South America overview
With its plethora of natural and cultural wonders, South America has always been a continent that captivates travelers from across the world. From its idyllic beaches to its snow-capped mountains, the tropical rainforests and the intriguing natives, when taking a quick inventory of what South America boasts, it’s not hard to understand why it’s such a fascinating destination. If you’re planning on taking a cheap flight to South America, you’ll be welcomed by a curious combination of familiarities, such as colonial churches, beach culture, and European languages, all topped off with a touch of the exotic!
When is the best time to fly to South America?
Peak season:
South America is a massive continent so it’s almost impossible to highlight just one peak tourism season. Countries such as Brazil and Argentina are pretty much year-round destinations, but the peak season in both these countries run from December through March, which is the summer months in which most tourists show up. It can be challenging to find cheap flight deals to South America from December through March for obvious reasons. Other countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador don’t have winter or summer months, but they do have wet and dry seasons. Due to the various seasonal changes, each country has its peak and off season. Generally speaking, the festive season over Christmas is when flight prices to South America are at their most expensive.
Off season:
Just like the peak season, it’s hard to differentiate between off seasons in the South American countries. The cheapest flights to South America can however often be found during the months of June and October, which is when the majority of South America’s countries experience their winters or monsoon seasons. Once you’ve decided where exactly you’d like to go in South America, you should aim to book your flights to that country during the off season to help you save as much as possible on flight and accommodation prices.
When is the best time to book a flight to South America?
To get the best deal on flights to South America, you’re going to have to book your trip as far ahead of time as possible. There will be a lot of cheap flights on offer to South America throughout the year, but this varies considerably from one country to another. Narrow down your list of must-visit destinations in South America and then start planning your flights around the peak and off seasons as well as festivals and each country’s climate. Comparing flights on offer from a range of different airlines based on various dates will also help you save money where possible and land the best flight deals to South America.
How long is the flight to South America?
Johannesburg to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 16 hours, 30 minutes
Johannesburg to Buenos Aires, Argentina 14 hours, 35 minutes
Johannesburg to Lima, Peru 17 hours, 35 minutes
Johannesburg to Santiago, Chile 16 hours
Which airlines operate flights to South America?
Since South America comprises out of a variety of countries, you’ll see that there are plenty of airlines that offer flight routes to and from South America. Once you’ve figured out where you’d like to go in South America, you’ll have a clearer indication of exactly which airlines operate flights to your countries of choice. You’ll probably end up seeing names such as British Airways, Brasil Central Linha, LAN Airlines, Tap Air Portugal, and Finnair coming up once you’ve refined your destination-specific search.
How to get from the airport to the city center?
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
If you’re heading to Brazil and touching down in Rio de Janeiro, you’ll have a few different options as to how you can get to the heart of the city. The Bus Rapid Transport system is a popular public transport service that’ll get you to the city center quickly and affordably. The airport is also serviced by a range of metered and pre-booked taxis, all of which can be found outside of the arrival terminals, which can be an excellent way of getting to the city in no time.
Argentina - Buenos Aires
For travelers heading to Argentina and arriving at Buenos Aires International airport, there are a few options which can be used to get to the city center. Buses and taxis provide safe, affordable, and efficient solutions for tourists looking to get into the city center from the airport. Alternatively, you can also check with the hotel you’re lodging with to enquire about any free shuttle services that might be on offer from the airport to the hotel premises.
Peru - Lima
You can easily get to the Lima city center if you’ve decided to arrive in Peru as part of your South American holiday. Taxis can be booked inside of the airport and found parked outside of the arrival terminals. Taking a cab to the city is one of the quickest and easiest ways on commuting around the city as well. If you don’t mind walking to the bus stop just outside of the airport, you can also make use of one of the buses which shuttle between the airport and the city center, although this might not be a viable option for travelers with loads of baggage.
Chile - Santiago
Simply put, public transport isn’t widely available at Chile’s airport in Santiago. One of the best and most affordable ways of getting to the city center from the airport is by using a metered or pre-booked taxi. Alternatively, you may also check with your hotel to find out whether or not they offer a complimentary shuttle service from the airport.