Falkland Islands: Where are they, how to get to and around the archipelago
Essential tips to help you start planning your trip to the Falklands
The Falkland Islands offer unique natural beauty along with an extremely rich history. For those who wish to explore this destination, the first question that arises is: where exactly are the Falkland Islands and how to get there? Additionally, planning a trip to this remote archipelago might seem complex at first, so understanding the transportation options between and within the islands is essential to make the most of your visit. In this article, I will unravel all these mysteries and share exclusive tips based on my personal experience and research. Are you ready?!
P.s.: My trip was at the invitation of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB).
If you prefer, skip to the desired topic:
Where are the Falkland Islands located
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Falkland Islands are located in South America, approximately 480 km off the coast of Argentina. See where the Falkland Islands are on the map:
How to get to the Falkland Islands
There are only two ways to get to the Falkland Islands, by sea or air. Find out which one makes the most sense for you:
Source: swoop-antarctica.com
How to fly to the Falkland Islands
There are two ways to get to the Falklands by air:
Source: FITB
How to get to the Falkland Islands from the UK
Getting from the UK to the Falkland Islands is a journey that combines careful coordination and a bit of adventure. The most reliable way is to take the twice-weekly flights operated by the UK Ministry of Defence. These flights depart from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and include a refuelling stop on Ascension Island before continuing to the Falklands. Flights leave the UK on Sundays and Wednesdays, while the return trips from the Falklands are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays. The trip duration is about 18 hours in total, so you will be arriving in the final destination in the following day of the departure.
Civilian passengers can book a seat through the Falkland Islands Government Office in London. However, it’s important to keep your schedule flexible, as these flights are occasionally subject to last-minute changes.
Please find the relevant contacts below:
Phone number: +44 (0)207 222 2542
E-mail: [email protected]
Alternatively, you can fly via South America, as detailed in the next topic.
How to get to the Falkland Islands from the US and other countries
From the US or other destinations, you will need to take a flight to Santiago (Chile), and another one to Mount Pleasant Airport (IATA: MPN), in the Falklands. An important detail is that this last leg includes a stopover in Punta Arenas (also in Chile), where everyone disembarks from the plane, goes through an immigration process, and then returns to the same aircraft to continue the journey to the final destination.
LATAM Airlines is the only airline in South America operating in the Falklands, with flights only occurring on Saturdays. Previously, there was a direct LATAM flight from São Paulo (GRU) to Mount Pleasant, but this route was canceled during the pandemic and, unfortunately, has not resumed since.
Attention! Photography and videography are prohibited at Mount Pleasant Airport, and bringing snacks or food into the country is not allowed.
Fox Tip 🦊: To save money, try booking flights separately—from your city to Santiago (SCL), then from Santiago to Mount Pleasant (MPN).
The average flight duration from Santiago to the Falkland Islands, including the stopover in Punta Arenas, is 6 hours. I imagine that by adding it up to the flight duration from your home country to Santiago, you might feel a little overwhelmed. But before you get discouraged by the distance, I assure you with full conviction: IT’S TOTALLY WORTH IT! In another post, we’ll provide tips on things to do in the Falklands.
If you want to be less affected by the transit, consider staying extra days in Santiago or Punta Arenas.
Fox Alert 🦊: I’m here to help you plan this dream trip and to prepare for any possible setbacks. It’s important to know that flight delays are common in this region (between Punta Arenas and the Falkland Islands) due to poor weather conditions. So, be prepared both mentally and financially 😅.
How to get around the Falklands by cruiseship
Many visitors end up exploring the Falkland Islands by embarking on cruises departing from Ushuaia in Argentina. These cruises initially pass through the archipelago before continuing on to South Georgia and Antarctica.
You can find several cruise companies that include stops in the Falklands here.
Sustainable Tourism 🍃: Acknowledging that cruise tourism often has higher negative impacts on the environment and wildlife, I suggest avoiding it. However, if a cruise is essential for your experience, I recommend Intrepid Travel, a tour operator globally recognized for its commitment to responsible tourism.
Getting around the archipelago and in the islandsx
In Stanley, East Falklands
Mount Pleasant Airport is located on East Falkland, 60 km from the capital, Stanley. To avoid any issues, it’s ideal to have a driver waiting for you. Among the companies offering taxi services, tours, and car rentals are Letty Taxi, Stanley Cabs, and TravelFalklands. To make things easier for you, I’ve provided the direct contact information for these companies below:
Car rental is recommended only for traveling between the airport and the city center, as other areas may require a 4×4 vehicle and experience with rough terrains. Be sure to check the insurance details. Although car collisions are rare here, stones on the roads often hit the windshield, causing cracks. Also, be aware that they drive on the left side of the road!
In addition to the tips above, you can contact your accommodation and ask for more specific recommendations.
Sustainable Tourism 🍃: Rent a bicycle or walk around Stanley, which is a very flat and easy-to-navigate city. Not only will you get some exercise and enjoy the destination’s beauty, but you’ll also contribute to the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. To rent a bicycle in Stanley, contact Falklands Outdoors.
Domestic Flights
I highly recommend visiting other islands besides East Falkland, where the international airport and the capital Stanley are located. I had the opportunity to take domestic flights to explore Pebble Island, Hill Cove (in West Falklands), Bleaker Island, and Sea Lion Island.
FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Service) is the airline that operates domestic flights in the Falklands. Their flights are conducted on small planes that accommodate up to 8 passengers (or 9 when children are included) and offer a scenic flight experience.
Photo: Elaine Villatoro – @livemoretravelmore
Booking flights
To make a flight reservation, you need to send an email to [email protected] with the following information in:
- Full name including personal title (e.g., Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss, Master)
- Date of birth
- Contact information of your accommodation
- Flight itinerary detailing your travel plans
Unlike what we might be used to, the final confirmation of flights and check-in times are published the day before on the company’s Facebook page. This is because flights are scheduled based on the demand for each destination and the landing strips have weight restrictions. Additionally, weather variations can affect schedules. FIGAS does not take responsibility for any additional costs incurred by passengers in the event of delays or cancellations.
For any questions or further information, you can contact FIGAS at (+500) 27219.
Once again, I emphasize that this is a journey where expectations need to be managed. Your itinerary may change at the last minute, and the best approach is to embrace it all as part of the adventure and smile at whatever life offers you.
Fox Tip 🦊: When making your reservation or during check-in, ask if it’s possible to be seated next to the pilot, in the place where the co-pilot usually sits. I was lucky enough to get this seat on two flights and it was thrilling! 🤩 It’s not guaranteed, but you never know, it might work out!
Fares
Fares vary based on the distance between the origin and destination, but be prepared to spend between £71* and £237* per leg. Payment can be made in British pounds or by credit card (AMEX and Diners Club are not accepted) directly at Stanley Airport. Note that this is a small airport located in the capital, which means it is not the same airport where you will land from your international flight.
Photo: Elaine Villatoro – @livemoretravelmore
Excess bagagge
Due to the small size of the planes, luggage restrictions are stricter. Each passenger can carry a maximum of 20 kg, combining both checked baggage and carry-on. Generally, the only items you are allowed to take during the flight are a water bottle (preferably reusable 🍃) and your camera, but this is subject to the pilot’s discretion. If you exceed the weight limit, you must inform FIGAS 24 hours before departure and pay a fee of £2* for each additional kilogram. Even then, there is a risk that you might not be able to bring everything due to the aircraft’s weight limitations.
There is no place to store your belongings at Stanley Airport. Therefore, I suggest bringing a luggage scale with you so that you can plan what to pack in advance.
Photo: Elaine Villatoro – @livemoretravelmore
Fox Tip 🦊: When planning your travel itinerary to the Falkland Islands, schedule your domestic return flight to Stanley at least two days before your international flight back home or to Punta Arenas. This way, even if your internal flight gets canceled, you will have a buffer of days to return to Stanley and avoid missing your international flight.
Ferry from East Falklands to West Falklands
In addition to domestic flights, transportation between East Falklands and West Falklands can be done via ferry. This service is operated by Workboat Services Ltd, connecting the ports of New Haven and Howard. You can check the updated schedules and prices here.
Custom travel itinerary
Although our articles about the Falkland Islands aim to provide the minimum necessary tools for you to plan your trip independently, I have noticed that the logistical complexities and limited online information make us feel more at ease when someone takes care of everything for us. Therefore, this is one of the few destinations where I, Elaine, am willing to offer a personalized itinerary service for readers and followers of Live More, Travel More. If you are interested, please send an email to [email protected] requesting a quote and providing your name, WhatsApp contact number, expected travel date, number of travelers, and a brief summary of what you hope to experience at the destination.
Travel insurance
It is mandatory to present a travel insurance policy that includes medical evacuation by air to enter the Falkland Islands. For this destination, I recommend an insurance that also covers trip delays such as the ones offered by World Nomads.
Well, now that you know where the Falkland Islands are, how to get there, and how to get around the archipelago, it’s time to pack your bags!
🦊 Honest Fox Informs:
* All the costs mentioned in this article were collected in January 2025, may not include taxes, and may change at any time.
** This post contains affiliate links, which means that by purchasing a product/service after clicking on our links, LMTM earns a small commission that helps us maintain free content for all the traveling foxes around the world ✌🏽🦊.
*** Our trip was conducted at the invitation of the FITB – Falkland Islands Tourism Board.
**** All published opinions are honest and based on my personal experience.
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