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Keep in mind that international flights don't land at the Galapagos Islands but rather at either Quito or Guayaquil international airports on mainland Ecuador. From there you will have to fly to the islands using domestic carriers and you can only choose between TAME and Aerogal airlines.
Sounds pretty straightforward doesn't it? Well, things can and do go wrong with surprising regularity so here are the top three mistakes people make with their Galapagos flights and how to avoid them...
Mistake # 1: Not Reconfirming Your Flight 24 Hours Before Departure
Purchasing a ticket from one of the domestic airlines doesn't automatically mean that you are booked and ready to go on a particular flight, even if that is the one that appears on your ticket.
That booking is only set in stone when you reconfirm your flight 24 hours before departure. If you don't reconfirm, then you will not be booked on that flight and your seat will be given to someone else. You will still be able to fly, but only at a later date and time so don't forget to reconfirm or you will be delayed.
If you have booked your cruise through a travel agent you won't need to worry about this because they or the cruise boat owner will do the booking and reconfirmation of your flight tickets for you so this only applies if you are visiting the Galapagos independently and haven't booked a cruise boat yet.
Mistake # 2: Checking In Less Than One Hour Before Departure
This one is pure common sense but you do need to realize that if you get to the airport late for whatever reason your seats will be given to whoever is on the waiting list if you haven't checked in by 30 minutes before departure.
You will be bumped to the next available flight which could well be the following day as there are only three flights to the islands daily so make sure that you check in at least an hour beforehand just to be on the safe side.
Mistake # 3: Booking Your Galapagos flights Departure Tickets on the Same Day as Your International Arrival
There are no connecting flights to the islands from the Ecuador mainland for international flights as most of the domestic flights leave in the morning and your international flight could arrive later. Make sure when you book your Galapagos flight tickets that it is for the day after your arrival in Ecuador.
It is possible to book and buy your tickets only after you have arrived in Quito or Guayaquil but if you are on a strict timeline that is very risky especially during high season because the cruise boat owners and travel agents have block bookings for their passengers so you may have to wait several days for a seat.
