Traveling to the Galápagos Islands is not the same as taking a regular domestic flight in Ecuador.
Because the archipelago is a protected natural reserve, every visitor must go through several environmental, immigration, and security controls before entering the islands.
These procedures are designed to protect the fragile ecosystems that make the Galápagos one of the most unique places on Earth.
In this guide you will find everything you need to know before traveling, including required documents, airport procedures, fees, and what to expect upon arrival in the Galápagos Islands.
The only way to reach the Galápagos Islands is by plane from mainland Ecuador.
Flights depart daily from the two main cities:
Quito – Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
Guayaquil – José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)
Two airlines currently operate flights to the islands:
LATAM Airlines
Avianca
Most flights depart early in the morning from Quito and make a short operational stop in Guayaquil before continuing to the Galápagos.
Flights arrive at two main airports in the archipelago:
Baltra Airport (GPS) – located near Santa Cruz Island
San Cristóbal Airport (SCY) – located on San Cristóbal Island
The airport you fly into usually depends on your travel itinerary, cruise, or island where you plan to stay.
Quito to Galápagos: 3.5 to 4 hours total travel time
Guayaquil to Galápagos: about 2 hours
When planning a trip to the Galápagos Islands, there are several mandatory steps and fees that all travelers must complete before entering the islands.
The most important ones include:
The Galápagos Transit Control Card (TCT)
The Galápagos National Park Entrance Fee
The Galápagos Biosafety Sworn Declaration
Luggage inspection by the Galápagos Biosecurity Agency
These measures help protect the islands from invasive species and regulate visitor access.
The Galápagos Transit Control Card, commonly known as the TCT, is an immigration control document issued by the Ecuadorian government.
It functions as a personal travel permit that allows authorities to track who is entering the islands, how long they are staying, and when they leave.
You must keep this card safe during your entire trip because you will be asked to show it several times.
You will need to present your TCT:
when validating it at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil
upon arrival in the Galápagos
when leaving the islands
Without a valid TCT, you cannot board your flight to the Galápagos.
The card is administered by the Governing Council of the Galápagos Islands (CGREG).
The TCT costs $20 USD per traveler.
As of May 29, 2025, travelers must obtain the Transit Control Card online before traveling.
You can apply for it here:
https://siig-cgreg.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/tct/emission?lang=en
Visit the official website
Watch the introductory video
Accept the personal data use agreement
Enter your travel details including
full name
passport number
nationality
flight information
accommodation details
planned length of stay
Confirm your information and verify your email
Accept the liability declaration
Pay the $20 fee using a debit or credit card
Reload the page to access your digital TCT
Once the process is complete, you can download your digital card.
We recommend:
printing a copy
saving a copy on your smartphone
The card will include the number of days you declared for your visit.
Visitors are allowed to stay in the Galápagos up to 60 days.
If you initially planned a shorter stay but later decide to extend your trip while already in the islands, you do not need to modify your card, as long as your stay does not exceed the 60-day limit.
On the day of your flight to the Galápagos, you should arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure.
Even if you already obtained your TCT online, there are still several additional steps before you can check in for your flight.
Your first stop will be the CGREG counter, where you must present:
your passport
your Transit Control Card
The staff will validate your TCT before allowing you to proceed.
After validating your TCT, the next step is the biosecurity luggage inspection performed by SICGAL.
SICGAL is the government department responsible for preventing invasive species from entering the islands.
Your luggage will be inspected and scanned to ensure you are not carrying restricted items such as:
fresh fruit
vegetables
seeds
plants
soil
raw food products
These items are prohibited because they could introduce non-native species that threaten the delicate ecosystems of the Galápagos.
If your luggage passes inspection, it will receive an approval label that allows it to be checked in for your flight.
To avoid problems, it is best not to travel with any food other than small sealed snack items such as chocolate bars or packaged snacks.
Another important requirement is the Galápagos Biosafety Sworn Declaration.
This form helps authorities ensure that travelers are not unintentionally bringing biological items into the islands.
All travelers 18 years and older must complete this declaration online before traveling.
You can fill out the form up to 48 hours before your flight.
Official form:
https://declaracion.abgalapagos.gob.ec/
After submitting the form, you will receive a confirmation QR code in your email.
This QR code must be presented upon arrival at the airport in the Galápagos.
The declaration is available in both English and Spanish.
After landing at either Baltra Airport or San Cristóbal Airport, all passengers must go through the Galápagos migration and environmental control procedures.
Because the airports are relatively small, the process is simple and easy to follow.
Everyone from your flight will go through the same steps.
Before leaving the airport terminal, visitors must pay the Galápagos National Park entrance fee.
This fee supports the conservation of the islands and helps fund environmental protection programs, infrastructure, and public services.
International Tourists (Non-residents): USD $200
Ecuadorian Nationals: USD $30
Andean Community (CAN) and MERCOSUR Tourists: USD $100
Foreign Children (Under 12 years old): USD $100
Ecuadorian Children (Under 12 years old): USD $15
Foreign Students (enrolled in Ecuadorian institutions): USD $50
Senior Citizens (Ecuadorians/Residents over 65): USD $15
People with Disabilities (Ecuadorians/Residents): USD $15
This fee must be paid in cash, so it is important to bring enough money with you.
At this stage you will also be asked to show your Transit Control Card.
After paying the park entrance fee, you will proceed to the luggage collection area.
Your bags may pass through an additional environmental inspection scanner before you exit the airport.
Once completed, you are free to leave the airport and begin your Galápagos adventure.
Your next step depends on which island you arrive at.
The airport is located very close to town.
Taxi rides to hotels usually cost $2 to $5 and take only a few minutes.
Getting to Puerto Ayora involves three steps:
Airport shuttle bus to the Itabaca Channel – $5
Small ferry across the channel – $1
Bus or taxi to Puerto Ayora – $5 to $25
Total travel time is typically 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
Although credit cards are accepted in some places, cash is still the most common form of payment across the islands.
A useful tip is to bring different bill denominations.
Recommended:
$20 bills → supermarkets, taxis, small shops and daily purchases
$50 and $100 bills → tours, ferries, travel agencies and higher-end restaurants, which usually accept larger bills without issue.
ATMs exist on the islands but sometimes:
run out of cash
temporarily lose connection
do not accept foreign cards
Bringing cash from mainland Ecuador is often the easiest option.
Internet access has improved significantly in recent years.
Many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators now use Starlink satellite internet, which provides faster and more reliable connectivity than before.
However, you should still expect limited connectivity in:
remote beaches
hiking trails
national park areas
during boat tours
Disconnecting from technology is part of the unique experience of visiting the Galápagos.
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