Greetings, Forum experts! I am interested in an Intrepid Tour of Patagonia. It begins in Santiago (straightforward, albeit long flight with one connection from Seattle) and ends in Ushuaia.
I consider myself a savvy flight researcher so am surprised at the number of connections (up to 4!) within South America (Peru? Brazil?) or Mexico and long layovers, to get back to Seattle
The best I found was sone morning flights to Santiago, then late evening non- stop flights to Houston. Or possibly LAX. Then on to Seattle. But it'd be booked as separate tickets, not ideal.
Has anyone flown to Patagonia from the West Coast recently, with some insight? I'm also not familiar with the South American airlines/airports as far as any to avoid or prefer, especially with limited Spanish skills. (Toronto and Montreal pop up with Air Canada but that's way out of the way, too!)
Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1884 posts
When we went to Chile in 2015, we flew from Los Angeles to Santiago on LANChile Airlines. It is now LATAM Airlines. after a merger. We used Alaska Air miles. After a week or so we flew LAN to Punta Arenas, Chile for a 4 day cruise around the Straits of Magellan. I believe LATAM flies out of Ushuaia also, as it is a large airline operating in So. America. The flight from Santiago was good, about 4 hours. It may be longer to Ushuaia. Santiago airport was fine, modern, up-to-date. Punta Arenas airport was a typical smaller city airport and we had no problems at all. In both Santiago and Punta Arenas we took a taxi to/from the airports...not too expensive either. I can't speak to Ushuaia. Personally, I would spend a couple of days in Santiago if you can, and as long as you have gone that far. We enjoyed our time there.
Santiago is Chile's capital, a world class city, and its airport reflects that. (If I am not mistaken, LATAM (LANChile) is So. America's largest airline. It is perfectly fine. I would fly it again.) As an international airport you will find signage in English, and I would guess in Ushuaia too, with all the international travelers that go through there.
We also flew to and from Santiago and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). It was about 5 hours each way. LANChile again, modern planes, typical airline service and comfort.
By the way, I prefer Santiago airport over Heathrow and Frankfurt and CDG for ease of getting around inside.
Buen viaje!
Posted by
Halifax, NS
375 posts
I know this probably doesn’t help you, but I’m booked on a Patagonia trip this fall and am on the East Coast. I’m booked on the Air Canada. So I fly to Toronto and then to Buenos Aires. There is a stop in Brazil, but it’s the same aircraft going to Buenos Aires. So it is only one connection.
I’m flying back through Montreal.
The Santiago flights have the same stop in Brazil, but then a switch to a different airline for the Brazilian Santiago leg, but it’s all on one ticket.
Posted by
OP
West Coast
291 posts
Thank you both for taking the time to share your personal experiences!
It reaffirms what I'm finding in my research. It's just a very long distance! I may end up staying in a hotel on the way back once somewhere (!) in the US and using separate tickets. The 1-3 connections all over South America - Lima, Sao Paulo, etc make me nervous.
Thanks again!
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3081 posts
I didn't fly as far south, but on my return from Peru I ended up with a super long (7 hour) layover in Atlanta. I paid for lounge access and took a shower, had some food, and then was on to my Portland bound flight in short order. Most of the US bound flights from Lima left in the middle of the night (between 11 p.m. - 2 a.m.) and because of my home airport I just picked a layover that I knew would have more than one flight to PDX in the off chance something went wrong.
Posted by
OP
West Coast
291 posts
Thank you, CL!
I'm starting to think that's the right concept, for a West Coaster, as far as treating it like two trips- Ushuaria to whatever US arrival airport I can find, then as you describe for a lengthy layover- or overnight hotel- and onward domestically.