Cheap Flights to South America from the UK
Best student & youth fares right now to South America
Check out best fares right now from major UK airports to South America, and keep in mind these deals are updated daily, so check back if you need to!
Student flights from the UK to South America
South America is full to the brim with phenomenal natural wonders, entrancing archaeological sites and incredible cities. It’s the latter you’ll see first when flying in, whether you’re landing in Argentina’s Buenos Aires, aka the steak capital of the world, Peru’s Lima, Chile’s Santiago, or Brazil’s Rio De Janeiro. All are packed with unique attractions and things to do, and all serve as jumping off points for additional adventures deeper inside their respective countries.
Lima, for example, is most people’s entry point into Peru, but the main reason for many people who visit is to hike the world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Similarly, if you want to see Bolivia’s vast salt flats, you’ll need to hop on a flight to its capital, La Paz, first. Some cities are reason enough to visit in their own right: take Rio, for example, surrounded with jaw-dropping scenery and boasting seriously epic beaches.
Whatever your reason for wanting to visit South America, StudentUniverse can get you there for less. Our unique partnerships with major airlines that connect the UK with this amazing continent mean we can offer exclusive discounts and deals, so get searching today!
What are the main South America airport hubs?
The major cities of the various countries in South America double as the continent’s main air transport hubs, with notable examples being Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro in Brazil, Bogota in Colombia, Santiago in Chile, Lima in Peru, Caracas in Venezuela and Buenos Aires in Argentina. Keep in mind that you can fly in one hub and out another, so for example if it's an overland adventure you’re after, you could enter the continent via Bogota and exit it via Buenos Aires.
How to fly from the UK to South America
The UK is well connected to hubs in South America, with frequent direct flights going from places like London to destinations all over the continent. Airlines including British Airways, the UK’s flagship carrier, fly direct from London to cities including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil, Lima in Peru, Bogota in Colombia, and Buenos Aires in Argentina.
When is the best time to fly to South America?
South America is a huge continent with a vast topographical range, and therefore the exact weather and climate will depend on specifically which part you want to visit. Generally speaking, you’ll probably want to avoid the rainy season, which occurs from January to March.
Keep in mind that most of the continent is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means the seasons are the opposite to what they are in countries like the US and the UK - e.g. spring in South America is September-November. The parts nearest the equator are understandably the warmest year round, while the parts much further south - like Patagonia, on the southern tip - will get extremely cold during winter (June-August), which is good news for skiers.
When is the cheapest time to book a flight from the UK to South America?
Prices based on bookings made 30-60 days prior to departure.
Why do British students love visiting South America?
While South America isn’t quite up there yet in popularity with the likes of North America, Asia and Europe when it comes to international study placements, it’s quickly gaining traction as a great place for this kind of experience. Placements are available at universities in all the major cities, including Sao Paulo, Rio, Buenos Aires and Bogota. And if it’s pure leisure you’re after, this is an excellent continent for the cash-strapped student, with a much lower cost of living than Europe and North America.
South America universities and campuses
Some of the world’s best universities can be found in South America. One of the top choices is Brazil’s University of Sao Paulo, which often comes top in various ranking tables, and which offers hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Others include the University of Desarrollo and Diego Portales University in Chile, and Pontificia Javeriana University in Colombia.
South America lifestyle and culture
South America is a mishmash of cultures, having been colonised by European explorers in the Middle Ages. Most South Americans speak Portuguese or Spanish, or both, but English is also widely understood. The people love to dance, with the main cultural export in this sense being salsa, and you’re never too far from a street party.
Exploring South America on a student budget
South America has some brilliant attractions that can be enjoyed on a student budget, and this extends to getting around and accommodation, too. Bus travel is a good option for getting around in-destination, and if you book overnight sleepers, you can save on a night’s accommodation. How much money you’ll need a day will depend on the country - Bolivia is generally the cheapest (you can get by on about $20 per day) and Brazil and Chile are more expensive, requiring about $45 per day.
Frequently asked questions about flying from the UK to South America
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