Town in Los Lagos, Chile
Getting around Puerto Varas
How to get around Puerto Varas
The center is walkable. Buses and colectivos link Puerto Montt and Frutillar; tours or a rental car are needed for national parks.
Ways to get around Puerto Varas
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to Puerto Montt | About 1,000–1,500 CLP | Frequent local buses and colectivos, about 25 min |
| Intercity bus | About 5,000–20,000 CLP | Turbus and Pullman run to Santiago, Osorno and Bariloche routes |
| Walking | Free | Costanera and center are compact |
| Taxi | About 3,500–6,000 CLP in town | Radio taxis; limited ride-hailing |
Taxis in Puerto Varas
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. Local taxis and colectivos are the norm. Ride apps work in Puerto Montt, less reliably here.
Arriving in Puerto Varas
El Tepual (Puerto Montt) (PMC)
Bus or colectivo via Puerto Montt about 2,000–3,500 CLP, 1 h; taxi or transfer about 25,000–35,000 CLP, 30–40 min.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the right. Visitors may drive with their home licence plus an IDP; rental companies and police checks may ask for both.
- Onward travel in Chile: Comfortable long-distance buses (Turbus, Pullman) run the length of the country; flights with LATAM, Sky or JetSMART save days to Patagonia and the north.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Puerto Varas?
No ride-hailing apps work here. Local taxis and colectivos are the norm. Ride apps work in Puerto Montt, less reliably here.
What's the best way to get around Puerto Varas?
The center is walkable. Buses and colectivos link Puerto Montt and Frutillar; tours or a rental car are needed for national parks.
How do I get from the airport to Puerto Varas?
Bus or colectivo via Puerto Montt about 2,000–3,500 CLP, 1 h; taxi or transfer about 25,000–35,000 CLP, 30–40 min.
Is Puerto Varas walkable?
Very walkable.
More about Puerto Varas
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Sources
- Turbus
- Pullman Bus
- EFE Trenes de Chile
- Recorrido.cl (bus tickets)
- Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF)
- Servicio Nacional de Turismo (Sernatur)
- Turbus
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.