Cheap flights from Cuzco to Calama

March is the cheapest month here, sitting between the southern summer holidays and the Easter travel period. Fares often climb around Christmas, New Year and winter school holidays, while November, February and the months after Easter can be calmer. Weekday departures are usually less pressured than weekend ones, and a flexible date search will show where the gaps are. Leave room for the connection, because a tight change can turn a cheaper fare into a missed flight.

LATAM Airlines and Lanperu are the full-service names in the list, and they usually include more in the fare than the low-cost carriers do. JetSMART Perú, Jetsmart, Sky Airline and Sky Airline Peru sit at the budget end, where the base price is lower but bags, seats and changes are often extra. Every option connects somewhere, because there are no direct flights on this route, so compare the operating carrier, the connection point and the total travel time rather than the headline fare alone.

Taxis and shared transfers are the usual way into central Calama from El Loa, and the ride is short but hot and dusty in the desert air. Velazco Astete is the departure point in Cuzco, sitting close to the city centre, so the outbound transfer is simple but altitude and traffic can slow it. At both ends, confirm which terminal your flight uses and allow time for security and boarding.

Currency

CLP (CLP$)

Power sockets

Type C, L · 220 V

Language

Spanish

Emergency number

130, 131, 132

Driving side

right

Calling code

+56

Internet domain

.cl

Population of Calama

158 k (2017)

Altitude

2,260 m · high altitude — take the first day slowly

Time zone

UTC-03 (America/Santiago)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check what the fare includes, especially baggage, seats and changes on the low-cost carriers.
• Check which connection and terminal each ticket uses, since there are no direct flights.
• Check Velazco Astete as your departure airport and El Loa as your arrival airport.
• Check passport and entry requirements for Chile before you book.
• Check March and nearby months if you want lower fares.
• Check enough connection time for a route with no direct flights.