Getting There & Away: San Pedro De Atacama

Air Travel

Airport & Flight Connections

El Loa Airport (CJC) in Calama is the closest airport, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from San Pedro de Atacama.

Flight Information:

LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline, and JetSMART fly daily from Santiago (SCL) to Calama (CJC).
The flight from Santiago to Calama takes about 2 hours.
No direct international flights to Calama. International travelers connect via Santiago.

Airport Transfers

Several transfer options connect Calama airport to San Pedro:

Transfer Choices:

Shared Shuttle: Most common and cost-effective (Transvip, Transfer Pampa).
Private Transfer: More expensive, direct service via hotels or local operators.
Taxi: Available but more expensive than shared shuttles.
Rental Car: Desks at Calama airport (Avis, Hertz, Europcar).

Flight Frequency

Flights to Calama are frequent throughout the year.

Pricing & Booking

Prices tend to be higher during Chilean holiday periods (July, Jan, Feb, long weekends). Booking flights in advance is recommended. Check Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner for deals.

Airport Facilities

Calama's El Loa Airport (CJC) is small with basic facilities: a few shops, cafes, car rental desks, and transfer kiosks.

Border Crossings

To/From Bolivia

Uyuni Salt Flats: Common border crossing at Hito Cajón.
Multi-day tours from San Pedro to Uyuni or vice-versa include border formalities.
Ollagüe: Less common crossing, mainly for cargo.
Bolivian visas apply if you plan to enter Bolivia.

To/From Argentina

Paso Jama: High-altitude border connects San Pedro with Jujuy, Argentina.
Bus services operate this route.
Argentinian visas apply if you plan to enter Argentina.
Driving may require specific vehicle documents.

Long-Distance Bus Options

From Santiago

Direct buses from Turbus and Pullman Bus operate to Calama (20-24 hours). From Calama, take a local bus or transfer to San Pedro.

From Northern Cities

Regular bus services connect cities like Antofagasta and Iquique to Calama. From Calama, further travel to San Pedro.

Calama to San Pedro

Local bus companies like Turbus and Pullman Bus offer frequent services. The journey from Calama's bus terminal to San Pedro's takes about 1.5 hours.

Self-Driving Considerations

Requirements & Vehicles

Careful consideration when choosing to self-drive:

Driving Prerequisites:

Valid domestic driver's license and International Driving Permit (IDP).
Credit card for deposit. Minimum rental age is typically 21-25.
A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for exploring beyond main routes. Find rental cars at DiscoverCars.com.

Road Conditions & Safety

Understand the challenges of desert driving:

Driving Environment:

Roads to major attractions are generally unpaved and can be rough.
Fuel stations are limited. Fill up in Calama.
GPS with offline maps or a physical map helps as cell service is spotty.
Inform someone of your itinerary. Carry extra water, food, and supplies. Night driving is not recommended.

Sea/River Arrivals

Sea or river arrivals do not apply to San Pedro de Atacama.

Not Applicable:

No sea access to this landlocked desert destination.
No river transport options.
Travel is strictly by air or land.

Departure Information

Prepare for your departure from San Pedro de Atacama:

Exit Procedures:

No standard exit fees for tourists leaving Chile by air or land.
Airfare typically includes airport taxes.
Arrive at Calama airport (CJC) at least 1.5-2 hours before domestic flights.
Arrive 30-45 minutes before departure for domestic buses.

Border Crossing Departures

For multi-day tours to Bolivia or Argentina, tour operators manage most formalities.
Be prepared for lengthy immigration and customs processes.
Especially at high-altitude land borders.

Calama airport has limited facilities for departing travelers.
The San Pedro de Atacama bus terminal is very basic.
Allow ample time for your departure.

Land Transportation Details

Self-Drive Requirements

Requirements for independent driving:

Checklist for Drivers:

Valid domestic driver's license.
International Driving Permit (IDP).
Credit card for rental deposit.
Minimum age for rental is typically 21-25.

Road Conditions

The condition of roads in the Atacama region:

What to Expect on Roads:

Roads to major attractions are generally unpaved and can be rough.
Especially after rain or heavy traffic.
A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for exploring beyond main routes.
Dust is a constant factor on unpaved roads.

Navigation

GPS with offline maps or a physical map is useful as cell service can be spotty in remote areas.

Fuel Availability

Gas stations are limited. Fill up your tank in Calama before heading to San Pedro de Atacama or for tours.

Safety Protocols

Inform someone of your itinerary. Carry extra water, food, and emergency supplies. Driving at night is not recommended due to unlit roads and animal crossings.

Train Services

Passenger Trains

No passenger train services connect directly to San Pedro de Atacama.

No Direct Rail Access:

San Pedro de Atacama does not have a train station for passenger travel.
Railways in the region mainly serve cargo transport.
Consider other transport methods like bus or air.

Alternative Transport

Given the lack of train service, explore other options:

Other Travel Modes:

Flights to Calama (CJC) are the fastest option for long distances.
Long-distance buses connect from major Chilean cities to Calama.
Car rentals provide flexibility for independent exploration.

Sea Arrivals

San Pedro de Atacama is a landlocked desert destination; sea arrivals are not applicable.

River Arrivals

No river transport options are available for reaching San Pedro de Atacama.

Geographic Isolation

Its unique desert location means access is only possible by air or land routes.

Practical Departure Tips

Airport Departure

Departing from Calama's El Loa Airport (CJC):

Airport Considerations:

Arrive 1.5-2 hours before domestic flights.
Complete check-in and security procedures.
Calama airport has limited facilities.

Bus Terminal Departure

Departing from San Pedro or Calama bus terminals:

Bus Travel Notes:

Arrive 30-45 minutes before departure for domestic buses.
San Pedro de Atacama's bus terminal is basic.
For international border crossings, tour operators handle most formalities.

International Land Departure

Border Formalities

Tour operators managing multi-day trips to Bolivia or Argentina handle border crossing paperwork.

Processing Time

Be prepared for potentially lengthy immigration and customs processes, especially at high-altitude land borders.

No Exit Fees

Chile does not charge standard exit fees for tourists departing by air or land.

Departure Checklist

Reconfirm all flight or bus times at least 24 hours prior.

Getting There & Away