How to Get to San Pedro de Atacama
- From
- Santiago
- To
- San Pedro de Atacama
- By
- Flight to Calama, then road transfer
- Time
- About 4 hours door to door, plus waiting
- Cost
- Flight from around $80 one way, transfer about $31
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San Pedro de Atacama has no airport of its own. Everyone arrives through El Loa in Calama, about 100 km away, and the gap between the two is the part of the journey nobody plans for. Getting here is straightforward; it just has more steps than people expect, and the last of them is the one that gets forgotten at the booking stage.
Step by step
- 1
Fly Santiago to Calama (airport code CJC, El Loa).
About two hours, several flights daily on LATAM, JetSmart and Sky. This is the only practical way in; the alternative is a 24-hour bus. Book early for January, February and the September national holiday.
- 2
Cross the 100 km from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama.
Around ninety minutes by road. A shared transfer costs about $31 and is scheduled around arriving flights, so the operator needs your flight number and your San Pedro accommodation when you book. Buses also run from Calama's terminal, more cheaply and less conveniently.
- 3
Arrive in San Pedro and do nothing demanding.
Calama is at 2,260 m and San Pedro at 2,407 m, so you have already gained altitude before you drop your bag. Drink water, walk slowly, and leave the 4,320 m excursions for your third day.
- 4
Book the return transfer at the same time.
Departures from San Pedro are timed backwards from the flight and the early-morning slots go first, particularly in the southern summer.
Tips
- Send the transfer operator your flight number and your San Pedro accommodation, or they cannot schedule you.
- Draw Chilean pesos in Calama. San Pedro's ATMs run out in January and February, and every entrance fee outside the town is cash.
- Book the return transfer at the same time; the early-morning departure slots fill first.
Other ways to get there
| Method | Time | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight bus from Santiago to Calama | About 24 hours | A fraction of the flight | A real option on a long overland trip, and two days of a week-long holiday. |
| Local bus, Calama to San Pedro | About 2 hours | Cheaper than a transfer | Runs from Calama's bus terminal rather than the airport, so it means a taxi first. |
| Hire car from Calama airport | About 90 minutes | Rental plus fuel | The road is paved throughout. Whether you want the car all week is a separate question. |
Frequently asked questions
Is there an airport in San Pedro de Atacama?
Not for scheduled flights. El Loa in Calama is the nearest, about 100 km and ninety minutes away.
How long does it take from Santiago?
About two hours in the air, ninety minutes on the road, plus airport and transfer waiting. Roughly half a day door to door.
Can you get there by bus?
Yes. Santiago to Calama is about 24 hours by bus, and local buses run Calama to San Pedro.