Car Hire at Antofagasta Airport – Pick Up Your Ride Right at the Terminal

If you’re landing at Cerro Moreno Airport (ANF) in Chile’s far north, renting a car right at the terminal is the smartest move. Antofagasta sits about 23 kilometres north of the airport along the coast, and while you can grab a taxi or bus, having your own wheels gives you the freedom to come and go as you please – especially if you’re planning to venture beyond the city.

This isn’t a typical tourist hotspot. Antofagasta is a working port city built around the mining industry, which means you’ll find a practical, no-nonsense place with decent restaurants, a scenic waterfront promenade, and access to some genuinely spectacular desert landscapes. The airport itself is modern and compact, with rental car counters located right inside the terminal building, so you won’t have to hunt around.

Picking Up Your Rental Car at Antofagasta Airport

Once you clear baggage claim and walk into the arrivals hall, you’ll see the rental car desks clustered together on your left – they’re hard to miss. Most major companies operate here, including local and international brands. It’s worth booking online before you arrive, especially during peak mining industry travel periods when availability can get tight.

The pickup process is straightforward: present your driver’s licence, credit card, and confirmation voucher. If you’re coming from abroad, an International Driving Permit is technically required alongside your home licence, though in practice some rental companies are flexible. We’d recommend bringing the IDP just to be safe – it costs around £15 and takes a day to sort out.

You’ll be given a vehicle that’s parked right outside the terminal in the dedicated rental car parking area. Take a quick walk around the car, snap photos of any existing marks, and check the fuel level before you head off. The airport is well-signposted, and getting onto the main highway (Ruta 5, the Pan-American highway) takes just a couple of minutes.

Where to Go from Antofagasta

Having a car opens up the region. Here are some realistic driving times from the airport:

• Antofagasta city centre – about 25 minutes via Ruta 5. Good for dinner, the waterfront, and stock up on supplies.
• Calama – roughly 3.5 hours via Ruta 28. The gateway to San Pedro de Atacama and the Atacama Salt Flats. This is a proper desert drive – sparse scenery, but mind-blowing in its scale.
• Tocopilla – about 1.5 hours north along Ruta 5. A smaller coastal town, interesting if you want to see a different side of northern Chile.
• Mejillones Peninsula – around 45 minutes north. Good for seafood restaurants right on the beach and some interesting geological formations.
• La Chimba National Reserve – about 1 hour inland from Antofagasta. Desert flora and wildlife, fairly easy walking trails.

Tips for Driving in Chile

Chile drives on the right, and rental cars are left-hand drive. Speed limits are 120 km/h on toll highways (peajes), 100 km/h on major roads, and 60 km/h in towns. Speed cameras are active and fines are hefty – don’t chance it, especially around the mining trucks that dominate the highways out here.

You’ll encounter toll booths (peajes) on Ruta 5 and Ruta 28. Most accept cash (Chilean pesos) and cards, but having some cash on hand is wise. The toll between the airport and Antofagasta is minimal – we’re talking a few thousand pesos.

Fuel stations are plentiful along the main highways, but if you’re heading inland toward Calama or San Pedro, fill up in Antofagasta before you go. The stations get sparser the deeper into the desert you venture. Diesel is cheaper than petrol (gasoline) if you’re driving a diesel vehicle.

One thing many visitors overlook: parking in Antofagasta can be tricky in the busy areas near the waterfront. Look for designated parking lots rather than leaving your car on the street, especially after dark.

Night driving outside the city is generally fine but be cautious about wildlife – particularly on rural stretches where animals sometimes wander onto the road.

Ready to roll? Book your car online before you fly, lock in the best rates, and skip the hassle of arranging transport once you land. We’ll have your vehicle waiting at the airport terminal, ready to go.