Should I book all flights before I go?

Book your international entry and exit flights plus any time-sensitive connections. Leave 2-3 regional flights unbooked for flexibility. You can often find good regional deals while traveling, and overland transport might appeal to you once there.

Which South American budget airlines are reliable?

Sky Airlines (Chile), JetSmart, Viva (Colombia/Peru), and Flybondi (Argentina) are solid budget options. They charge extra for everything but flights are generally on time. Always book directly through their websites.

How far in advance should I book regional flights?

4-6 weeks for best prices on most routes. Peak season flights (December-February, July) book up faster. Some routes like Galápagos flights should be booked months ahead.

What if I want to change my flight dates while traveling?

Budget airlines typically charge $50-100+ for changes. Full-service carriers offer more flexibility but cost more upfront. Always read change policies before booking. Some tickets are completely non-refundable.

How to Book Multi-City Flights for South America Backpacking

Book multi-city flights for South America by using airline alliance round-the-world tickets, booking separate one-way flights through budget carriers, or constructing your own multi-city itinerary through major booking sites. Expect to pay $800-1500 for a comprehensive South America circuit depending on cities included.

Map your route first. Plot your must-see cities on a map. Popular backpacker circuits include Lima-Cusco-La Paz-Buenos Aires-Rio or Bogotá-Quito-Lima-Santiago-Buenos Aires. Keep overland travel realistic — flying saves time between distant cities like Cartagena to Rio.
Choose your booking strategy. For 3-4 cities: Use multi-city search on Google Flights or Kayak. For 5+ cities: Consider Star Alliance Round-the-World tickets (16,000+ miles for $3,000-4,000) or book separate one-way flights. Budget airlines like Sky, JetSmart, and Viva dominate regional routes.
Book your entry and exit points. Start with your international flights into and out of South America. Common entry points are Bogotá, Lima, or São Paulo. Book these first as they anchor your entire itinerary and are often cheapest as round-trip international flights.
Fill in regional flights. Book regional flights 4-6 weeks ahead for best prices. LATAM dominates most routes but check Avianca, Gol, and budget carriers. One-way regional flights typically cost $80-300. Use airline websites directly for budget carriers as they often don't appear on booking sites.
Leave flexibility for overland travel. Don't book every leg as flights. Popular overland routes like Cusco to La Paz (bus) or Buenos Aires to Mendoza are scenic and cheap. Book flights for time-consuming routes like Lima to Rio (3,500km) or when crossing multiple countries quickly.

Should I book all flights before I go?: Book your international entry and exit flights plus any time-sensitive connections. Leave 2-3 regional flights unbooked for flexibility. You can often find good regional deals while traveling, and overland transport might appeal to you once there.
Which South American budget airlines are reliable?: Sky Airlines (Chile), JetSmart, Viva (Colombia/Peru), and Flybondi (Argentina) are solid budget options. They charge extra for everything but flights are generally on time. Always book directly through their websites.
How far in advance should I book regional flights?: 4-6 weeks for best prices on most routes. Peak season flights (December-February, July) book up faster. Some routes like Galápagos flights should be booked months ahead.
What if I want to change my flight dates while traveling?: Budget airlines typically charge $50-100+ for changes. Full-service carriers offer more flexibility but cost more upfront. Always read change policies before booking. Some tickets are completely non-refundable.