Due to the length of the country and distances between its attractions, many travelers in Chile choose to travel on domestic flights in order to save time. It is a popular option for people traveling from Santiago to Patagonia or the far north.

The two main airlines in Chile are LAN and Sky Airlines, which link all the major Chilean cities. Fares on most routes from Santiago start at under $200 one-way.

In Patagonia, where transportation is thin on the ground, local flights are a speedy alternative to long waits and circuitous bus and ferry routes, and a handful of small regional air carriers and private air charters compete with the major airlines.

Easter Island virtually requires a flight, and LAN has several departures each week from Santiago to Easter Island. Be forewarned, however, that tickets to Easter Island don’t come cheap - they start at $500. Domestic tickets are subject to a small departure tax, but this is usually included in the ticket price - be sure to ask when booking.