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info@bluegreenadventures.com | Puerto Natales, Chile +56 (61) 410 009
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Arriving into Santiago
de Chile
Santiago de Chile
Chile's international airport is in the capital, Santiago de Chile. Flight times are about 13 hours from Europe and 11 hours from the United States.
Most international flights arrive into Santiago in the morning and with the domestic and international airports located next door to each other it makes for an easy connection to a domestic flight. However, a stay in this remarkable city is definitely worthwhile. It has beautiful parks, historic buildings and museums, great shopping, colourful markets and world class hotels and restaurants.
If you would like advice on what to do or where to stay in Santiago please email us. We can book city tours, beach breaks, wine or cycling tours, reserve hotels and even design a fully inclusive two or three night stay with all the arrangements made for you in advance.
After your stay or connection in Santiago you can continue on with a domestic flight to Punta Arenas (for Patagonia), Puerto Montt or Temuco (for the Lake District), San Pedro (for the Atacama) or wherever you intend to spend your holiday. As a guide, flight times to Punta Arenas are 3-4 hours depending on stops with flight times to Puerto Montt or Atacama under 2 hours.
Clients Arriving in Patagonia
All of our longer Patagonia tours start and finish in Punta Arenas. Some of these include the arrival night in a hotel in Punta Arenas. Please refer to the detailed itinerary notes for more information. Our shorter 4-day Patagonia trips tend to start and finish in Puerto Natales (a 3 hour bus ride from Punta Arenas). We recommend that clients travelling on to Torres del Paine arrive in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales the day prior to the trip start day. This provides some relaxation time after the flights in addition to giving an element of insurance against cancelled or delayed flights and tight connections.
On most of our trips, it is possible to fly out of Punta Arenas on the final day of the trip itinerary (please check times with us first). Some clients prefer to extend their stay with a final hotel night and meal out in Punta Arenas. For trips that do not include airport collection (check your particular itinerary for details) clients should take a taxi from the airport to their hotel. The journey takes around 15 minutes and should cost no more than $20. Most taxi drivers will accept US dollars. Alternatively, BlueGreen can arrange an airport transfer at $35 per person. This should be prebooked. We can recommend hotels in Punta Arenas and are happy to make reservations on a client's behalf (in some cases we will require a credit card number as security). Hotels vary to suit every budget from the comfortable and centrally located Hostal Calafate priced at around US$30 for a private room to the sumptuous and elegant Jose Nogeuira at over US$200 a night. Check our comprehensive Punta Arenas City Guide for more information.
Please also refer to the short trips section of this website or contact us for frank and reliable advice and suggestions on travel to other parts of Chile. Lost luggage
Despite what you might be told on check-in at your departure airport, it is better to check your own luggage off the international flight and onto your domestic flight. This will take a few extra minutes during transit but it will minimize the risk of luggage going astray. Missed connections
Please ensure you have a minimum of two to two and a half hours in Santiago to transfer to your domestic flight. Although the international and domestic terminals are next to each other there may be immigration queues and check-in delays, which can cause a missed connection. It seems that with some e-tickets, airlines are allowing bookings with connecting times of much less than this, which has resulted in clients' delays. Please note that BlueGreen cannot be held responsible for clients who do not arrive at the meeting point in time to start their trip. If we have to arrange expensive emergency transfers and extra accommodation, you will need to pay for these and then make a claim on your travel insurance. While we will of course do our best to ensure anyone arriving late is able to continue with their itinerary with minimal disruption and delay we regret that we cannot give refunds for missed hotel nights or activities. Flights with LanChile
Schedules and online bookings are available at www.lan.com.
Should I fly into Chile or Argentina?
With open jaw flights readily available, it is very possible to fly into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires or vice versa. Depending on the best availability of flights from your home country, you can choose which option suits you best. Many travellers visiting Chile will tag on some time in Argentina and vice versa. Both countries require an investment of time and money so why go all that way and not see them both?
There are many ways to connect the two countries depending on your travel priorities and requirements. Here are some ideas based on our knowledge and experience:
1. Fly into Santiago. Spend a couple of nights in the City before flying down to Punta Arenas for a trip in Torres del Paine. At the end of the trip, take the public bus to el Calafate in southern Argentina and visit the Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares NP. Fly up to Bariloche and take the boat/bus combo across to Puerto Montt in Chile. Spend some time in Puerto Montt and fly back to Santiago and home.
2. Fly into Buenos Aires. Spend a couple of nights in the City before flying to el Calafate in the south. Visit the Moreno Glacier and then take the bus to Puerto Natales in Chile. Spend a week in Torres del Paine and then take the Navimag boat north to Puerto Montt. Fly north to Santiago and spend 3 days exploring the vineyards and beach areas close to the City. Fly out of Santiago.
3. Fly into Santiago. Fly up to San Pedro de Atacama for a 3 day stay in a beautiful desert lodge with pool, spa treatments and activities. Fly back to Santiago and on to Punta Arenas. Join a hiking trip in Torres del Paine. Return to Punta Arenas and then join an exciting Antartic air/boat cruise which finishes in Ushuaia in southern Argentina. Spend 2 nights in Ushuaia and then on to Buenos Aires. Spend a couple of nights in BA before joining a 3 day fully inclusive trip to the Iguassu Falls in a fall view room. Return to BA and fly home.
Chile's international airport is in the capital, Santiago de Chile. Flight times are about 13 hours from Europe and 11 hours from the United States.
Most international flights arrive into Santiago in the morning and with the domestic and international airports located next door to each other it makes for an easy connection to a domestic flight. However, a stay in this remarkable city is definitely worthwhile. It has beautiful parks, historic buildings and museums, great shopping, colourful markets and world class hotels and restaurants.
If you would like advice on what to do or where to stay in Santiago please email us. We can book city tours, beach breaks, wine or cycling tours, reserve hotels and even design a fully inclusive two or three night stay with all the arrangements made for you in advance.
After your stay or connection in Santiago you can continue on with a domestic flight to Punta Arenas (for Patagonia), Puerto Montt or Temuco (for the Lake District), San Pedro (for the Atacama) or wherever you intend to spend your holiday. As a guide, flight times to Punta Arenas are 3-4 hours depending on stops with flight times to Puerto Montt or Atacama under 2 hours.
Clients Arriving in Patagonia
All of our longer Patagonia tours start and finish in Punta Arenas. Some of these include the arrival night in a hotel in Punta Arenas. Please refer to the detailed itinerary notes for more information. Our shorter 4-day Patagonia trips tend to start and finish in Puerto Natales (a 3 hour bus ride from Punta Arenas). We recommend that clients travelling on to Torres del Paine arrive in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales the day prior to the trip start day. This provides some relaxation time after the flights in addition to giving an element of insurance against cancelled or delayed flights and tight connections.
On most of our trips, it is possible to fly out of Punta Arenas on the final day of the trip itinerary (please check times with us first). Some clients prefer to extend their stay with a final hotel night and meal out in Punta Arenas. For trips that do not include airport collection (check your particular itinerary for details) clients should take a taxi from the airport to their hotel. The journey takes around 15 minutes and should cost no more than $20. Most taxi drivers will accept US dollars. Alternatively, BlueGreen can arrange an airport transfer at $35 per person. This should be prebooked. We can recommend hotels in Punta Arenas and are happy to make reservations on a client's behalf (in some cases we will require a credit card number as security). Hotels vary to suit every budget from the comfortable and centrally located Hostal Calafate priced at around US$30 for a private room to the sumptuous and elegant Jose Nogeuira at over US$200 a night. Check our comprehensive Punta Arenas City Guide for more information.
Please also refer to the short trips section of this website or contact us for frank and reliable advice and suggestions on travel to other parts of Chile. Lost luggage
Despite what you might be told on check-in at your departure airport, it is better to check your own luggage off the international flight and onto your domestic flight. This will take a few extra minutes during transit but it will minimize the risk of luggage going astray. Missed connections
Please ensure you have a minimum of two to two and a half hours in Santiago to transfer to your domestic flight. Although the international and domestic terminals are next to each other there may be immigration queues and check-in delays, which can cause a missed connection. It seems that with some e-tickets, airlines are allowing bookings with connecting times of much less than this, which has resulted in clients' delays. Please note that BlueGreen cannot be held responsible for clients who do not arrive at the meeting point in time to start their trip. If we have to arrange expensive emergency transfers and extra accommodation, you will need to pay for these and then make a claim on your travel insurance. While we will of course do our best to ensure anyone arriving late is able to continue with their itinerary with minimal disruption and delay we regret that we cannot give refunds for missed hotel nights or activities. Flights with LanChile
Schedules and online bookings are available at www.lan.com.
Should I fly into Chile or Argentina?
With open jaw flights readily available, it is very possible to fly into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires or vice versa. Depending on the best availability of flights from your home country, you can choose which option suits you best. Many travellers visiting Chile will tag on some time in Argentina and vice versa. Both countries require an investment of time and money so why go all that way and not see them both?
There are many ways to connect the two countries depending on your travel priorities and requirements. Here are some ideas based on our knowledge and experience:
1. Fly into Santiago. Spend a couple of nights in the City before flying down to Punta Arenas for a trip in Torres del Paine. At the end of the trip, take the public bus to el Calafate in southern Argentina and visit the Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares NP. Fly up to Bariloche and take the boat/bus combo across to Puerto Montt in Chile. Spend some time in Puerto Montt and fly back to Santiago and home.
2. Fly into Buenos Aires. Spend a couple of nights in the City before flying to el Calafate in the south. Visit the Moreno Glacier and then take the bus to Puerto Natales in Chile. Spend a week in Torres del Paine and then take the Navimag boat north to Puerto Montt. Fly north to Santiago and spend 3 days exploring the vineyards and beach areas close to the City. Fly out of Santiago.
3. Fly into Santiago. Fly up to San Pedro de Atacama for a 3 day stay in a beautiful desert lodge with pool, spa treatments and activities. Fly back to Santiago and on to Punta Arenas. Join a hiking trip in Torres del Paine. Return to Punta Arenas and then join an exciting Antartic air/boat cruise which finishes in Ushuaia in southern Argentina. Spend 2 nights in Ushuaia and then on to Buenos Aires. Spend a couple of nights in BA before joining a 3 day fully inclusive trip to the Iguassu Falls in a fall view room. Return to BA and fly home.