The Galápagos Islands: Costs Explained
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This guide offers a breakdown of exactly how much it costs to visit the Galápagos Islands. Whether you prefer luxury cruises or overland expeditions, we’ve got you covered.
How much does it cost to get there?
Flights
Due to its remote location, the only way to get to the Galápagos Islands is by flying. Flights go from Quito and Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador multiple times a day and can cost anywhere from 100 USD to 300 USD per person.
Getting to mainland Ecuador can vary in price, depending on your starting location. There are direct flights from North America and Europe and can cost anywhere from 200 USD to 500 USD.
Documents
You will need to factor in two fees that are mandatory to visit The Galápagos Islands: the Galápagos National Park entrance fee which costs 200 USD for adults (100 USD for children) and the IGALA Transit Control Card which costs 20 USD per person.
Pre & Post Accommodations
As you need to travel through mainland Ecuador to get to the Galápagos Islands, you will likely need to book accommodation between flights in and out of the country which could either be in Quito or Guayaquil. We encourage travelers to arrive in Ecuador two days before flying to the Galapagos in case international flights are delayed and to experience all that the country has to offer. Accommodation is very affordable starting from 15 USD per night.
How much do cruises cost?
How much are land-based experiences?
If you choose to stay on land, you will choose one or more of the Islands like Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. This can be most cost effective, especially for groups and families as you can choose exactly what activities to do and have flexibility between different accommodation types.
We have access to the widest range of accommodation types, Luxury, Comfort and Essential so you can decide based on your budget.
What factors affect travel costs?
Type of trip
If you decide to book a cruise around the Galápagos Islands, this will cost more money than staying on land. This is because food, board and activities are often included in the booking price, taking away the stress of having to organize everything yourself.
Similarly, if you choose luxury over budget you can expect to see a big jump in prices. Hotels can cost anywhere between 30 USD and 500 USD per night.
Activities
If you choose to book activities yourself, you will pay separately for each day excursion. Depending on the activity you want to do, the cost can vary.
Time of year
Peak season in the Galápagos Islands runs from June to September and December through to January. There is a particular increase in prices during school holidays in August and December as more travelers come to the islands.
Travelling solo or with your family
Travelling solo you may need to pay a little extra so that you can have a private room or cabin.
Families generally find land-based trips most comfortable as there is a slightly slower pace and more privacy and freedom than when travelling via cruise. We have hand-picked the best trips for both cruises and land-based experiences