, I had to give up and find a physical Avianca office to buy the tickets in person. There is a possibility that their online forms are intentionally difficult to use so they can charge an extra $40 USD per person for in-person bookings, though that is just based on my personal experience.
The 48-Hour Check-In Rule
Avianca is very strict about their check-in window. They advise you to check in 48 hours in advance. I made the mistake of checking in closer to 24 or 36 hours before the flight. Because I missed that early window, the fee for checked bags doubled from $20 USD to $40 USD per bag. To keep your costs down, ensure you handle your check-in and bag payments the moment that 48-hour window opens.
Pre-Flight Steps at Quito International Airport
Departing from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) for the Galapagos requires a few extra steps that you won’t find on a normal domestic flight.
Arrive 3 Hours Early
Standard advice might say 2.5 hours, but I recommend arriving 3 hours early. The administrative requirements can take a surprising amount of time.
- Obtain the TCT Card: Before you even go to the airline check-in counter, you must get a Transit Control Card (TCT). You’ll need to show your passport, provide your accommodation details, and pay a $20 USD fee per person.
- Digital Declaration: While waiting for security, you’ll see posters with QR codes. You must scan these and fill out a digital declaration form. If this isn’t done by the time you reach the front of the line, you’ll be forced to step out and let others pass, which is a major inconvenience.
- Biosecurity Inspection: Your luggage will be inspected to ensure you aren’t carrying any organic materials that could threaten the islands’ ecosystem.
Arrival at Baltra and the Journey to Santa Cruz
Our flight path took us from Quito to Guayaquil, and then finally to Baltra Island. Once you land at the Seymour Galapagos Ecological Airport, you have officially arrived, but the journey to your hotel isn’t over yet.
The $200 Entrance Fee
Upon arrival at the airport, international tourists must pay a mandatory entrance fee. This fee is $200 USD per person and must be paid in cash. Make sure you have this ready before you leave the mainland.
Reaching Puerto Ayora
Baltra Island is essentially an airport island. To get to the main town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, you must follow this transit chain:
- Shuttle Bus: A bus takes you from the airport terminal to the ferry docks.
- Ferry: You’ll take a short ferry ride across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island.
- Taxi or Bus: From the ferry landing, it is a roughly 45-minute trip to Puerto Ayora. You can opt for a public bus or hire one of the white pickup truck taxis.
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