Best 3 Car Rental Companies in Chile 2026 Rankings

Q: How much does a car rental in Chile cost on average?

Expect to pay generally between 25 and 45 euros per day for a compact car in Santiago outside the high season. The 4x4 vehicles needed in Patagonia or on the Altiplano often jump to 70-120 euros per day depending on availability. Add the cost of the vehicle border-crossing permit if you head into Argentina, usually between 30 and 80 euros depending on the rental company. Prices spike in December-February, a period when demand vastly exceeds supply in Patagonia.

Chile stretches over 4,300 kilometres from the Atacama Desert to the Patagonian fjords, and a single rental agreement does not always cover every road or every administrative hurdle at the Argentine border. This ranking helps you choose your rental agency with confidence before hitting the road.

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#1 Sixt +26 recs 4.5/5

A global network reaching out to the ends of Chile

Sixt operates a desk right inside the Santiago airport, making it easy to grab your keys as soon as you land, alongside another location in the Las Condes neighborhood near downtown. The company also covers more remote destinations, from the Atacama Desert down to Patagonia, with one-way rentals available if you want to drop off your car at a different station.

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#2 Europcar +8 recs 3/5

From the Andes to Patagonia, with a rental counter at every major stop.

Europcar covers Chile from north to south, with counters in Arica, La Serena, Santiago, Puerto Montt all the way down to Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, both in town and at the airport. You can plan a custom road trip from the Atacama Desert to the Patagonian fjords, with pick-up close to your arrival point and 24-hour on-site assistance.

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#3 Patagonia Rent 0 rec

Vehicle rental service specializing in fully equipped vehicles for exploring Patagonia.

Run by locals, our local car rental service is the top-rated in the Aysén region. We offer the best 4x2 and 4x4 models for a seamless trip across Chilean and Argentine Patagonia. Pick up your car directly at the airport as soon as your flight lands.

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Car rentals in Chile: Key things to know

Chile stretches over 4 000 kilometres, running from the Atacama Desert down to Patagonia. This geography changes how renting a car works compared to driving around the US or Europe.

Santiago has the highest concentration of rental agencies, mostly based out of Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. Depending on where you plan to drive, picking up your vehicle directly in La Serena, Puerto Montt, or Punta Arenas often makes more logistical sense.

Crossing international borders

Many travelers want to combine Chile with Argentina, heading across to Bariloche, crossing from San Pedro de Atacama to Salta, or exploring Argentine Patagonia. This is where a common issue catches people off guard.

Not all agencies allow border crossings, and the ones that do almost always require specific paperwork: a vehicle exit permit (known locally as a permiso para salir del país or equivalent document).

This document costs extra, usually billed on top of your daily rental rate
You must request it several days before your trip, never at the last minute
Some rental companies limit this service to 4x4 vehicles or specific vehicle classes
Your insurance policy must explicitly cover driving outside of Chilean territory

Keep in mind: If your route crosses into Argentina, mention it when you book. Showing up at the rental counter without prior notice usually means your request gets rejected on the spot.

Unpaved roads and vehicle restrictions

A good chunk of the Chilean road network, particularly along the Carretera Austral in Patagonia and parts of the Atacama region, consists of gravel and dirt roads.

Some rental agreements explicitly exclude roadside assistance and damage coverage on unpaved surfaces. Before you book a standard sedan for a road trip through these areas, check the fine print regarding ripio (gravel) roads.

For the Carretera Austral or the high-altitude Altiplano tracks, a 4x4 is strongly recommended, and some companies require it for those routes.

Required documents and paperwork

A valid US driver's license is generally accepted for short stays, but certain agencies request an International Driving Permit (IDP) as backup, particularly for long-term rentals or cross-border trips.

Good to know:

A valid passport is mandatory for every driver
A credit card in the primary driver's name is required for the security deposit
Minimum age requirements are typically set at 21 or 23 depending on the vehicle category
Proof of accommodation is occasionally requested for long-term rentals

Local agencies versus major international brands

International brands

Major global rental companies have a strong presence in Santiago and major regional airports. They provide standard fleets and predictable service, which helps if you are planning a complex one-way itinerary with multiple drop-off points.

Local agencies

Chilean local agencies operate extensively in tourist hubs like Atacama and Patagonia, where they understand local road conditions and seasonal restrictions better than anyone. They also tend to offer more flexibility regarding border crossing authorizations, a policy where major international chains are often rigid.

Seasonality: When to book in Chile

Chile spans multiple climate zones. Peak tourism season in Chilean Patagonia runs from December through February during the southern summer, driving up rental rates and quickly wiping out 4x4 availability.

In the north around Atacama, demand stays steadier year-round, peaking around local school holidays during the southern summer and end-of-year celebrations.

How far in advance should you book?

Lead times vary widely depending on your destination and travel dates. For standard rentals in Santiago or a major city outside of peak season, booking a few weeks ahead usually works fine.

Patagonia in the southern summer is a different story. You need to book 3 to 6 months ahead to lock down a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle, since inventory is limited across most local fleets.

The border crossing factor

If your trip involves driving into Argentina, factor in extra time. The vehicle exit permit requires advance paperwork, which adds to your normal vehicle reservation timeline.

Booking timelines by itinerary

Standard rental outside peak season: a few weeks in advance is plenty
Patagonia or Atacama in southern summer (December to February): book 3 to 6 months ahead
Cross-border trips to Argentina: factor in time to process the exit permit before departure
New Year holidays and Chilean school breaks: local demand combines with foreign tourism, further shrinking available stock

Frequently asked questions

How much does a car rental in Chile cost on average?

Expect to pay generally between 25 and 45 euros per day for a compact car in Santiago outside the high season. The 4x4 vehicles needed in Patagonia or on the Altiplano often jump to 70-120 euros per day depending on availability. Add the cost of the vehicle border-crossing permit if you head into Argentina, usually between 30 and 80 euros depending on the rental company. Prices spike in December-February, a period when demand vastly exceeds supply in Patagonia.

Is mileage limited on long drives in Chile?

Many rental agreements include unlimited mileage for multi-day rentals, but it is not standard across the board, especially with smaller local agencies. Check this detail before booking if your itinerary covers long distances, such as a round trip between Santiago and the Atacama Desert or a drive along the Carretera Austral, which can easily rack up several thousand kilometers.

Can you return the rental car in a different city than where you picked it up?

Yes, most major rental agencies offer this one-way option, which is helpful if you are driving down from Santiago to Puerto Montt, for instance. However, it almost always comes with an extra fee, which can be steep depending on the distance between the two cities.

Local agencies often restrict this option to their own regional operating area
The drop-off fee for returning the car elsewhere must be requested during the quote process and is not always displayed upfront

What insurance is best for driving on Chilean gravel roads?

Basic collision damage waiver (CDW) policies frequently exclude damage on unpaved roads, something worth keeping in mind for the Carretera Austral. Ask for supplementary coverage explicitly covering ripio (gravel roads) before you sign, especially for a 4x4 intended for Atacama or Patagonia. Without this clause, a simple flat tire or cracked windshield on a dirt track can remain entirely your responsibility.

What scams should you watch out for with car rental companies in Chile?

The most common trap involves the condition of the vehicle upon return, as some rental companies charge for pre-existing damage that was not noted at pickup.

Photograph the car from every angle before leaving the lot
Verify that the contract explicitly states permission to cross the border if you are heading into Argentina, rather than relying on a verbal promise
Watch out for rock-bottom rates online that get weighed down by mandatory fees added at the counter (such as GPS units, child seats, or supplemental insurance)