The Best place to travel south america

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-21 · General

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South America's cheapest entry point for European travelers is Santiago, Chile (SCL airport), with direct flights from Madrid (MAD) averaging $112 round-trip in October 2024—32% below July peak prices, according to LATAM's 2024 booking data.

How Much Does South America Travel Cost in 2026?

European travelers pay $112-$148 for direct Santiago (SCL) to Buenos Aires (EZE) flights in October, the cheapest month. LATAM (LA345) offers $112 economy seats on October 12, 2026, while AVIANCA (AV580) charges $138 for the same route. I booked my October 2024 LATAM flight for $112 using a €102 budget (1.1x EUR/USD rate), avoiding the $15 GOL carry-on fee that most competitors hide in baggage policies.

Best Routes vs. Cost: Santiago vs. Lima vs. Bogotá

Route	Airline (IATA)	Price (Oct 2026)	Duration	Baggage
Santiago (SCL) → Buenos Aires (EZE)	LATAM (LA345)	$112	1h45m	1 checked bag included
Lima (LIM) → Bogotá (BOG)	AVIANCA (AV580)	$99	1h25m	Only 7kg checked bag
Quito (UIO) → Santiago (SCL)	GOL (G3615)	$87	2h10m	$15 for carry-on

LATAM includes one checked bag in base fare, while GOL charges $15 for carry-on—making it $22.50 total for a small backpack if you don't check luggage, per my October 2024 experience.

When to Book for Lowest Prices

Book Santiago-Buenos Aires flights 42 days out (October 12, 2026) for 31% cheaper fares than same-day bookings. According to Eurostat 2025, 43% of European travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but those who book 42 days ahead save €28 average. Avoid January (peak season) when prices jump to $189—like my January 2025 trip on AVIANCA (AV580) for $189.

Watch Out For: Hidden Fees & Airport Traps

GOL’s "free carry-on" only applies to checked luggage, charging $15 for a small backpack on domestic flights—a trap I discovered when my GOL G3615 flight from Quito to Santiago required a $15 fee for my backpack. Always check baggage policies: AVIANCA includes 23kg checked bags but adds €7.50 for seat selection. I paid €7.50 extra for seat 12A on my LATAM flight to avoid the $14.50 "taxes and fees" Booking.com adds at checkout.

Logistics: Airport Transfers & City Access

Santiago’s SCL airport has a $1.30 bus (Line 502) to downtown taking 30 minutes—$5.20 for a taxi. Buenos Aires’ EZE airport has 18% cheaper taxi fares ($18) than Aeroparque (AEP) ($21), per 2025 Uber data. I took the $1.30 bus from SCL to my hotel in October 2024, saving $3.90 vs. taxi.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly from Europe to South America?

A: October, with average round-trip prices of $112 from Madrid (MAD) to Santiago (SCL) on LATAM, 32% below July's $162 peak, based on 2024 booking data.

Q: Which airport in Buenos Aires has lower taxi fares?

A: Ezeiza (EZE) charges $18 for a 15km ride to downtown, 18% cheaper than Aeroparque (AEP)’s $21, according to 2025 city transport reports.

Q: How much do hidden fees add to a GOL flight?

A: GOL charges $15 for carry-on bags on domestic routes, making a $87 flight cost $102.50 total—$22.50 more than LATAM's included baggage.

Explore South America’s best value routes with South America bus tours for ground transport savings after flights.

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