Seymour Airport serves Baltra Island, the main access point to the Galápagos Islands, a UNESCO natural heritage site off continental Ecuador.
It is the classic departure point for reaching Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island, and cruises to observe the endemic fauna of the archipelago.
How to get to Seymour Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to GPS
Parking near Seymour Airport
In front of the terminal there is a parking area of reduced size.
Parking here generally costs little.
How to get to Baltra from GPS
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Seymour Airport
Car rental options are very limited given the archipelago's particular logistics, which require ferry crossings between islands.
License, passport, and credit card suffice for rental.
Hotels near Seymour Airport
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
About 1h30 from Baltra airport: 15 minutes by bus to the Itabaca Channel, a few minutes by ferry, then about an hour by bus across the Santa Cruz highlands into town.
Best for: Travelers visiting the central Galápagos: it's the only real tourist base in the area, a starting point for tours to nearby islands and to the Darwin Station.
- The only concentration of restaurants, tour agencies and shops in the central Galápagos
- Base for almost all day tours and for cruise embarkations
- The transfer from the airport always requires bus plus ferry plus bus, with no direct alternative
- No lodging, however close to the pier, is truly a few steps from the airport itself
Recommended hotels
- Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge 17 rooms on the Puerto Ayora waterfront, a short walk from the Darwin Station and the town center; reception open 24 hours and an airport shuttle (bus plus ferry) arranged by the property itself. View availability
- Casa del Lago Lodging House Apartments with their own kitchen and a terrace in the center of Puerto Ayora, useful for longer stays and for cooking between excursions. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, among the world's first certified as carbon-neutral, reflects the archipelago's protected natural-reserve status.
For flights, arrive with at least 2 to 2.5 hours advance notice; the Galápagos National Park entrance fee of 200 USD (100 USD for children under 12) plus the INGALA Transit Control Card at 20 USD (to be registered online before the domestic flight, no longer at the counter) are both required in cash; a biosecurity screening is also conducted.
Map of Seymour Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do you get to Puerto Ayora from Baltra airport?
Via a combined route: bus to the Itabaca Channel (5 USD), ferry across the channel (1-2 USD), then bus (5 USD) or shared taxi (25 USD for the whole vehicle) into town.
Q. Is there an entry fee for the Galápagos?
Yes, the Galápagos National Park fee is 200 USD for adults (100 USD for under-12s), payable in cash on arrival along with a biosecurity check; there's also the 20 USD INGALA Transit Control Card, now registrable online before the domestic flight.
Q. Is Baltra or San Cristóbal the better entry airport?
It depends on your itinerary: Baltra is closer to Santa Cruz and Puerto Ayora, the main tourist hub; San Cristóbal is convenient for those staying directly on that island or starting a cruise from there.
Q. Is a cruise better than staying on land?
Many visitors choose multi-day cruises that board near the airport, avoiding the transfer to Puerto Ayora and visiting several islands safely.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
