How to find a cheap car rental deal in Chile
Pick up a cheap rental car in Chile and hit the road from just £16 a day. From solo getaways to family escapes, we'll help you find a rental that suits your trip.
Longer adventures offer better value, starting at £107 for a weekly rental.
Explore the range of car rentals in Santiago. This is where you'll find the cheapest wheels in Chile.
Santiago is the most popular city to rent a car.
Check out the deals from united rent a car before making a decision. It's chosen by more people than any other provider in Chile.
Step off the plane and into the driver's seat by picking up a ride at the airport. Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, Antofagasta Airport and Calama Airport all provide access to car rentals.
Santiago, Antofagasta, Calama, Puerto Montt and Concepcion are some of the most convenient cities to pick up a set of wheels.
Book a one-way rental and you could pay less. If a city is short on vehicles, providers often lower the price to encourage returns there. Choose 'Return car to a different location' to find those cheaper routes.
Need wheels for a few weeks? Sometimes you can score a discount with a 30-day booking, so try tweaking your dates to find the lowest rates.
Go for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy' and avoid extra fuel charges. It arrives with a full tank and goes back the same way, so you stay in control of what you spend.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey, not the odometer. Check for this feature under the 'Policies' filter and go big on distance, not on fees.
Best time to book a car rental in Chile
If you want to time it right, book around four weeks ahead to drive away with the best price on a car rental in Chile.
Think about heading over in September and make the most of average daily rates of £25. It's the most affordable month to rent a car.
August tends to be the most expensive.
Compare car rental types in Chile
Economy: True to its name, this option is designed with value in mind. It pairs some of the cheapest rates on offer with low fuel consumption to help keep the total spend down. If saving matters more than splurging, this is the clear winner.
Small: This category covers mini and economy cars designed to get you from A to B. Compact dimensions, fuel-efficient engines and good manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when looking for a cheap rental car in Chile.
Medium: Medium rentals are the happy middle ground. Neatly bridging the gap between small and large, they provide a little more comfort and space without going all out on size. Compact and intermediate models are included in this lineup.
Large: More people, more bags, more places to be. Large cars bring generous passenger space and increased luggage capacity, making them perfect for families and long-distance drives. Choose one of these full-size rides when comfort is non-negotiable.
SUV: From highways to scenic detours, SUVs can do it all. With a higher driving position, flexible seating layouts, and easy handling across changing terrain, they work perfectly for road trips throughout Chile.
Van: When you've got plenty to carry, a van rises to the occasion. This category of car for rent in Chile makes room for everything and everyone. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a sensible choice for group transport, moving or business use.
Luxury: Start your journey in true style. Featuring head-turning design, advanced technology, and performance tuned for precision and power, these vehicles redefine the rental experience.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but it's worth considering. If your vehicle is damaged, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying a hefty excess fee. Different providers have varying insurance policies and cover levels, so check the details before booking.
From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can seriously level up your drive. Consider which add-ons could enhance your trip when you rent a car in Chile.
Driving in Chile: What you need to know
Rental age requirements aren't always the same everywhere. Providers can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could encounter extra costs or restrictions. Check the specific rules for each supplier before booking your car rental in Chile.
Travel plans include the kids? Car seat requirements vary according to the location, and the best setup may depend on their age, height and weight. Make sure you add the right one to your car rental reservation in Chile.
You'll need some documents when you pick up your ride. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card that can be used for the security deposit (most companies don't accept debit cards), and additional photo ID. Your booking will outline the exact requirements.
Driving in Chile may feel unfamiliar if it's your first time. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the right side of the road.
Follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 45kph (30mph) in urban areas and 110kph (70mph) or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
In Chile, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.03%. If you expect to drink, hand the keys to someone else or use public transport instead.
Where to road trip in Chile?
Chile is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Santiago, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, and convenient airport pickup points at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport and El Tepual Airport. If you're planning car rental in Chile, these routes show how different pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types can shape your journey.
Nature and Adventure: The Lake District and Volcanic Corridor, Los Lagos Region
Pick up your car in Puerto Montt and drive north through the lake district, where an active volcanic chain frames the route between forested valleys and glacier-fed lakes. It suits drivers who want high-impact scenery without long daily distances, as most stops sit close together along the same corridor.
Recommended car: Mid-size SUV.
Suggested pickup point: El Tepual Airport, Puerto Montt.
Good for: Nature lovers, hikers and couples.
Road conditions: Paved highways, unpaved gravel sections, rural mountain roads.
Best time to go: November to March for dry, clear conditions.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Frutillar, Pucón.
History and Culture: The Central Valley Wine Heartland, Región Metropolitana to Maule
Drive south from Santiago through the central valley, where colonial towns, haciendas and the country's oldest wine-producing regions line the route toward a historic river town. This is a relaxed drive that suits travellers happy to cover short distances and spend most of their time off the road.
Recommended car: Compact or mid-size sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, Santiago.
Good for: Food and wine enthusiasts, history buffs and couples.
Road conditions: Paved highways, smooth rural roads, vineyard access tracks.
Best time to go: March to May for harvest season.
Trip length: Four to six days.
Key stops: Santa Cruz, Talca.
Remote Adventure: Patagonia and the Carretera Austral, Aysén Region
Pick up your car in Coyhaique and head south along one of the most remote unpaved routes in South America, connecting small frontier towns and river crossings through a vast and sparsely populated region. It's best suited to experienced drivers who are comfortable with challenging road conditions and long gaps between services.
Recommended car: High-clearance 4x4.
Suggested pickup point: Teniente Vidal Airport, Coyhaique.
Good for: Adventure travellers, overlanders and photographers.
Road conditions: Unpaved gravel roads, river crossings, rough mountain terrain.
Best time to go: December to February for passable roads.
Trip length: Seven to ten days.
Key stops: Cochrane, Villa Cerro Castillo.
Weather and driving conditions in Chile
Weather
Chile follows Southern Hemisphere seasons, so summer runs December through February with warm, dry conditions across central regions and the north stays arid all year. Winter spans June through August, bringing rain to central Chile and intensifying cold and wind across Patagonia in the south.
Snow on Andean passes requires tyre chains, and coastal fog in the north can reduce visibility quickly, so slow down when it rolls in. Heavy rain in the south calls for reduced speeds, and driving in Chile's Atacama Desert means heat that can stress your engine.
Driving conditions
The main highway running the length of Chile is well-paved and has tolls, making long-distance driving straightforward. Head south for a road trip in Chile and you'll encounter long gravel stretches, so confirm your rental covers unpaved roads before you go.
Santiago's centre uses a dense grid of one-way streets, and tolled urban highways are common. Congestion peaks sharply during rush hour, and central street parking is limited, making paid lots a practical option. {NS} Outside the cities, Chile's extreme length means services can be very sparse, particularly in the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. Secondary roads are often single-lane, and signage thins out considerably beyond main towns.
On rural roads through Patagonia and the Atacama, guanacos and free-roaming livestock can appear on unfenced highways, especially at dawn and dusk. Staying alert in these areas keeps things straightforward.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
Whether you're going far or keeping it local, the right stay can make the whole trip better when you've put in the miles. After booking your car rental in Chile, check prices for hotels in Santiago if this major stop is on your route. You can also search Antofagasta accommodation options or check out more places to stay in Calama as you put together your full route.
