Is it cheaper to fly or take the bus?

If you are traveling long distances (e.g., Lima to Buenos Aires), flying is worth the premium. For distances under 600km, the bus is usually cheaper, but factor in the 12-24 hours of lost time.

Do I need to show proof of onward travel?

Yes. Most airlines at check-in will ask to see an exit flight from the country you are entering. Have a screenshot of your next flight ready.

Booking Multi-City Flights Across South America

Avoid booking one-way tickets on major carriers, which are often priced as high as round-trips. Use regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) for individual legs and use flight comparison tools to identify the cheapest "hubs" for connections.

Use ITA Matrix to identify price anchors. Don't search on Expedia or Kayak first. Use Google’s ITA Matrix to see which days are cheapest for your primary long-haul routes. Use the 'multi-city' search function to test different orderings of your stops—changing the sequence of countries can save you $200+.
Separate long-haul from regional hops. Book your transatlantic/transpacific flight as one ticket. Then, book your South American regional flights separately using local LCCs. Do not combine them on a single itinerary; it triggers higher fares.
Identify your LCCs. Know who flies where. Use JetSMART and Sky Airline for Chile/Peru/Argentina; use LATAM for pan-regional connectivity; use GOL and Azul for Brazil. Check these specific airline sites directly for 'Promo' fares that aggregators often miss.
Use local versions of airline sites. When booking LATAM or GOL, toggle your browser to the local country version (e.g., .cl for Chile or .pe for Peru). Prices are often listed in the local currency and are frequently 15-20% cheaper than the 'Global' English site.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the bus?: If you are traveling long distances (e.g., Lima to Buenos Aires), flying is worth the premium. For distances under 600km, the bus is usually cheaper, but factor in the 12-24 hours of lost time.
Do I need to show proof of onward travel?: Yes. Most airlines at check-in will ask to see an exit flight from the country you are entering. Have a screenshot of your next flight ready.