※ We usually take the cheapest buses possible, so please read this as advice from budget backpackers.

First: Safety Tips

Long-distance buses in South America are incredibly useful, but basic safety awareness is very important. We personally didn’t experience any major problems, but we were always extra careful.

Things we always did:

• Keep bags close to you instead of putting them in the overhead compartment
• Lock bags whenever possible
• On night buses, hide valuables like passports, wallets, and phones under your clothes or close to your body
• When checking luggage underneath the bus, make sure it is actually loaded
• Don’t completely let your guard down while sleeping

Most travelers never experience any problems. But at the same time: “Careless travelers are easier targets.” So honestly, being slightly paranoid is probably the right balance.

Buying Bus Tickets at the Terminal Is Often Better

In South America, buying tickets directly at the bus terminal is often cheaper than booking online. And the most important thing: Always compare multiple bus companies. The price differences can be shocking.

We’ve seen cases where: same route, same day, same departure time… but prices differed by almost 50 USD.

Even stranger: different counters of the same company sometimes have different prices. At one terminal, the south-side counter and east-side counter gave us different prices for the exact same bus.

South America really rewards people who walk around and compare prices in person.

Bus Travel in Chile

Overall, Chile was very comfortable.
We took a roughly 10-hour bus from Punta Arenas, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina.

The bus included:

– Sandwich snack　　
– Toilet breaks
– USB charging
– Starlink internet

Honestly, it was pretty great.

Crossing the border was also straightforward as long as you followed the bus company’s instructions. Chile is probably one of the easier countries for first-time South America travelers.

And one underrated thing: bus terminal toilets are usually free. That’s surprisingly rare in South America.

Important Food Restrictions at the Chile–Argentina Border

When crossing between Chile and Argentina, certain foods may not be allowed, including:

– Fruits
– Vegetables
– Meat products
– Ham
– Cheese
– All animal-derived food products (including honey)

Chile is especially strict about this.

There are often baggage inspections and declaration checks on buses, so be careful when buying snacks before crossing the border. If you accidentally carry restricted food, it may be confiscated on the spot.

Bus Travel in Argentina

Argentina was also generally very good.
Many buses had:

– Starlink internet
– USB charging

which made long journeys much easier.

However… toilet breaks are basically nonexistent!! 14 hours. 18 hours. No stops.

There is usually a toilet onboard, but no toilet paper and no running water is extremely common. So I highly recommend bringing water, food, toilet paper (baby wipes are useful).

Also, some luggage staff may ask for tips when loading bags underneath the bus, so carrying small cash is useful.

Border crossings are usually easy if you simply follow the bus company’s instructions.

And thankfully: bus terminal toilets are often free in Argentina too.

Bus Travel in Bolivia

This is where South America suddenly feels very… South American.

First: no Starlink, USB chargers may or may not exist, and even if they exist, they may not work.

And the biggest issue: basically no toilet breaks. Yes, there’s usually a toilet onboard, but it’s mostly only available on night buses.

So definitely bring water, food, and toilet paper (baby wipes recommended).

The Scariest Part…

Buses Sometimes Leave BEFORE Departure Time!!

This genuinely happens. We once arrived at the terminal 30 minutes before departure… and the bus was already leaving. We literally had to run after it.

And Bolivian drivers often don’t check whether all passengers are onboard. They will simply leave. Seriously. Seeing passengers banging on closed bus doors and shouting at the driver’s window is honestly pretty common.

At this point, it almost feels like part of the culture. So in Bolivia: arriving 1 hour early is the safest strategy.

There’s Also a “Bus Tax”

In Bolivia, there is sometimes a small terminal tax separate from the bus ticket, usually around 2 BOB. Sometimes you pay onboard, sometimes at the terminal.

The problem is the lines can be ridiculously long. And sometimes you cannot board without paying first.

I Don’t Recommend Booking Online in Bolivia

A couple we met booked online and already paid… but when they arrived at the terminal, the bus literally did not exist. They ended up buying completely new tickets at the station.

So at least for now: buying in person feels much safer in Bolivia.

Bolivia Bus Terminal Toilets

Usually paid, around 1–2 BOB. Toilet paper is often provided though.

One important thing: large bills may be rejected. Small change is very useful.

Finally: Altitude + Mountain Roads

Bolivian buses often involve 4000m+ altitude, mountain roads, and sharp curves. Motion sickness is very possible. And if you already feel bad from the altitude… it can become brutal.

So if you’re sensitive to motion sickness, bring motion sickness medicine, water, and snacks.

Final Thoughts

Very roughly speaking:

Chile → Comfortable
Argentina → Comfortable but no breaks
Bolivia → Less predictable, so stay cautious.

But honestly… that unpredictability is also part of what makes backpacking in South America so memorable. So enjoy, and have a safe bus trip!