By Plane
Chile is at the other end of the world — the journey is long, but every kilometer is worth it:
Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) — Santiago
Chile's only major international airport, 17 km northwest of downtown. No direct flights from Germany — connecting flights via Madrid (Iberia/LATAM, approx. 16h), Paris (Air France/LATAM, approx. 16h), São Paulo (LATAM, approx. 17h) or Amsterdam (KLM, approx. 17h). Total travel time from Frankfurt: 15–20 hours depending on layover time.
Transfer to Santiago: Centropuerto/Turbus Airport Bus (1,900 CLP, 30–45 min to the center), Taxi (fixed price 20,000–25,000 CLP / €20–25), Uber (12,000–18,000 CLP). Metro not directly at the airport.
Domestic Flights
Given the vast distances, domestic flights are often the smartest choice:
| Route | Duration | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago → Calama (Atacama) | 2h | €40–80 |
| Santiago → Punta Arenas (Patagonia) | 3.5h | €50–120 |
| Santiago → Temuco (Lake District) | 1.5h | €30–60 |
| Santiago → Puerto Montt | 2h | €35–70 |
| Santiago → Easter Island | 5.5h | €200–400 |
Airlines: LATAM (largest airline, most extensive network), Sky Airline (low-cost carrier, often cheaper, very good) and JetSMART (ultra-low-cost, hand luggage only included).
💡 Tipp
LATAM and Sky Airline regularly offer flash sales for domestic flights — sometimes starting at 15,000 CLP (€15) per route! Follow them on social media or check the websites regularly. Flying from Santiago to Calama (2h) instead of taking the bus (24h!) is almost always the better choice.