Travel to Chile
Flying to Chile
Most international visitors arrive via Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, the country's main gateway. Located about 15km northwest of the capital, the airport handles the vast majority of long-haul and regional flights and offers onward connections throughout Chile.
Chile's national carrier, LATAM Airlines, operates extensive international routes linking Santiago with North America, Europe, Oceania and major cities across South America. Other international airlines serving Chile include American Airlines, Iberia, Air France, British Airways and Qantas, as well as several regional carriers from neighbouring countries.
Long-haul flights from Europe typically take around 14–15 hours, usually departing from Madrid, Paris or London. From North America, direct services operate from cities such as Miami, New York and Los Angeles. Travellers from Australia and New Zealand can reach Santiago via trans-Pacific services, often with connections.
While Santiago is the primary entry point, other airports such as Carriel Sur International Airport (CCP) in Concepción and Andrés Sabella Gálvez International Airport (ANF) in Antofagasta handle some regional international traffic, mainly from neighbouring countries.
For most visitors, flying into Santiago remains the most convenient and efficient way to reach Chile before continuing onwards to the desert north, the wine valleys of central Chile or the wild expanses of Patagonia.
Flight times:
From London to Santiago: 14h 35m (direct).
Airport guides
Airport Code: SCL. Location: Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is located 15km (9.5 miles) northwest... Money: Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport has banks, ATM machines and bureaux de... Read more
Travel by rail
There are currently no regular international passenger rail services connecting Chile with its neighbouring countries. Although rail links once operated across the Andes to Argentina and northwards towards Bolivia, these historic cross-border lines are no longer in operation for passenger travel.
Driving to Chile
Chile shares borders with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast and Argentina along its entire eastern frontier.
One of the most commonly used crossings is between Mendoza in Argentina and Santiago via the Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores) pass, a spectacular high-altitude route through the Andes. The journey is scenic but can be affected by winter snowfall, when the pass may close temporarily. In the north, travellers frequently cross between Arica (Chile) and Tacna (Peru), while crossings between Bolivia and northern Chile provide access to the Atacama Desert.
Long-distance international buses connect Santiago and other major Chilean cities with destinations in Argentina, Peru and Bolivia. Services are generally comfortable and reliable, though border procedures can be time-consuming.
Travellers driving their own vehicle should ensure they have the correct documentation, including proof of ownership, insurance valid in Chile and any required temporary import permits. Road conditions on major routes are generally good, but mountain passes and remote desert areas require careful planning.
Getting to Chile by boat
Chile's extensive Pacific coastline and intricate southern fjords make sea travel a distinctive way to reach the country, though it remains less common than air travel. International cruise ships regularly call at Chilean ports, particularly in Valparaíso, San Antonio and Punta Arenas, as part of South American or Antarctic itineraries.
Some expedition cruises operate between southern Chile and Argentina through the fjords of Patagonia, offering dramatic maritime routes between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. These voyages are typically scenic expeditions rather than conventional transport services.
There are no regular international passenger ferry services linking Chile with neighbouring countries. Travellers arriving by sea usually do so as part of organised cruises or private vessels.
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