Travel & Explore

Carretera Austral road trip: planning outline

By the Travel & Explore team · Last checked

On this page
  1. The route
  2. When to go
  3. Getting there and the car
  4. Driving there as a UK driver
  5. Remote stretches and ferries
  6. Before you book
  7. FAQs

This guide suits UK drivers planning a self-drive trip on Chile's Carretera Austral. It suits people who are comfortable on gravel roads. Use it to plan the trip, then check each point against the official sources linked below.

The route

The Carretera Austral runs from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, and Chile Travel describes it as more than 1,200 kilometres long (Chile Travel). Chile Travel names Coyhaique and Puerto Río Tranquilo as points on the route, and Balmaceda as the airport for Coyhaique and the centre of the route. The official page does not give a day-by-day route, so the route will be built from road sources.

When to go

Chile Travel recommends summer, from December to March, which it credits with favourable weather and longer days (Chile Travel). Pack cold-weather and wet-weather clothing anyway, because the weather on the route is variable (same source).

If your trip includes the Chile–Argentina border crossing in the Andes, check the timing. GOV.UK says winter weather sometimes temporarily closes that crossing between June and September (GOV.UK: Chile travel advice).

Getting there and the car

Chile Travel names Puerto Montt's El Tepual airport (PMC) as the northern start of the route, and Balmaceda (BBA) as the airport for Coyhaique. It says both have direct flights from Santiago (Chile Travel). Check airline schedules before you book, because the official page gives no timetable.

Chile Travel recommends a four-wheel-drive vehicle because the route has gravel stretches and variable weather (same source). GOV.UK says main roads in Chile are surfaced, but you may need a four-wheel-drive vehicle in the countryside, and that toll roads are increasingly common (GOV.UK: Chile travel advice). If you hire a car, get appropriate insurance. GOV.UK suggests adding windscreen damage cover, because windscreen repairs can be expensive (same source).

Driving there as a UK driver

GOV.UK says you can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Chile for 3 months (GOV.UK: Chile travel advice). If you still have a paper licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence, and you may need the correct version of an International Driving Permit (IDP) (same source). For a general guide to IDPs, see driving licence and IDP abroad.

Drivers must carry their passport and proof of tourist status in the vehicle, such as a tourist card or the passport entry stamp (same source). GOV.UK also says you need your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad, and that you should check the travel advice for all countries you will drive through (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

Remote stretches and ferries

Chile Travel says some stretches have limited services, so take cold-weather and wet-weather clothing and supplies. It also asks you not to feed native wildlife and not to leave rubbish behind (Chile Travel). You must take ferries at points including Caleta La Arena and Puerto Yungay (same source).

GOV.UK warns that road conditions may be hazardous in heavy rain, with increased risk of delays and accidents, and advises you to plan carefully and allow extra time (GOV.UK: Chile travel advice). It also advises you to keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed (same source).

Before you book

  • Check current road and weather conditions with official sources before each leg.
  • Confirm your licence and IDP position against the GOV.UK Chile advice for your travel dates.
  • Ask your hire provider about four-wheel drive, insurance, windscreen cover and the return procedure.
  • Confirm where the car must be handed over, and the provider's opening hours.
  • Plan supplies for the stretches with limited services.
  • Confirm ferry times before you fix your daily plan.
  • Keep at least one day flexible in case conditions change.
  • Check the official travel advice for Chile again close to your departure.

For other regional guides, see the Worldwide road trips hub. The road trip research checklist lists the official sources to check for each open question.

FAQs

Can I drive the Carretera Austral on a UK licence?

GOV.UK says you can use a UK photocard licence to drive in Chile for 3 months. If you have a paper licence, check whether you need to update it, and whether you need an IDP.

Does the Carretera Austral need a four-wheel drive?

Chile Travel recommends one, because the route has gravel stretches and variable weather.

When is the best time to go?

Chile Travel recommends December to March, when it says the weather is favourable and the days are longer.

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Sources