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Flight timing to Quito before cruise

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Jen M
15 posts
Flight timing to Quito before cruise
27 Aug 2024, 6:22 am

We have put down a deposit on a May 2025 cruise, with the flight from Quito to Galapagos leaving at 7AM Friday May 17th. I'm starting to think about flights from the Philadelphia area to Quito. Is leaving on Wednesday enough buffer; arriving Wednesday night, having Thursday in Quito, then waking very early to the airport for the flight to Galapagos? My son graduates from college the prior weekend, so we'll be on a tight schedule. Someone posted on the I love Galapagos Facebook page that their flight was delayed 2 days (!) which significantly raised my anxiety. I'd appreciate any thoughts/experiences for getting to Ecuador. Thank you!

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4 replies to this topic
Luisa F
Orlando, Florida
40 posts
28 helpful votes
1. Re: Flight timing to Quito before cruise
27 Aug 2024, 11:44 am

I think arriving to Ecuador two days prior to your Galapagos cruise will give enough time in order to get through any contingency, you will be allright.

Quito is quite a fantastic colonial Spanish architecture reliquary I recommend you allow a full day to explore this unique city.

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Heather Blenkiron
Ottawa, Canada
Destination Expert
for Galapagos Islands
5,168 posts
23 helpful votes
2. Re: Flight timing to Quito before cruise
27 Aug 2024, 4:11 pm

Dear Jen -

unless something completely out of left field happens, you will be fine. We send about 500 people on a Galapagos cruise every year, and recommend that they arrive in Quito 2 days prior to the cruise embarkation date and have never (fingers crossed) had a problem. But that extra buffer day has come in handy on a number of occasions!

Enjoy your trip.

Warmest regards,

Heather Blenkion

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Jen M
15 posts
3. Re: Flight timing to Quito before cruise
27 Aug 2024, 5:15 pm

Thank you both so much. Now I feel more confident to book flights (and hotels!).

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r c
Portland, Oregon
27,995 posts
3 helpful votes
4. Re: Flight timing to Quito before cruise
28 Aug 2024, 11:40 pm

welcome

If you are meeting your cruise in Baltra/Puerto Ayora, you can always go there too. Its not like there isnt anything to do, stay or eat.

good luck

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