How to travel from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

The distance between Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama is around 2,674km (1,662 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1 day 3h.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama by bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out San Pedro de AtacamaPuerto Varas if you're planning a return trip.

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Bus via Santiago - Alameda Terminal

Take the bus to Santiago - Alameda Terminal then Calama and then to San Pedro de Atacama.

  • Duration1 day 10h
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    $89($89)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

🚀 Fastest
2
car
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Drive

Drive to San Pedro de Atacama.

  • Duration1 day 3h
  • Distance2,674km (1,662 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama

There are several options for getting from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama by bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around $57 and will take around 1 day 11h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1 day 3h, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $275.

The distance between Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama is around 2,674km (1,662 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,095km (1,302 miles)

It takes around 1 day 11h to get from Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 3h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama is to drive which takes around 1 day 3h and will set you back approx $275.

The cheapest way to travel between Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around $57 for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama. We recommend that you drive to San Pedro de Atacama. instead which will take 1 day 3h.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama. It typically takes around 1 day 11h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Santiago - Alameda, Universidad de Chile, Avenida Matta and Santiago. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 11h.

Via Lago Sur, Pullman Bus, Turbus, Frontera del Norte, Chile Local Buses, Atacama 2000, E.T.M. and Bus Norte run regular bus services between Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 11h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama. We recommend that you take the bus to Santiago - Alameda and then to San Pedro de Atacama. instead which will take 1 day 11h.

The closest major airport to San Pedro de Atacama is El Loa Airport (CJC) (CJC) which is approximately 86km (54 miles) from San Pedro de Atacama. Cerro Moreno International Airport (ANF) (ANF) and Diego Aracena International Airport (IQQ) (IQQ) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama. The distance is around 2,674km (1,662 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 3h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama is to take the bus which takes, on average, 1 day 11h and will usually cost around $57.

How do I get from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama

Compare travel optionsbetween Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama

Transport options from Puerto Varas to San Pedro de Atacama
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus via Santiago - Alameda Terminal + 2 similar
1 day 10h
$89($89)
5 times a day2,759km (1,714 miles)
Bus1 day 11h
$57($57)
once daily2,688km (1,670 miles)
Bus via Santiago - Terminal Sur1 day 11h
$80($80)
once daily2,683km (1,667 miles)
Drive
1 day 3h
$275($275)
on demand2,674km (1,662 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Puerto Varas and San Pedro de Atacama

Bus companies

Airlines

Airports near San Pedro de Atacama

The following major airports near San Pedro de Atacama offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Chile and internationally.

CJC
El Loa Airport (CJC)
Domestic Airport
Distance
86km (54 miles) from San Pedro de Atacama
ANF
Cerro Moreno International Airport (ANF)
Domestic Airport
Distance
237km (147 miles) from San Pedro de Atacama
IQQ
Diego Aracena International Airport (IQQ)
International Airport
Distance
333km (207 miles) from San Pedro de Atacama