ZCO Airport Car Rental — La Araucania Airport (ZCO)

La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), also called Maquehue, is located 8 km south of Temuco and serves the entire Araucanía region. With as many as 10 rental companies, this is one of southern Chile's best-equipped airports for car rentals, perfect for further trips to Villarrica, Pucón, and Conguillío National Park. The airport is located in the municipality of Padre Las Casas, 8 km from Temuco's center via Route 5 and Avenida Caupolicán.

From here it's 85 km to the volcano city Pucón at Lago Villarrica and 80 km to Conguillío National Park with the active volcano Llaima. Choose an SUV or crossover for excursions to national parks – the roads to Conguillío and Huerquehue can be gravel-surfaced and require high ground clearance. Book a car with full insurance if you plan to drive on rough forest roads.

Fuel up in Temuco before heading out to the more remote nature areas. How far is it from ZCO airport to Pucón? It's approximately 85 km south via Route 5 and then Route 199 along Lago Villarrica, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Do I need four-wheel drive to explore national parks in the Araucanía region? Not always, but for Conguillío National Park and remote mountain roads, an SUV with high ground clearance is strongly recommended, especially in winter. Is it possible to drive from ZCO to the Los Lagos region and leave the car in Osorno?

Yes, many rental companies offer one-way rentals between ZCO and towns like Osorno or Puerto Montt (270 km to the south), but an additional fee applies.

We compare prices from all major providers at La Araucania Airport (ZCO) so you can see the total cost upfront — including insurance, fuel terms and any extras. Most bookings include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, giving you flexibility if your plans change.