Just wandering if you need to have return tickets when crossing the borders in South American countries
We are flying to Rio in october and have a return ticket booked for January but we are pretty sure that we won't use that tickets because it might be cheaper to fly back home from Mexico or USA rather than flying back to Rio. Also we want to extend the day of return and are thinking that we might not change the date of return if we'll possibly fly from other destination...We are just a bit worried if we don't need return flight tickets when crossing borders between the countries in South America. Our itinerary is Brazil - Argentina - Chile - Bolivia - Peru - Ecuador - Central America - Mexico. The only time that we want to fly is between Ecuador and Panama.
Reply to this i dont think you will have any problems with that.
i thaught the same and was never asked for any such thing, though im only accounting for south america minus brasil & venezuela.
there are very little restrictions for EU citizens, USA citizens have more complications , apparently with brasil and bolivia.
anyway no harm to email the embassy in the country your arriving into to see what they say.
as for bus travel from one country to another.. its normally a very simple "stamp the passport" affair
happy travelz
Reply to this I remember hearing that you require proof of onward travel and adequate funds for your trip before I went to south america last year. As a precaution I kept a recent printout out my bank balance and booked my homeward flight from Argentina (I started in Ecuador).
It was a total waste of time. I was not checked at any border crossing at all and I hadn't heard of anybody being checked for either pieces of information either.
Reply to this Hello Katarina 😊
You probably officially need to have tickets to leave Brazil, but the immigration of most/all countries rarely ask to see the leaving ticket. I think they are getting used to overland travellers these days.
Make sure the airline is OK with it though. Some of them dont want to let people on the flight, unless they have a return ticket.
Mel
Reply to this Although immigration officials seldom check, airlines do. They can deny you boarding if you do not have proof of return or further travel out of your first destination. Chile, as far as I know, is the only exception. You can usually solve the problem by showing a bus booked to your next stop or by booking a fully refundable flight which you then cancel. Since you have a return ticket
Reply to this I don think there's gonna be any problems in that, but it will be good if you can inform the embassy in advance.
Reply to this I dont think the embassy will be interested in this. They will just tell you to obey the laws of the country you are visiting, which would mean they would tell you to have a return ticket if that is the requirement.
Reply to this If you are going to call anyone, call the airline you are travelling with and ask. Embassies have nothing to do with it.
Reply to this Hey Kiwi, if you change your itinerary and decide to fly here into Colombia via Bogota, you are generally asked for your return flight ticket at immigration plus your accommodation address, although the address is never checked your return flight out will be. However you'll get an automatic 60 or 90 day visa, thats from an Expat Brit perspective, not sure of US or NZ, as I know the US have their own issues, check your consulate here to be safe. Being stuck or holed up at El Dorado airport is not the best place to be. Hope it helps.
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