San Pedro de Atacama, a desert oasis, is primarily accessed via El Loa International Airport (CJC) in Calama, the nearest major transport hub. For ground travel, various bus terminals in Calama and Santiago serve as key departure and arrival points.
The quickest method involves flying to Calama's El Loa International Airport (CJC). Daily flights from Santiago (SCL) are available with airlines like LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSmart, typically taking 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes. Fares can range from approximately $20 to $194 USD for a one-way trip.
Upon arrival at Calama Airport, several transfer options are available. Shared transfer services offer direct routes to accommodations in San Pedro de Atacama, with a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, costing approximately CLP 19,800 to CLP 26,000 (around $21-$32 USD) for a one-way trip. Private transfers can also be booked for enhanced comfort and flexibility.
Local buses from Calama city to San Pedro de Atacama take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Operators include Tur Bus, Frontera del Norte, and Atacama 2000, with fares ranging from around $5 to $28 USD.
Long-distance buses from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama typically take between 22 and 24 hours. Some companies, such as Tur Bus, offer direct services, while others may require a transfer in Calama. Ticket prices generally range from $35 to $70 USD.
Buses connect San Pedro de Atacama with cities in Argentina and Bolivia. Journeys from Salta, Argentina, average 11 hours 30 minutes and cost around $71 USD. From Uyuni, Bolivia, the trip is about 12 hours and costs approximately $47 USD.
Renting a car provides flexibility for exploring the region. Vehicles can be picked up at Calama Airport. The drive from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama covers about 100 kilometers on a well-maintained road (Route 23) and takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. The average daily rental rate in San Pedro de Atacama is around $57.70 USD.
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