www.ecuadors.org

[Lacey]

We are staying in Salinas, would like to drive in to Guayaquil and then take a flight to the islands for day. Is it possible to fly in and out in one day or must you stay overnight? Costs for such transportation? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Darsey]

Though I've been granted the status of "expert", I've not been to Galapagos during my 5 extensive trips to the country. The Ecuadorian airlines are the only ones that fly to the islands. Tame, Icaro, and Aerogal are the names of some (check'em out on the internet to see their flights times, etc.) You might be able to do a day trip to the island(s) though I don't know if you'd want to spend the money on that for such a short time. Remember, it'll take almost 3 hours to fly each way.

Salinas is about 2 hours from Guayaquil.

The outrageous prices (flying, entrance fee of $100, etc.) are what have kept me from visiting the islands.

[Xan]

I agree with FunnyChap24, not a realistic venture. I'm not even sure if the airport on Baltra has reopened yet, is had been undergoing construction, but to get to the main town of Santa Cruz, called Puerto Ayora, you take a bus to the edge of Baltra, a ferry across to Baltra, a bus to the terminal outside of town and a taxi into town of to the Darwin Research Station. You would defintiely have to spend a night and even then you would have very little time to see anything as you'd have to reverse the trip to return.
If Baltra has not reopened it gets even more involved as the plane would land on San Cristobal which is several hours by boat from Santa Cruz. Remember, you can't just pick an island and wander around, they are afforded protective status as a national park.