Falkland Islands
How to get to Falkland Islands: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN), about 51 km (32 mi) southwest of Stanley, the only international airport; the weekly LATAM flight from Punta Arenas and the UK airbridge from Brize Norton are the usual routes (check current service). There are no land crossings; sea arrival is by cruise or expedition ship (check). Book flights and lodges together first.Fly into Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN), about 32 mi (51 km) southwest of Stanley, the only international airport; the weekly LATAM flight from Punta Arenas and the UK airbridge from Brize Norton are the usual routes (check current service). There are no land crossings; sea arrival is by cruise or expedition ship (check). Book flights and lodges together first.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideFalkland Islands
Key facts
- Main airportcheck
- Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN), about 51 km southwest of Stanley; the only international airport (check)
- Usual routecheck
- LATAM flight from Punta Arenas, Chile; frequency and schedule change — confirm with the airline (check)
- UK airbridgecheck
- RAF Brize Norton via Ascension Island; limited civilian seats — confirm current service and booking (check)
- Land borderscheck
- None; the islands are reached by air or sea (check)
- Scheduled ferriescheck
- None known; cruise and expedition ships call seasonally (check)
- Arrival transfercheck
- Road transfer MPN to Stanley; time and cost vary — confirm with your lodge or operator (check)
- Best window
- November–February for wildlife; book flights and lodges together
Summary by route, month and cost
Two scheduled ways in are usually described: the LATAM flight from Punta Arenas and the UK airbridge. Cruise and expedition ships add a seasonal third option but rarely sell one-way passages. Schedules and fares change; confirm with the operator before booking. All figures below are unconfirmed (check).
| Route | Frequency | Flight time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Arenas (PUQ) – Mount Pleasant (MPN) | Check current schedule | Check | Check with the airline |
| UK airbridge: Brize Norton – Ascension – Mount Pleasant | Check current schedule | Check | Check with the operator |
| Cruise or expedition ship | Seasonal, Nov–Mar (check) | Varies | Usually sold as a package |
| MPN – Stanley road transfer | On flight days (check) | Check | Check with your lodge or operator |
Schedules, journey times and fares are not confirmed here; verify with the airline, operator or your lodge (check).
Step by step
Step 1: pick your route. Most travellers fly to Punta Arenas, Chile, then take the LATAM flight to Mount Pleasant; the alternative is the UK airbridge from RAF Brize Norton, which stops at Ascension Island and sells a limited number of civilian seats. Confirm both are operating on your dates before you build a trip around them (check).
Step 2: book early. Seats on both routes are limited and the November–February season fills months ahead. If you are heading to an outer island, book the domestic small-plane leg and the lodge at the same time as your international flight.
Step 3: plan the arrival. Mount Pleasant Airport is about 51 km southwest of Stanley. Road transfer is the usual way in; check whether your lodge or tour package includes it, and confirm the time and cost with them (check).
Step 4: sort paperwork. Entry rules depend on your passport and change from time to time; see the visa requirements page and confirm with the Falkland Islands Government before booking (check). Carry travel insurance that covers remote-island evacuation.
Step 5: connect onward. From Stanley, small aircraft reach Sea Lion, Saunders, Carcass, Pebble and other islands; seats are limited and weather-dependent, so build in a spare day before your international departure.
Notes
There are no land borders, so you cannot drive or take a bus in from anywhere (check). Cruise ships call at Stanley in the southern summer and some expedition ships reach the outer islands, but these are usually round-trip packages rather than a transport service; private yachts clear in at Stanley (check).
Weather delays are normal on the domestic flights and can affect the airbridge. Keep a buffer day at the end of the trip, and buy travel insurance that covers trip interruption and medical evacuation from remote areas.
The islands use the Falkland Islands pound at par with sterling, and GBP is accepted; check the money page for cards and cash. Mobile coverage is limited outside Stanley, so download offline maps and consider an eSIM before you fly.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Falkland Islands?
Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN), about 51 km southwest of Stanley, is the only international airport. It handles the LATAM flight from Punta Arenas and the UK airbridge; confirm current service with the airline or operator before booking (check).
How long is the flight to Falkland Islands from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
There are no direct flights from any of these countries. You first fly to Punta Arenas or the UK, then connect, so total travel time depends on your connections and stopovers. Check current schedules and routings before booking (check).
Can I enter Falkland Islands by land or sea?
There are no land borders, so arrival is by air or sea. Cruise and expedition ships call seasonally, usually as round-trip packages rather than one-way transport; private yachts clear in at Stanley. Confirm current options before you plan (check).
Do I need a visa to visit the Falkland Islands?
Rules vary by passport and some nationalities need a visa in advance. Check the visa requirements page and confirm with the Falkland Islands Government before booking (check).
How do I get from Mount Pleasant Airport to Stanley?
By road transfer, usually arranged with your lodge or tour operator. Confirm the time and cost with them when you book, and check whether it is included in your package (check).
When is the best time to book flights to the Falkland Islands?
Book as early as possible for November–February, the southern summer and peak wildlife season. Seats on both the LATAM flight and the airbridge are limited and sell out months ahead.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialFalkland Islands Government
- officialFalkland Islands Tourist Board
- officialLATAM Airlines
- secondaryWikivoyage – Falkland Islands