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Carretera Austral Road Trip Chile
Carretera Austral is a scenic road trip in Chile which offers breathtaking views of the natural landscape of Patagonia region. It is also known as Chile’s Route 7 and stretches around 1240 kms from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins. Carretera Austral is considered as one of the challenging road trips of the region but it is totally worth it. On this road trip, you will pass through stunning landscapes consisting of mountains, glaciers, fjords, rivers and dense forests. What makes this road trip more adventurous is the gravel and paved mixed roads and ferry crossings.
This route provides access to some of the most beautiful attractions like Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, Marble Caves, Cerro Castillo National Park, Queulat National Park. If you are someone who loves nature and adventure, then this road trip has to be in the top 5 of your road trip bucket-list. So get started with your Carretera Austral chile road trip itinerary, mark Route 7 on the map and experience a journey like no other.
Popular Places to Visit along Carretera Austral Road Trip Chile
If you want to fully experience this road trip and make it an unforgettable journey of your life, these are the top places to visit while along the trip.
| Place | Distance from Previous Location | Drive Time from Previous Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Montt | – | – | Start of the Carretera Austral, coastal city, ferry to Chiloé. |
| Hornopirén | 109 km | ~3 hours | Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, fjords. |
| Caleta Gonzalo | 60 km (ferry crossing) | ~4 hours | Gateway to Pumalín Park, waterfalls, temperate rainforest. |
| Chaitén | 57 km | ~1 hour 30 mins | Volcano, beaches, entry to Pumalín Park. |
| Futaleufú | 156 km | ~3 hours 30 mins | World-class whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking. |
| Puyuhuapi | 180 km | ~4 hours 30 mins | Queulat National Park, Hanging Glacier (Ventisquero Colgante). |
| Coyhaique | 220 km | ~5 hours 30 mins | Largest city on the route, fuel, food, Cerro Castillo trekking. |
| Cerro Castillo National Park | 95 km | ~2 hours | Best trekking on the route, dramatic peaks, turquoise lakes. |
| Puerto Río Tranquilo | 120 km | ~2 hours 30 mins | Marble Caves on General Carrera Lake, glacier tours. |
| Chile Chico | 167 km | ~3 hours 30 mins | Border town with Argentina, microclimate, vineyards. |
| Cochrane | 115 km | ~2 hours 30 mins | Baker River, Tamango National Reserve (huemul deer). |
| Caleta Tortel | 125 km | ~3 hours 30 mins | Wooden boardwalk town, fjords, boat tours. |
| Villa O’Higgins | 157 km | ~4 hours | Last stop on Carretera Austral, remote beauty, boat to glaciers. |
Cheap Car Rental Carretera Austral Road Trip Chile
If you are looking for the cheapest prices for self-drive car rental to do this epic road trip then you can book through us. Ours is a car rental comparison and booking platform where you can choose any vehicle from a wide variety of options and compare the prices from the best car rental companies, to fetch the best possible price. By booking a car rental through our easy-to-use website, you can save both time and money.
According to your travel requirements, you can choose any vehicle from our long lineup of vehicles which includes mini, economy, compact, standard, full size, SUV, luxury cars and a wide variety of vans and minivans as well. To provide you with the best-in-class mobility services, we are partnered with the top car hire companies of Chile such as Avis, Budget, Alamo, National, Europcar, Street Rent a Car, Euro Rent, FlexWays, Final Rentals and more. So you do not have to worry about the reliability and trustworthiness as these are among the leading names in the industry. If you have already started planning your Carretera Austral road trip then book your car rental as soon as possible to get the lowest possible price for your preferred car.
Tips for Car Rental Carretera Austral Road Trip Chile
- The best time to go on a Carretera Austral road trip is from December-March, which is the summer season in Chile. It is the best weather with long daylight hours and better road conditions.
- The best place to pick up a car rental for Carretera Austral road trip is Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) or Puerto Montt Downtown.
- Choose an ideal car according to your travel and budget needs. SUVs are quite popular among renters for this road trip due to difficult terrain.
- Book your car well in advance to be able to reserve your desired car and get the lowest possible price for it.
- GPS navigation system is a must-have equipment for this road trip.
- Before booking, check out the range of add-ons which includes WiFi Access, child or infant seats, additional driver, winter tires, snow chains, etc.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) will be required if your home country DL is not printed in the Roman alphabet.
- It is recommended to book a car rental deal with unlimited mileage when booking for a long-haul road trip, to avoid additional cost.
- Read the Rental Terms carefully to understand the fuel policy and return the car accordingly to avoid added expenses at the end of your rental.
- Be cautious of the fuel in your car rental as the gas stations are far apart on this road trip.
- There are 2-4 ferry crossings on this road trip and you may have to book in advance for some or all of them.
How to find cheap car rental prices for Carretera Austral road trip in Chile?
If you are looking for the cheap car rental prices for then you can book through our website as we bring you a wide fleet of vehicles from the best car rental companies at the cheapest prices. You can fetch these cheap deals by comparing the prices in our booking engine.
Can I rent a car for Carretera Austral road trip in Chile without a credit card and deposit?
To rent a car for this road trip in Chile, you must have a credit card. Most of the car rental companies require credit cards to hold a refundable security deposit against your booking for financial security, in case of damages. The amount of security deposit of your preferred car is mentioned in the Rental Terms and it is refunded once you return the car and the checks are done by the supplier.
What is the cost of renting a luxury car for a Carretera Austral road trip Chile?
The total cost of renting a luxury car for Carretera Austral road trip is determined by several factors such as rental supplier, duration of your rental, type of rental – one way or round trip, time of the year. You can run a query in our booking engine to check the estimated cost of your preferred deals.
How old do you have to be to book a car rental for Carretera Austral road trip in Chile?
To book a car rental for Carretera Austral road trip in Chile, you must be 21 years old or above. A Young Driver Surcharge will be levied on drivers below a certain age. The age restrictions may vary from supplier to supplier and larger car categories like luxury cars or vans.
What are the requirements to rent a car for Carretera Austral road trip in Chile?
To book a car rental for Carretera Austral road trip, you must have following documents:
- Valid Driver’s License
- International Driving Permit (IDP) for the foreign renters
- National Identity proof preferably Passport
- Credit Card in the name of primary driver
- Rental Confirmation Voucher
Can I book an automatic SUV rental from Puerto Montt Airport for Carretera Austral road trip?
Yes, you can book an automatic SUV rental from Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) for Carretera Austral road trip through us. Just enter your pick up and drop off locations in our booking form and search for available vehicles. Use filters to refine the search results for easy comparison. Compare the deals and get the best prices.