How to travel from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

The distance between Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama is around 3,645km (2,265 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 10h 55m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama by plane, 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 AtacamaPunta Arenas if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
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bus
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Plane and Bus

Fly from Punta Arenas (PUQ) to Antofagasta (ANF) then take the bus to San Pedro de Atacama.

  • Duration10h 55m
  • Flight time5h 10m
  • Typical cost
    $185($185)
Operated by

Multiple operators

💰 Cheapest
2
3 x bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Río Gallegos then San Salvador de Jujuy and then to San Pedro de Atacama.

  • Duration2 days 15h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    $130($130)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

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

3
car
+

Drive

Drive to San Pedro de Atacama.

  • Duration2 days 1h
  • Distance4,214km (2,618 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama

There are several options for getting from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama by plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around $130 and will take around 2 days 15h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 10h 55m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $185.

The distance between Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama is around 3,645km (2,265 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 3,372km (2,095 miles)

It takes around 10h 55m to get from Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama by plane and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2 days 1h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 10h 55m and will set you back approx $185.

The cheapest way to travel between Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around $130 for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama. We recommend that you fly from Punta Arenas (PUQ) to Antofagasta (ANF) then take the bus to San Pedro de Atacama. instead which will take 10h 55m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama. It typically takes around 2 days 15h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Río Gallegos and San Salvador de Jujuy. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 2 days 15h.

Buses Barria, Marga Taqsa, Viatac, Pullman Bus and Tramat run regular bus services between Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama. Buses run once daily and take around 2 days 15h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama. We recommend that you fly from Punta Arenas (PUQ) to Antofagasta (ANF) then take the bus to San Pedro de Atacama. instead which will take 10h 55m.

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 Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama. The distance is around 4,214km (2,618 miles) by road and it will take around 2 days 1h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 10h 55m and will usually cost around $185.

How do I get from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama

Compare travel optionsbetween Punta Arenas and San Pedro de Atacama

Transport options from Punta Arenas to San Pedro de Atacama
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Plane and Bus
10h 55m
$185($185)
twice daily3,645km (2,265 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
2 days 15h
$130($130)
once daily4,321km (2,685 miles)
Bus via Río Gallegos2 days 20h
$350($350)
once daily4,381km (2,722 miles)
Drive
2 days 1h
$435($435)
on demand4,214km (2,618 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Punta Arenas 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