Have put a deposit down for next year for a Galapagos trip, but now need airfare. Still still about 11 Months out. Internet fares show arount $950 with 2 stops. Is this a good fare/flight? Should I wait a while? Looking for what prices are being purchased at and how long the flights Should be/stops. Also, would Guayaquil be better/cheaper? Thanks bunches.
Flights to Ecuador
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Where are you flying from? Does the $950 fare take you to the islands themselves, or just to Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE)?
Almost all Galapagos flights start out at UIO and stop at GYE before continuing on to the islands. Coming back, it's the reverse: Galapagos to GYE then UIO. Either city as your international gateway works.
The islands have two airports: Baltra and San Cristobal. The flights from the mainland go to and from one or the other. Make sure you pick the right one that coincides with your trip.
Whoops. Sorry coming from the West Coast (Portland OR)of US going to either Quito or Guayaquil, as the tour company have the flights to the islands.
Okay, well, that's good. The flights to and from the islands are taken care of in the tour price.
I don't know that you need to book your international airfare 11 months out. I'd take some more time to keep looking.
The fares to UIO or GYE are almost always going to be the same, or pretty close, so I doubt you'll save anything by flying to Guayaquil over Quito. Quito gives you more choices for doing other things in Ecuador if you're interested. It's an old colonial city with a lot to see and do, not just in the city but in the surrounding region. Guayaquil is very modern and not as interesting.
But Quito is 9,800 feet above sea level. There's an altitude adjustment to contend with. Guayaquil is at sea level.
www.lan.com runs good specials out to Baltra from MIA $300
you are trying to book way too far out wait till fall
when sales prices drop usually best to book Tues PM sales
farecompare.com
Aerogal.com Tame.com.ec other options
So be patient and shop around.
Somtimes local agents like www.guanguiltagua.com
have gotten me best rates one time GYE to Baltra $79 RT
on a sale...best cheapest I have ever done from the mainland.
It is 500 miles off the coast so pretty far.
many scammers/expats artificially hike the prices up too...
So Caveat Emptor.
Insuremytrip.com always wise down there.
2 other cheap ways I have gotten to Quito
Santa Barbara Airlines MIA CCS UIO $150 each way
farecompare.com
Very cheapest
www.aires.aero FLL Cali bus down from $200 all in
but a long slog to Quito another 15 hours by bus
Not bad if u like adventure and break up
the journey had a tonne of fun last fall doing this.
Not for the faint of heart or unsavy traveler though.
Happy Hunting,
Just got back from a great trip to the Galapagos. I flew from the DC area and wound up paying $550 pp round trip to Quito. I suggest you keep an eye on kayak, expedia and whatever airline website that goes from Portland to Ecuador. After a couple months you'll get an idea of what is a good rate. That's what I did and it really made a difference. You've got lots of time, so don't worry.