Easter Island Airport Transfer (IPC)

Mataveri International Airport (IATA: IPC) on Easter Island is one of the remotest commercial airports in the world — 3,760 kilometres west of the Chilean mainland and 4,200 kilometres east of Tahiti. LATAM operates the single daily SCL-IPC flight (roughly 5 hours 30 minutes west from Santiago) and a weekly Tahiti connection. IPC sits at the edge of Hanga Roa, the island's only town; the runway actually uses the town's main street alignment, and all hotels on the island are within 15 minutes of the airport by car. Transfers inside the island are short; full-day driver-guide hires for the moai archaeological circuit are the main booking category. A LocalsRide arrangement pairs you with a Rapa Nui local driver who holds National Park permits.

IPC Transfer Times

Hanga Roa town centre hotels (Explora, Hare Noi, Hotel Rapa Nui): 2 km, 5–10 min. Hanga Roa harbour and Caleta Hanga Roa: 2 km, 5–10 min. Rano Kau volcano rim: 4 km, 15 min drive plus walk. Orongo ceremonial village: 4 km, 15 min. Anakena Beach: 20 km, 30 min. Ahu Tongariki (15 restored moai): 18 km, 30–40 min. Ranu Raraku quarry: 17 km, 30–40 min. Te Pito Kura and Papa Vaka: 15–20 km, 35–45 min.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a National Park permit for a driver to take me to the moai sites?

Yes — the Rapa Nui National Park ticket (around USD 80 at the time of writing, purchased at the CONAF office in Hanga Roa or online) is required to visit any of the main moai sites. Drivers cannot stop at Rano Raraku, Tongariki, Orongo or Anakena without the passenger holding a valid ticket. Your hotel can often arrange the ticket on arrival. LocalsRide drivers with Rapa Nui home-island operator licences know the access rules and will confirm ticket presence before starting the circuit.

Can I do the full moai circuit in one day-hire from IPC?

Yes — a standard full-day private driver hire from Hanga Roa covers the main east-island circuit: Ahu Tongariki (15 restored moai) at sunrise, Ranu Raraku quarry mid-morning, Anakena Beach for lunch, Te Pito Kura and Papa Vaka on the return. A separate half-day hire handles the south-west cluster: Orongo ceremonial village on Rano Kau volcano, and Ahu Vinapu near the airport. Most visitors stay 3 nights minimum and split the itinerary across two days.