Patagonia, a vast and stunning region spanning across Chile and Argentina, is a dream destination for adventurers and nature lovers. Knowing Where To Fly Into Patagonia is crucial for planning your trip and accessing the specific areas you wish to explore. This guide will help you navigate the airports of Chilean Patagonia, ensuring you arrive at the heart of your Patagonian adventure with ease.
Chile serves as a primary gateway to Patagonia, and Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago is the main international and domestic hub. From Santiago, a network of domestic flights connects you to various Patagonian destinations.
For domestic travel within Chile, LATAM is the national airline with an extensive network. SKY and JetSmart also offer domestic flights, providing more budget-friendly options, though it’s advisable to check the reliability, particularly for JetSmart. Smaller airlines like Aerocord and Aerovías DAP operate smaller aircraft, vital for reaching remote areas like Aysen and Tierra del Fuego.
When planning your trip to specific regions within Patagonia, understanding the best airport to fly into can save you significant travel time.
Airports for Southern Patagonia and Torres del Paine
If your destination is the iconic Torres del Paine National Park, the closest airport is Puerto Natales (PNT). A flight to Puerto Natales is approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes from Santiago, followed by a scenic two-hour drive to the park entrance.
Alt text: Aerial view of snow-capped mountains and glaciers in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile, showcasing the stunning landscape accessible by flights.
However, flights to Puerto Natales are limited, and high demand often leads to expensive fares and low availability. Therefore, most travelers opt to fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ). While the flight time is almost identical to Puerto Natales, the subsequent journey involves a three-hour bus ride to Puerto Natales and then onward to Torres del Paine. Despite the longer overall transit, Punta Arenas offers more flight options and often better prices, making it a more practical choice for many. Punta Arenas (PUQ) serves as the airport for both Chilean Fjords cruises and Tierra del Fuego explorations as well, with a flight time of around 3 hours and 30 minutes from Santiago.
Airports for the Chilean Lake District
For exploring the picturesque Chilean Lake District, Puerto Montt (PMC) airport is your primary gateway, with a flight duration of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from Santiago. Puerto Montt is conveniently located near Puerto Varas, a popular base for exploring the region.
Alt text: Charming lakeside town of Puerto Varas, nestled on the shores of Llanquihue Lake in the Chilean Lake District, a popular destination accessible via Puerto Montt airport.
If your itinerary focuses on Pucón, consider flying into Temuco (ZCO) airport, which is about a 1 hour and 25-minute flight from Santiago and closer to Pucón.
For those venturing to Chiloé Island, flights are available from Santiago directly to Castro (MHC) airport, with a flight time of approximately two hours.
Airports for the Aysen Region
To discover the remote beauty of the Aysen region, fly into Coyhaique (Balmaceda Airport, BBA). The flight from Santiago to Coyhaique takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes. Coyhaique also has air connections to Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas via DAP Airlines, facilitating travel within Patagonia. For the adventurous heading to Chaitén, Chaitén Airport (WCH) is connected to Puerto Montt by a short 15-minute flight with Aerocord.
Beyond Patagonia: Other Chilean Destinations
While focusing on Patagonia, it’s worth noting other domestic connections from Santiago. For exploring the Atacama Desert, fly to Calama (CJC) airport, a two-hour flight from Santiago. And for the enigmatic Easter Island, Easter Island Airport (IPC) is a direct four-hour and 25-minute flight from Santiago.
International Connections
For travelers crossing borders, direct flights are available from Santiago to Buenos Aires in Argentina and Bariloche, a gateway to the Argentinian Lake District.
Choosing the right airport is the first step in your Patagonian adventure. By understanding your destination within Patagonia and the corresponding airports, you can optimize your travel time and begin exploring this breathtaking region sooner.
