Is it cheaper to fly one-way or round-trip?

Almost always round-trip or multi-city. Booking two separate one-way tickets on different airlines is usually 30-50% more expensive.

Should I buy travel insurance for my flight?

Yes. Flight cancellations are common in South America due to weather or strikes. Ensure your policy includes 'trip interruption' coverage.

Booking Round-Trip Flights to South America

To get the best price, book your international flight 3–5 months in advance and use a multi-city search tool to avoid backtracking. Fly into one major hub like Bogotá or Lima and out of another to maximize your time on the ground.

Use the 'Multi-City' feature. Don't book two separate one-way tickets. Use the 'Multi-City' search on Google Flights. South America is massive; flying into Lima and out of Buenos Aires saves you 24+ hours of bus travel and significant regional flight costs.
Identify your gateway hubs. Focus your search on major hubs with high competition: Bogotá (BOG), Lima (LIM), Santiago (SCL), or São Paulo (GRU). These airports usually have the lowest trans-continental fares.
Track with Google Flights alerts. Set up a price alert for your specific route at least 4 months out. If you see a price drop that looks reasonable for your dates, book it immediately. Do not wait for a 'perfect' price.
Book directly with the airline. Once you find the flight, go to the airline's official website to purchase. Third-party sites often make it difficult to resolve issues, change dates, or get support when flights are delayed or canceled.

Is it cheaper to fly one-way or round-trip?: Almost always round-trip or multi-city. Booking two separate one-way tickets on different airlines is usually 30-50% more expensive.
Should I buy travel insurance for my flight?: Yes. Flight cancellations are common in South America due to weather or strikes. Ensure your policy includes 'trip interruption' coverage.