How much does a
Galapagos trip cost?
The cruise fare is the big number — but it's not the only one. Park fees, flights, tips, and transit cards add up. Here's an honest breakdown, built from our live price data and the actual fees.
The costs every traveller pays
Every cruise passenger pays these on top of the cabin fare. The park entrance fee jumped to $200 in August 2024 — the first increase since 1998 — so older estimates floating around are understated. Below are the current figures; confirm them at booking since regulations do change.
| Cost item | Per person (USD) |
|---|---|
| Galápagos National Park entrance verify at booking | $200 |
| INGALA transit control card (TCT) verify at booking | $20 |
| Flights: mainland Ecuador ⇄ Galápagos | $400–$650 |
| Crew & guide gratuities | $150–$350 |
| Pre/post hotel nights (mainland) | $80–$250 |
Galápagos National Park entrance: International adult rate, set in August 2024 (the first increase since 1998). Lower rates apply to children, nationals and some nationalities.
INGALA transit control card (TCT): Required tourist transit card, purchased before flying to the islands. Indicative — confirm the current fee at booking.
Flights: mainland Ecuador ⇄ Galápagos: Round-trip from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra/San Cristóbal. Varies by season and how far ahead you book; not usually included in the cruise fare.
Crew & guide gratuities: Customary tips for the crew and naturalist guide, per person for a typical week. Discretionary.
Pre/post hotel nights (mainland): Most itineraries need at least one night in Quito or Guayaquil on each side. Per person per night, twin-share; wide range by standard.
Not included above: international flights to mainland Ecuador, travel insurance, drinks on board (most yachts charge separately), personal shopping, and any pre/post extensions. The estimator below lets you fold in hotels and other items as you choose.
What the cruise itself costs
Cruise fares vary by class, duration, and time of year. These are median figures from our live availability data — 487 priced departures across 14 yachts — not a survey or a guess.
Tourist
$649/day
range $425–$736 · n=9
Tourist Superior
$931/day
range $585–$1,181 · n=15
First Class
$849/day
range $356–$1,395 · n=355
Luxury
$1,038/day
range $504–$1,343 · n=108
Per person, double-cabin occupancy. Median $/day = published fare ÷ itinerary days. See the full price index →
Estimate your total trip cost
Pick your cruise class, trip length, and how many people are travelling. Check or uncheck the cost items to match your itinerary. The calculator gives you a realistic range — we've deliberately avoided collapsing it to a single number, because you shouldn't plan a Galapagos trip on a number we just made up.
Build your budget
Adjust the options below. The cruise fare comes from our live price data; the rest are indicative ranges. You get a spread, not a single number — because real trips don't land on one figure.
| Item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| First Class cruise · 8 days · 2 people(from live prices) | $5,696–$22,320 central $13,584 |
| Galápagos National Park entranceverify rate | $400 |
| INGALA transit control card (TCT)verify rate | $40 |
| Flights: mainland Ecuador ⇄ Galápagos | $800–$1,300 |
| Crew & guide gratuities | $300–$700 |
| Estimated total | $7,236–$24,760 |
Bear in mind: These are indicative estimates to help you budget — not a quote. International flights to Ecuador, travel insurance, drinks and personal extras are not included, and fees can change. Message us for an exact, current quote.
Opens WhatsApp with your selections pre-filled — we reply fast.
What this calculator cannot tell you
Cabin availability
The fare you'll pay depends on which cabins are still open on your dates. A yacht with a few berths left sometimes holds price; sometimes drops. The calculator shows the published range — your actual quote may sit anywhere within it.
Solo traveller surcharges
Most Galapagos yachts price cabins for double occupancy. Solo travellers typically pay a single-supplement — often 50–70% on top of the per-person fare. Ask us before assuming the calculator's per-person figure applies.
Group discounts
Charter parties (taking most or all of a yacht) often negotiate below the per-cabin rack rate. If you have 8 or more travellers, message us — the math changes in your favour.
Last-minute deals
Yachts with unsold cabins inside 90 days sometimes offer deep cuts — we've seen 20–30% off the published fare. The estimator uses current published prices, not speculative future discounts.
Find the right cruise for your budget
The estimator gives you a range. Our search shows you the actual available cabins and what they cost right now — sorted by your dates, class, and budget.