Coming from outside Chile

If coming from abroad you will most probably arrive to Commodore Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport "AMBIA" (IATA: SCL, ICAO: SCEL), A.K.A. Pudahuel Airport or Santiago International Airport. From there the alternatives are the same as for anyone travelling from within Chile.

• By plane: Find a connecting flight to Valdivia or follow the directions in the next section (Coming from within Chile).
• By bus: At the International Airport, there are taxis, vans and buses available as transfers to reach Santiago Centro. Cost: taxi [differs; around $8.000 (US$15,65)]; vans (around $5.200 (US$10,17) or more; buses [around $1.500 (US$3,00)] Travel time: Approx: 25-45 minutes. Tell the driver to drop you off at the bus terminal in Santiago. There are 3 terminals: Terminal Santiago (website in Spanish), Terminal Alameda (only TURBus and Pullman Bus companies), and Terminal Borja. Continue reading the following section (Coming from within Chile).
• By car: You can rent a car at the airport. From the airport, you have to take the exit through Americo Vespucio Sur Highway. Continue until the exit Ruta 5 Sur (Autopista Central). Then follow the directions in the section at the right (Coming from within Chile).

Coming from within Chile

• By plane: The only airlines flying to Pichoy Airport in Valdivia is LAN Airlines. It is advised, to book in advance for cheaper rates. Please visit their website for more details and offers. Travel time: approx. 2 hours. Not all airports in Chile have direct flights to Valdivia.
  At Pichoy Airport, there are vans and taxis that you can take to the city of Valdivia. The transfer fee of the van costs around $3.000 CLP (approx: US$6,00). Please inform the driver or dispatcher where you would like them to drop you off (i.e., your booked hotel).
• By bus: From your closest bus terminal, buy bus tickets to Valdivia (i.e. Los Conquistadores, Pullman Bus, TURBus and others). Cost ranges from $5.000-$45.000 depending on the distance and the type of seat (Classico, Exclusivo, Semi-Cama and Cama) you prefer. Travel time: Approx: 10-12 hours from Santiago.
  From the bus terminal of Valdivia, there are taxis available. Taxi fare: depends on the distance of your accommodation from the terminal. Cost can range from $800 (approx: US$1,50) and up.
• By car: Take the Panamerican Highway (Ruta 5) to Valdivia. After reaching the exit to Valdivia drive 45 to 60 more kilometers to get to the city.