Falkland Islands Travel Guide - Getting Around

Most of the settlements and offshore islands in the Falklands can be reached by light aircraft. This service is run by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) (tel: 27219). There are no fixed schedules but daily flights operate to all parts of the islands, subject to demand. Capacity for flights is eight passengers.

Boats may be chartered for day trips from Stanley and elsewhere in the islands. Some settlements may be able to offer the use of landing vessels or other craft to reach the outlying islands. There are plenty of tour operators and guides to choose from in Stanley. Contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board for further information (see Contact Addresses).

Outside the capital, overland travel is difficult and vehicles can frequently get bogged down. However, there is one asphalt road linking Stanley, the Mount Pleasant airport complex and Goose Green, and an all-weather graded track linking Mount Pleasant with Goose Green and Stanley with Port Louis, Estancia, Salvador and various settlements in the north of East Falkland as far as Port San Carlos. A similar track on West Falkland links Port Howard, Chartres, Fox Bay, Hill Cove and Roy Cove. The best form of transport in this terrain is a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Road networks are continually improving however. Falkland Island Tours and Travel Service offer a service from Mount Pleasant to the airport (website: www.falklandislandtravel.com).

Coach: There are routes to and from the airport and trips can be organised to particular destinations.

Taxi: Taxi services are available in Stanley and the airport.

Car hire: 4-wheel-drive and other vehicles can be hired.

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Stanley to other islands in the surrounding area.

	Air	Road
Mount Pleasant	0.15	0.50
Pebble Island	0.40	-
Port Howard	0.40	-
Sea Lion Island	0.30	-