Carretera Austral · Route 7
Carretera Austral car rental from Puerto Montt
The Carretera Austral starts in Puerto Montt, and Loki hands you the car there. For this road we recommend our SUVs, with unlimited mileage and published day and week rates.
- 1,200+ kmBetween Puerto Montt and Villa O'Higgins, according to Chile Travel.
- 5 SUVsThe models Loki recommends for the route and its gravel sections.
- Unlimited kmNo mileage cap on any car.
- 24 hoursTow service in continental Chile and Isla Grande de Chiloé.
Which car to take on the Carretera Austral
Loki recommends its SUVs for this road. This is what you can and cannot do with the car.
- Recommended
- MG ZX 4x2, MG ZS, Haval Jolion, Kia Sportage and Suzuki Grand Nomade 4x4.
- Where you can drive
- On the Carretera Austral and on gravel roads open to traffic.
- Sedans and low cars
- We do not recommend them for the full Carretera Austral.
- Not allowed
- Driving off authorised roads, or on beaches, dunes or rivers.
Cars and rates
Chilean pesos, per day and per week. Rates vary by season and availability. Loki confirms the car and the final rate before closing the rental.
SUVs recommended for the route
SUV · 5 seatsManualMG ZS
SUV · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 50,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 350,000 Chilean pesos per week
SUV · 5 seatsManualMG ZX
SUV · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 50,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 350,000 Chilean pesos per week
SUV · 5 seatsManualHaval Jolion
SUV · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 60,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 420,000 Chilean pesos per week
SUV · 5 seatsAutomaticKia Sportage
SUV · Automatic · 5 seats
CLP 70,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 490,000 Chilean pesos per week- 4x4 · 5 seatsManual
Suzuki Grand Nomade
4x4 · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 70,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 490,000 Chilean pesos per week
Other cars in the fleet
They suit the city and the lakes. We do not recommend them for the full Carretera Austral.
City Car · 5 seatsManualKia Morning
City Car · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 30,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 165,000 Chilean pesos per week
City Car · 4 seatsManualSuzuki Swift
City Car · Manual · 4 seats
CLP 30,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 210,000 Chilean pesos per week
Sedan · 5 seatsManualNissan Versa
Sedan · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 42,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 294,000 Chilean pesos per week
Sedan · 5 seatsManualToyota Yaris
Sedan · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 42,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 294,000 Chilean pesos per week
Sedan · 5 seatsManualVolkswagen Voyage
Sedan · Manual · 5 seats
CLP 42,000 Chilean pesos per dayCLP 294,000 Chilean pesos per week
What the rental includes and what we agree beforehand
- Unlimited mileage
- Every car includes it. A detour or a change of plan adds no cost per kilometre.
- 24-hour tow service
- Monday to Sunday, within continental Chile and Isla Grande de Chiloé.
- Returning in another city
- You can, if we agree it before the rental. It carries a charge that depends on the city, so name the city in your request.
- Crossing into Argentina
- Request the permit ideally 7 days ahead. We accept requests with a minimum of 48 hours, subject to confirmation. If the permit is not included in your quote, we tell you its cost before confirming the booking. Assistance in Argentina has limits and exclusions.Guide to crossing into Argentina with a rental car
Where you collect the car
Loki hands over the car where your trip starts. Choose the place and we agree it before you arrive.
- El Tepual airport
- A Loki driver meets you at your flight's real arrival time, which is why we ask for the flight number. The service costs CLP 15,000 between 09:00 and 20:00 and is charged once. Outside those hours the price is agreed with you.Airport car rental
- Puerto Montt
- At the bus terminal, your accommodation, your company or your home, as agreed.Puerto Montt car rental
- Puerto Varas
- At your hotel, your home, the terminal or another agreed place. Lead time is arranged according to availability.Puerto Varas car rental
Plan the route
The basics before you build an itinerary. The guides below go into days, ferries and choosing a car.
The first stretch from Puerto Montt
Puerto Montt
You collect the car here
Caleta La Arena
Ferry to Caleta Puelche
Caleta Puelche
Hornopirén
Two ferries and a short land section
Caleta Gonzalo
Chaitén
From Chaitén the road continues to La Junta, Puyuhuapi, Coyhaique and Villa O'Higgins.
Guide to leaving from Puerto Montt- Length of the route
- More than 1,200 km between Puerto Montt and Villa O'Higgins.Source: Chile Travel
- How many days
- Loki's guide recommends at least 10 days, and 12 to 16 to drive at a calm pace.See itineraries by days
- Ferries
- Leaving from Puerto Montt includes ferry crossings. Check schedules and availability with the operator before you book accommodation.Naviera Austral
Carretera Austral guides
- How many days you need by carItineraries of 8, 12 and 14 to 16 days from Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas.
- Carretera Austral by car, complete guideWhat to bring, ferries, stages and common mistakes, step by step.
- City car or SUV, which to chooseCompared on gravel, fuel use, luggage and how far you can go.
- Recommendations for leaving from Puerto MonttFirst stretches, weather by season and safety on gravel.
- Crossing into Argentina with a rental carPermit, documents and border crossings.
Frequently asked questions about renting for the Carretera Austral
Which car does Loki recommend for the Carretera Austral?
The SUVs in the fleet: MG ZX 4x2, MG ZS, Haval Jolion, Kia Sportage and Suzuki Grand Nomade 4x4. They may use the Carretera Austral and gravel roads open to traffic.
Can I drive the Carretera Austral in a sedan or a city car?
Loki does not recommend sedans or low cars for the full Carretera Austral. If you will only drive one stretch, say so in your request and we will check which car suits it.
Does the rental have a mileage limit?
No. Every Loki car includes unlimited mileage.
Can I return the car in another city?
Yes, if we agree it before the rental. Returning in another city carries a charge that depends on the city.
Can I cross into Argentina with the car?
Yes, with a permit. Request it ideally 7 days ahead. We accept requests with a minimum of 48 hours, subject to confirmation. If the permit is not included in your quote, we tell you its cost before confirming the booking. Assistance in Argentina has limits and exclusions.
What assistance do I have during the trip?
Loki offers tow service 24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday, within continental Chile and Isla Grande de Chiloé.
Can I drive on beaches, rivers or off the road?
No. Leaving authorised roads is not allowed, and neither is driving on beaches, dunes or rivers.
Where do I collect the car?
At El Tepual airport, in Puerto Montt or in Puerto Varas. At El Tepual a driver meets you at your flight's real arrival time. The airport service costs CLP 15,000 between 09:00 and 20:00. Outside those hours the price is agreed with you.
Are the published rates final?
They are the day and week rates Loki publishes. They vary by season and availability, and Loki confirms the final rate before closing the rental.
Tell us your route and your dates
Tell us how many days you will travel, how far south you will go, and whether you will cross into Argentina or return in another city. Loki reviews your request and contacts you to confirm the car and the rate.