Getting There & Away

Chile is linked by air to North America, Europe and Australasia, and most international flights arrive in Santiago. The national carrier is LAN-Chile. There is an international departure tax of US$12.50.

Chile's border-crossing points with Peru and Bolivia are few and far between. The crossing between Arica in Chile and Tacna in Peru provides the only land access to Peru; road and rail connections link Chile with Bolivia, passing through Arica, Visviri, Tambo Quemado or Calama. Except in Patagonia, every crossing into Argentina involves crossing the Andes. Routes include Calama-Salta, Copiapó-Tucumán via Catamarca; La Serena-San Juan; and Santiago-Mendoza. More interesting are the many Lake District and southern Patagonian routes, with buses and ferries servicing the crossing points between Chile and Argentina.

Getting Around

Travel within Chile is easy. Fast, punctual and comfortable buses travel the main highways, and flights are reasonably priced; the railways, however, have been neglected since the 1970s. Competition has lowered domestic air fares, and regional airlines and air taxis traverse the country's long extent. Air passes are particularly attractive. There is a tax of US$5 payable on domestic flights.

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