Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama

About This Experience

Ruta Chile runs this transfer between El Loa Airport (CJC) in Calama and your hotel or apartment in San Pedro de Atacama, in either direction. The drive covers about 100 km of Route 23 and takes around 1.5 hours in an air-conditioned vehicle. With a 4.6 rating from 814 reviews, it is the most-reviewed transfer we cover, and seats start from $30 per person.

When you land, your driver is waiting by the exit door with a card showing your name. Reviewers describe a name board listing everyone booked on the van, a wait of a few minutes for other passengers off the same flight, and drop-off at the door of their lodging. On the way you can listen to music or ask the driver about things to do in San Pedro.

Going back to the airport, you are usually picked up at least three hours before your flight. Confirm your departure time with your airline at least 24 hours before the service. Some drivers speak little or no English, so the operator suggests phoning them if anything gets lost in translation.

The listing describes a shared or private service, but every option on sale when we checked dates on 3 October 2026 was shared. If you want a vehicle to yourselves, Ruta Chile sells a separate private transfer from $89 per person.

Highlights

• Driver waiting at the CJC exit door with a card showing your name
• Door-to-door between the airport and your San Pedro hotel or apartment
• About 1.5 hours on Route 23 in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Runs in both directions, with one-way and round-trip options
• Return pickups timed at least three hours before your flight
• Ask the driver for tips on things to do in San Pedro on the way

What's Included

• ✓ Shared transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle between El Loa Airport (CJC) and San Pedro de Atacama
• ✓ Pickup or drop-off at your hotel or apartment in San Pedro de Atacama
• ✓ Meet-and-greet at the airport exit
• ✓ One suitcase and one carry-on bag per person
• ✓ All taxes, fees and handling charges

Not Included

• Gratuities (optional)
• Oversize luggage (not allowed)
• Bags beyond one suitcase and one carry-on per person
• A private vehicle (the options currently on sale are shared)

What to Bring

• Passport or ID card

Good to Know & Caveats

• Send your flight number, date and time, plus the name of your hotel in San Pedro, with your reservation.
• Confirm your flight time with your airline at least 24 hours before the transfer.
• Return pickups are usually at least three hours before departure; reviewers say the exact time may only arrive about 12 hours ahead, so keep your phone on.
• Some drivers speak little or no English; phone the operator if you need help.
• Bring your passport or ID card.
• San Pedro sits at about 2,400 m, so take your first day gently.

Meeting Point

Your driver waits at the exit door of El Loa Airport (CJC) holding a card with your name; trips to the airport start with a pickup at your hotel or apartment in San Pedro de Atacama.