Overview
19th-century shipwrecks and an abundance of underwater wildlife are among the many attractions that await visitors to the Falkland Islands. While best known for the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina, the archipelago is also a fascinating and relaxing destination. Nature lovers will find five different species of penguins here, as well as whales and seabirds. The islands’ largest colony of penguins can be seen at Volunteer Point, and Sea Lion Island, as the name suggests, is teeming with sea lions. Most of the population lives in the capital city of Stanley, countless seabirds are always circling over the port. Battlefields like Goose Green and Pebble Island are here and there reminders of the military conflict and are now tourist attractions. See other countries in South America on businesscarriers.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
There are no direct flights to the Falkland Islands from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Lufthansa (LH) flies in cooperation with LATAM (JJ) from Frankfurt/M. via London and Sao Paulo to Mount Pleasant and offers feeder flights from Vienna and Zurich to Frankfurt/M. at. Austrian Airlines (OS), in cooperation with LATAM (JJ), connects Vienna with Mount Pleasant via Paris and Sao Paulo, and British Airways (BA) flies from Vienna via London and Sao Paulo. Swiss (LX) offers flight connections from Zurich via Sao Paulo to Mount Pleasant in cooperation with LATAM (JJ).
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Mount Pleasant: 20 hrs 35 mins; Vienna – Mount Pleasant: 23 hrs 35 mins; Zurich – Mount Pleasant: 21 hours 55 minutes (each with stopovers; flight times may vary depending on length of stay).
Departure fee
Approximately €30 (GBP 20) to be paid on departure; children under the age of 2 are excluded.
Arrival by train
There is no rail service in the Falkland Islands.
Arrival by ship
Many cruise ships from Europe, America and Australia call at the port of Stanley.
Cruise ships
P&O Cruises and Phoenix start their world cruises in European ports and also have the Falkland Islands in their program. Numerous shipping companies from the USA, South America and Australia also dock on the Falkland Islands.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
Small aircraft (max. 8 passengers) of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) fly to almost all towns and islands. The flight times depend on the booking capacity.
Traveling by car/bus
Accordingly, on the sparsely populated Falkland Islands there are only a few roads connecting the towns.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Condition of the roads
The streets in the capital are paved; all other island roads are mostly quite difficult to drive on and range from well-developed dirt roads to swampy muddy streams, which require four-wheel drive vehicles to drive on.
Car rental
Four-wheel drive vehicles can also be rented in the capital.
Taxi
Stanley has taxis available for travel around town and to the airport.
Bicycle
Bikes can be rented in Stanley.
Coach
Buses run within the capital, to the outskirts and to the airport.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Left-hand traffic. Speed limits: – urban: 40 km/h (25 mph); – extra-urban: 65 km/h (40 mph).
Documentation
The national driving license is sufficient; However, it is advisable to also carry the international driver’s license with you.
Traveling in the city
Stanley is a small town and can easily be explored on foot. However, taxis are also available.
Locally on the way by train
There is no rail service in the Falkland Islands.
Traveling by ship
A Workboat Services Ltd ferry operates several times a week between New Haven in East Falkland and Port Howard in the west. (Journey time: approx. 2 hours). Boats for day trips can be rented in Stanley and other towns.
