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[BLAH]

trying to travel around south america this summer.i know it is a vague question, but how many bus stops(or amount of hours) does it take to get from lima to santiago? and about how much will it run me?how is the public transportation around the countries anyway? just need some info. thanks

[Sgt Killjoy]

With a trip like that, you could take public transportation and it might end up costing as much as a cheap plane ticket once you calculate in meals, hotels and the like on the way.

If you are taking the trip to save money, you should think otherwise. Now if you are doing it for the fun of it, it doesn't matter how many bus stops it takes, plan a week or more to savor the journey.

[matttheboy]

About 40-45 hours, changing probably once at the border or in the north of chile. The bus will be very good (coche cama) in chile but probably not as good in peru. Spend the money and get a plane ticket. www.lan.com or google peruvian airlines.

[lozwich]

There's also TACA for budget flights in Latin America. I've never flown with them, but my Rain Man-like fascination for safe airlines doesn't set off any alarm bells either.

[Guy Courchesne]

[matttheboy]

That's the one i was trying to remember...i flew taca from quito to buenos aires a couple of years ago...a bit of a bumpy ride on a crappy old plane which actually had real propellers but it was fine and pretty cheap as well by the standards of every other airline. as much free booze as you could drink to smooth things along as well...

[BLAH]

thanks for the advice from everyone i found tickets from the usa to lima for 500$ and from the usa to santiago for 900$. i figure travelling from peru to chile would defintely be less than 400$. i can really live cheap too. are there many places to stay for very cheap along the way?