Top 7 Cheapest South American Cities to Fly Into in 2025 | Budget Guide

Top 7 Cheapest South American Cities to Fly Into in 2025

Planning a South American adventure in 2025? Great news: trans-continental airfares to the region are at their most competitive in years. With new low-cost carriers, fare wars on major routes, and fuel-efficient aircraft bringing operating costs down, you can now reach vibrant capitals and tropical hubs for less than many domestic flights in North America or Europe.

At Voyista we track thousands of fare combinations every week. Below we reveal the seven cheapest South American cities to fly into—considering nonstop and one-stop deals from the U.S. and Canada, airport taxes, onward transport costs, and daily expenses once you land. Whether you crave Andean peaks, Amazon jungles, or Atlantic beaches, these gateways maximize value while placing you in the heart of unforgettable adventures.

1. Bogotá, Colombia

Avianca, LATAM, JetBlue, and Spirit all fight for market share on Bogotá routes, making El Dorado International one of the region’s cheapest entry points. Round-trip fares from Miami or New York regularly dip below US$260 in shoulder season. Once on the ground, expect a daily budget of US$40–US$55 for dorms, arepas, and TransMilenio buses. Use Voyista’s Avopass to line up day trips to the salt-cathedral town of Zipaquirá, graffiti tours in La Candelaria, or quick domestic hops to Medellín and Cartagena—all without breaking the bank.

2. Lima, Peru

Peru’s coastal capital is served by Delta, American, United, JetSMART, and Sky, plus budget upstart Arajet. Flash sales drop West-Coast fares to US$300–US$350 RT. Lima’s food scene—think ceviche, lomo saltado, and world-class coffee—costs a fraction of North-American equivalents. With Avopass you can snag early-bird bus tickets to Paracas, Huacachina, or Cusco, lock in a hostel in arty Barranco, and track all your museum e-tickets offline.

3. Quito, Ecuador

At 2,850 m (9,350 ft), Quito is literally a high-value destination. Ultra-low-cost carrier Arajet connects it to Florida and JFK for under US$280 RT during promos. The airport-to-city bus is US$2, while hearty almuerzos (set lunches) cost US$3–US$4. Voyista’s itinerary pairs Quito’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with side trips to Cotopaxi volcano and the equator line—synced in Avopass along with cheap LATAM fares to the Galápagos if you want to splurge later.

4. Santiago, Chile

Thanks to aggressive pricing by JetSMART and SKY Airline, Santiago offers some of the lowest long-haul fares to the Southern Cone—often US$450–US$550 RT from Los Angeles. Airport buses run 24/7 for US$3.50, and metro rides cost under a dollar. While Chile is pricier than its northern neighbors, you can offset costs with Voyista hostel partners in bohemian Bellavista and by booking night buses (with lie-flat "cama" seats) to Valparaíso, Atacama, or Patagonia directly inside Avopass.

5. São Paulo, Brazil

GRU (Guarulhos) is the busiest hub in South America, meaning fierce fare competition. American, Azul, LATAM, and United often post sub-US$500 deals from major U.S. gateways—sometimes under US$400 from Orlando or Houston. Once landed, local buses and the new airport train connect to downtown for under US$2. Daily backpacker budgets hover around US$45 if you embrace street food like pastel and pão de queijo. Voyista maps affordable onward flights to Rio, Iguazú Falls, or Salvador, plus alerts you to Brazil’s periodic domestic flash sales.

6. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Currency devaluation has turned Buenos Aires into a budget traveler’s dream. Fare sales from Miami frequently hit US$500 RT, and once you exchange at the "blue" rate, steak dinners cost what a coffee does back home. Subte metro rides are US$0.40, and Voyista recommends tango shows, rooftop hostel bars, and day trips to Tigre—all logged in Avopass. Looking to reach Patagonia on the cheap? The app compares Aerolíneas Argentinas with overnight buses so you pick comfort or cost.

7. Medellín, Colombia

Low-cost carriers Viva (now merged into Avianca) and Spirit make Medellín’s José María Córdova Airport remarkably affordable—round-trips under US$280 are common. The city’s eternal-spring climate, efficient metro-cable network, and thriving digital-nomad scene stretch every dollar. With Voyista you’ll ride the cable cars over Comuna 13 murals, book coffee-farm tours, and share dorms in leafy Poblado from just US$10 a night—tracked seamlessly in Avopass.

Why Travel South America with Voyista

Cheap flights are only half the equation. Voyista secures ultra-competitive hostel rates, bundles essential excursions, and—through the Avopass app—keeps all your e-tickets, offline maps, and cross-border bus schedules in one place. Need a last-minute PCR test or information on visa reciprocity fees? Avopass pushes instant updates so you’re never caught off guard.

Our curated itineraries balance iconic highlights with lesser-known gems, ensuring you experience authentic local culture without overspending. And because Voyista trips rely on efficient public transport—night buses, budget airlines, and shared shuttles—you’ll cover more ground in less time, all while shrinking your carbon footprint.

Ready to turn cheap airfare into the South American journey of a lifetime? Book with Voyista, download Avopass, and start planning sunsets over the Andes, Amazon boat rides, and samba-filled nights—all at a price your wallet will love.