Getting to Arica, Chile — TFA World Guide

Getting There and Away

Written by David Garcia, Keith Roberts, Maria Gaulto

05/08/2025

A stunning aerial shot of the rocky coastline and waves in Arica, Chile.

CamilaIgnacia Anguloğlu, Pexels

Arica features key transport hubs including Chacalluta International Airport (ARI) for air travel, and two main bus terminals: the Terminal Rodoviario Arica for national routes within Chile, and the Terminal Internacional Arica, which primarily handles international connections to neighboring countries.

By Air:

One can fly directly to Arica's Chacalluta International Airport (ARI) from Santiago (SCL) with airlines such as LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSMART. The flight typically lasts around 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 41 minutes. Indicative one-way fares can start from $31-$51 USD, with round-trip options from $64-$101 USD.

Airport Transfers:

From Chacalluta Airport to Arica city center, private transfers generally take 20-30 minutes. Taxis are available, though prices may vary. Public buses offer a more economical option but can take 45-60 minutes due to multiple stops.

By Bus (National):

Buses frequently connect Arica with major Chilean cities.

To/From Santiago: Journeys typically take 28-30 hours, with costs ranging from $32-$120 USD.
To/From Iquique: Buses depart hourly, with travel times of 3 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours, and indicative fares from $6-$35 USD.
To/From San Pedro de Atacama: Overnight services are available, taking approximately 11 hours with fares around 10,000-13,000 Chilean pesos.

By Bus (International):

The International Bus Terminal provides services to surrounding countries.

To/From Tacna, Peru: Shared taxis (colectivos) offer a quicker option, taking 1.5-2 hours and costing about 6,500 Chilean pesos or 25 Peruvian soles as of January 2025. Buses are also available at a lower cost but with longer travel times.
To/From Bolivia (La Paz): Direct bus services are available, which are generally recommended for convenience.

By Car Rental:

Car rental agencies operate at Chacalluta Airport and within Arica city. Daily rental rates can start from $22-$29 USD, with an average around $51-$56 USD.

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