Booking Multi-City Flights for a South America Backpacking Trip

Avoid booking one long ticket. Book a round-trip or open-jaw ticket to your primary entry and exit hubs, then use regional low-cost carriers or buses for internal travel to maintain flexibility and save money.

1. Establish your anchor cities. Identify two major hubs with high international flight volume, like Bogotá, Lima, or Santiago. Booking a 'multi-city' ticket between these two hubs is usually cheaper than individual one-way tickets.
2. Use ITA Matrix for planning. Use the ITA Matrix flight search tool to look for open-jaw routes (flying into one city and out of another). This allows you to see the true cost of international legs without the clutter of low-cost regional airlines.
3. Isolate regional flights. Once you have your international backbone, use Skyscanner or Google Flights to search for regional legs. Many smaller South American airlines (like Sky Airline or JetSmart) don't appear on major global booking sites.
4. Check baggage policies. Regional low-cost carriers in South America are aggressive with baggage fees. Always factor in the cost of a 20kg checked bag when comparing prices against bus travel, as it can double the cost of a 'cheap' flight.

Should I book all my flights before I leave?

No. South American travel is unpredictable due to weather, protests, or just liking a place more than you expected. Book your main international legs and leave the regional segments open.

Are buses better than flights?

For distances under 10 hours, yes. Buses are significantly cheaper, more flexible, and save you the cost of a night in a hostel. Use flights only for legs crossing major geographic barriers like the Andes or Amazon.