Advice on getting to Macchu Picchu

[Casso]

Unless you are lucky enough to have a NZ passport

Nope, this flightless bird is a cassowary, not a kiwi!

 

[Boca68]

Good that you got it changed to the day before. Certainly 1hr 25min its way too tight. Possible for sure if all runs smoithly, but much of the time unlikely.

And the other good reason is, if you had of missed QF27 SYD-SCL, the next flight they could put you on would LA800 SYD-AKL-SCL almost 24 hours later. Departs earlier than QF27 11:10am I think. Or possibly 48 hours for QF27 again, Depending on the day, they might have put you on a flight to MEL, to catch LA804 MEL-SCL which departs at 9:40pm. Whatever way , it would be a PITA.

Enjoy the flight and South America

 

[Casso]

Good that you got it changed to the day before. Certainly 1hr 25min its way too tight. Possible for sure if all runs smoithly, but much of the time unlikely.

And the other good reason is, if you had of missed QF27 SYD-SCL, the next flight they could put you on would LA800 SYD-AKL-SCL almost 24 hours later. Departs earlier than QF27 11:10am I think. Or possibly 48 hours for QF27 again, Depending on the day, they might have put you on a flight to MEL, to catch LA804 MEL-SCL which departs at 9:40pm. Whatever way , it would be a PITA.

Enjoy the flight and South America

Thank you Boca68. Cheers.

 

[Denali]

I think someone did mention it but my head has been so full of negotiating Sydney airport to catch our flight that I have thought of not much else in terms of the trip over the past week. Thank you - just had a quick look at SmartTraveller - apparently US $117.

For Sydney airport, theres a free bus that takes you from Dom to Int and if youre staying at the Rydges, just cross the road and use the elevator to go down to the lobby. IF you collect your luggage at Syd domestic, my hint is to also keep a trolley in your room so you have it for the next morning trip to checkin/bag dropoff.

For the Santiago fee, pay by USD or card, I paid cash. Very annoying, we were one of the first out of the plane but then got stuck behind everyone at immigration because we had to find the counter to pay for this.

And if youre going to Easter Island, have USD$ to pay for your parks pass on arrival at the airport (charge to the front of the queue when you get off the plane).

 

[RooFlyer]

I think someone did mention it but my head has been so full of negotiating Sydney airport to catch our flight that I have thought of not much else in terms of the trip over the past week. Thank you - just had a quick look at SmartTraveller - apparently US $117.

That's correct. After arrival at SCL, you go down the escalators to the immigration area, then immediately take a hard left and you will see the 'reciprocity fee' booths. Pay the fee (they take credit cards), then proceed to the immigration counters.

Welcome to AFF - come back with any more queries

 

[Casso]

That's correct. After arrival at SCL, you go down the escalators to the immigration area, then immediately take a hard left and you will see the 'reciprocity fee' booths. Pay the fee (they take credit cards), then proceed to the immigration counters.

Welcome to AFF - come back with any more queries

Thanks for the tip and the welcome, RooFlyer! Cheers.

 

[Casso]

Thanks for the tip and the welcome, RooFlyer! Cheers.

Actually, we haven't anything planned for Chile as we only have a day and a half there before we head to Peru and Macchu Piccu and a day or so before we fly home. There's not time to go up to the desert so we thought maybe a trip to Valparaso (not sure of spelling) and a vineyard tour. Any suggestions?

 

[Casso]

For Sydney airport, theres a free bus that takes you from Dom to Int and if youre staying at the Rydges, just cross the road and use the elevator to go down to the lobby. IF you collect your luggage at Syd domestic, my hint is to also keep a trolley in your room so you have it for the next morning trip to checkin/bag dropoff.

For the Santiago fee, pay by USD or card, I paid cash. Very annoying, we were one of the first out of the plane but then got stuck behind everyone at immigration because we had to find the counter to pay for this.

And if youre going to Easter Island, have USD$ to pay for your parks pass on arrival at the airport (charge to the front of the queue when you get off the plane).

Thanks again Denali for the valuable tips. Sadly no Easter Island on this trip but lots of other good places.

 

[Denali]

RooFlyer would have ideas as he spent much more time there last year, also in April by memory.

Collecting your luggage in SCL is a bit crazy and if youre going to use a taxi to get to town, use the authorized pre-paid taxi counters before you exit the airport.

 

[drron]

Thankfully al right now.customer service is often not a Qantas strong point.
And welcome.Now that you have found AFF stick around,.Amazing what you can learn.
Trip reports can give you lots of tips.We went to Machu Pichu last year.I am into trip reports as are many others.Here's mine.
From Cape to cape. Expeditions by land and sea.

 

[RooFlyer]

Actually, we haven't anything planned for Chile as we only have a day and a half there before we head to Peru and Macchu Piccu and a day or so before we fly home. There's not time to go up to the desert so we thought maybe a trip to Valparaso (not sure of spelling) and a vineyard tour. Any suggestions?

Here is an index of 'Trip Reports' here on AFF in the past 2 or 3 years. They are full of great tips. While I'm at it, here is the airline trip report index - where people 'review' their flights on the various airlines and types of aircraft. Can be handy to prepare for the experience.

Santiago is a nice city for walking around. Look at one of the free city tours mentioned in my own humble TR in the index. As drron said, you will greatly enjoy Machu Picchu - if you go via Cusco read up on altitude sickness issues unless you are heading immediately out of the city for the Sacred Valley (recommended).

Collecting your luggage in SCL is a bit crazy and if youre going to use a taxi to get to town, use the authorized pre-paid taxi counters before you exit the airport.

Great tip. The counters are on the right after you clear customs but before you exit to 'landside'

 

[Casso]

Ch

Thankfully al right now.customer service is often not a Qantas strong point.
And welcome.Now that you have found AFF stick around,.Amazing what you can learn.
Trip reports can give you lots of tips.We went to Machu Pichu last year.I am into trip reports as are many others.Here's mine.
From Cape to cape. Expeditions by land and sea.

Cheers drron, just read up to your upgrade in the hotel (?Hilton) and off to sleep. Envious of first class but chuffed we have managed to land a premium economy flight using my points! Any tips on getting an upgrade?

 

[Casso]

Here is an index of 'Trip Reports' here on AFF in the past 2 or 3 years. They are full of great tips. While I'm at it, here is the airline trip report index - where people 'review' their flights on the various airlines and types of aircraft. Can be handy to prepare for the experience.

Santiago is a nice city for walking around. Look at one of the free city tours mentioned in my own humble TR in the index. As drron said, you will greatly enjoy Machu Picchu - if you go via Cusco read up on altitude sickness issues unless you are heading immediately out of the city for the Sacred Valley (recommended).



Great tip. The counters are on the right after you clear customs but before you exit to 'landside'

Thanks so much - have to rush off now (where has the day gone?) but will check it out later. Cheers, so humbled by all the kindness coming my way!

 

[drron]

If you are on JQ you have to pick up your bags and recheck.
I was flying to LST last year and the first JQ flight MCY-SYD then goes on to LST.I couldn't book it as I would have to pick up my bag in SYD and checkin again.Hence was on VA.

 

[love_the_life]

Ch

Cheers drron, just read up to your upgrade in the hotel (?Hilton) and off to sleep. Envious of first class but chuffed we have managed to land a premium economy flight using my points! Any tips on getting an upgrade?

Last time we were in South America we flew Premium Eco. It was fine! Enjoy MP - it’s an amazing place. If you can manage it a trip one way on the Hiram Bingham train is wonderful.

 

[Deleted member]

Not that I am being much help here. But Mrs GPH and I are at the stage where it’s all too difficult to try and second guess the reliability of airlines. We allow a “minimum “ of 24 hours transit time in situations like this. Yes it’s an extra night in a hotel, and yes it kinda eats into the time away. BUT! We prefer to be ( airport connections) there with time to spare and in a relaxed and unhurried place. (Sydney Security will do their best to stuff you up for you though) good luck with your changes and here’s to a great holiday.

 

[ALH]

Unless you are lucky enough to have a NZ passport

From memory only Australians and Mexicans have to pay for the reciprocity visa

Also, if you want good & easy accomodation for 1 night, the Holiday Inn at SCL is about 50 steps from the terminal door. I dropped my bags off and caught the bus, then train into the city for the day and explored on foot. Stayed there on the way back home again. Upgraded to huge rooms both times.

 

[jxv]

Living in Victoria I have regularly made the QF-QF/LAN connection in SYD to SCL or JNB. On several occasions the international flight was delayed because we had to wait for passengers to arrive from BNE, so I think these tight connections are not as risky as they look. Still stressful though.

The one time I really had to make it on the flight to SCL on that particular date and I stayed over at an airport hotel, l received a phone call in the middle of the night from a LAN agent in Santiago telling me there would be a five hour delay. Sometimes you can’t win!

 

[RooFlyer]

Not that I am being much help here. But Mrs GPH and I are at the stage where it’s all too difficult to try and second guess the reliability of airlines. We allow a “minimum “ of 24 hours transit time in situations like this.

I'm the same - or at least 2 more services after the one that I'm on, and might be cancelled, that will still get me on time to get my critical connection if its the same airline. And then when I arrive, definitely 24 hrs till I need to get on a cruise (usually small boat in my case ) or a tour .

Taking three consecutive flights in Europe shortly and its taking me all day to do it as I don't want to miss any of them, so are spacing them out.

 

[Denali]

To be honest, because I dont trust Sydney airport staff, I would be asking to pick up my bags at Sydney and then check them in the next day.

But thats me.