Chile flights and travel guide

Stretching down the west-hand side at the base of South America, Chile is an extremely long, narrow landmass, often called “the thin country”. It lies between the Andean highlands and the Pacific Ocean, and has a topography that includes deserts, rainforests, mountains and glaciers. Because of its length – a phenomenal 4,000 kilometres – it is important to decide what you want to see when booking flights to Chile.

The capital of the country is Santiago, a good base from which to explore, and the arrival point for most international flights to Chile.  From here, wine lovers can visit the colonial towns of the Central Valley and tour the lush vineyards surrounding them. In the north of the country lie the spectacular Andes and most travellers seeking adventure head up this way. Avid skiers can get their adrenaline going on the slopes of Farellones, La Parva, and Valle Nevado.

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Chile climate

Much of Chile is covered with mountains and snow. The deserts in the north are warm in the day and cool in the night. The centre of the country has a more Mediterranean climate, with rains from May to August. The south is very cold, especially in the winter, and rainy.

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When to fly to Chile

Peak season:

The large cities are popular destination year-round, with plenty to see and do irrespective of weather. The peak season for activity holidays is November to April, when the rainfall is least. June to October is the season for skiing.

Off season:

June to October is when there is the largest rainfall across the country and the coldest temperatures.

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Getting around Chile

Because the country is so large, in length if not width, flying is the easiest way to get around for travellers wanting to explore many destinations. Domestic Chile flights are available with airline LAN. If you’re planning on making lots of flights, get the LAN Visit South America Air Pass which will give discounted tickets within Chile and also to Peru and Ecuador. There are other regional airlines flying to different destinations.

The bus system in Chile is very good. The network covers much of the country and service is cheap and efficient. In comparison, trains are poor; many lines are used only for freight.

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Chile insider information

• Santiago, the country’s capital, is a bustling metropolis. Start a tour of the city from its central square, Plaza de Armas. The square is surrounded by popular tourist destinations such as the National Museum and the 18th-century cathedral, and its centre is a popular browsing area, full of stalls and artists painting.
• Though Santiago is the capital, Valparaiso has been named the country’s “cultural capital”. One of the most popular buildings is the house and gardens of poet Pablo Neruda, open Tuesday to Sunday. Now a museum, the house has been restored to its condition when Neruda lived and worked in it and displays artefacts from his life.
• The huge stone heads on Easter Island are called moai. There are lots of different spots to see the moai. For the classic image of 15 lined up together, with a backdrop of the sea, head to Ahu Tongariki.
• The lake and volcano at Pucon make it a popular tourist destination, especially with sports-lovers. There are numerous activities to do round here, both on the lake and around. Waterskiing, horse-riding, biking and trekking are just a taster. If you’re worn out afterwards, relax on one of the beaches around Lake Villarrica. The beaches are well-developed, with bars, restaurants and places to change.

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Chile airports

There is one main airport for flights to Chile:

Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) is eleven miles northwest of Santiago (journey time – 30 minutes).

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Passport/Visa

Travellers need valid passport to enter Chile. If you’re travelling for recreation, tourism, business or academic conferences, you do not need a visa.

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