How to get to Villarrica and Licán Ray

Villarrica sits on the western shore of Villarrica Lake, about 80 km southeast of Temuco (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, May 2024), and Licán Ray, on the north shore of Calafquén Lake, belongs to the municipality of Villarrica (source: Wikipedia). Here is how to reach each one.

By plane

• There are no commercial flights to Villarrica or Licán Ray: the airport to use is La Araucanía (ZCO), in Freire, 25 km south of Temuco, with direct flights from Santiago (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026).
• From the airport to Villarrica it is about 85 km, one and a half to two hours, by bus or rental car (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026).
• From the airport to Licán Ray it is about 90 km, around 1 hour 45 minutes overland, by car, private transfer or local buses (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026).

By bus

• From Santiago: direct buses to Villarrica leave from the Alameda, Sur and San Borja terminals; the trip takes 9 to 11 hours depending on the company. Operators include Pullman Bus, Jet Sur, Cóndor Bus and Turbus (source: Kupos).
• From Temuco: frequent intercity buses link Temuco, Villarrica and Pucón (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, November 2025).
• From Villarrica to Licán Ray: local shared taxis (colectivos) and buses run frequently (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026).
• Timetables and fares: on each company's website or at the terminal, as they change with the season.

By car

• From Temuco: take Route 5 south to Freire, then Route CH-199 to Villarrica, just over an hour (sources: Sernatur, chile.travel, May 2024 and November 2025).
• From Santiago: about 760 km, almost all on Route 5 south; 8 to 9 hours by car, with stops (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026).
• From Villarrica to Licán Ray: on Route S-95-T, which runs along the lake (sources: CONAF; Sernatur, chile.travel). Sernatur gives between 26.5 km (May 2024) and 30 km (January 2026), depending on the starting point.
• From Villarrica to Pucón: 24 km on CH-199 (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, May 2024). From Pucón to Licán Ray it is about 50 km (source: Sernatur, chile.travel).

Once you are there

• Licán Ray's beaches: Playa Grande and Playa Chica, split by a wooded peninsula (source: Sernatur, chile.travel). Page: Licán Ray.
• Villarrica Lake: boat trips from the pier and water sports (source: Sernatur, chile.travel). Page: Villarrica Lake.
• The volcano: since September 4, 2026, Villarrica volcano has been on yellow technical alert and the municipality of Villarrica is under a Senapred preventive early alert; we found no changes as of October 15, 2026 (source: Sernageomin). Check the status before heading up to Villarrica National Park.
• In summer: January and February are busy; book your stay early, and mobile signal can drop outside town (source: Sernatur, chile.travel). More ideas in summer and in the guide How to get to Pucón.

Information reviewed on October 15, 2026. Timetables, fares and road conditions change: confirm with each company and at sernageomin.cl before you travel.