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Transportation
Compared to the rest of South and Latin America Chile is very developed with a infrastructure that is comparable to western standards, which makes traveling more efficient and safe.
- Subway (called metro) is the pride of Santiago. It is kept very clean and gives good service. It runs everyday until 10:30 pm. Prices vary from 350-450 pesos (depending on hour). Buy a rechargeable card for 1000 pesos and it is a more efficient way of traveling, instead of buying tickets all the time.
- City busses
Called "Micros" are yellow or there is the newer kind. Take you anywhere in the city. However in rush hour take the metro. Fare costs 300 pesos. Read the sign in the chauffeur’s window; there is the route of the bus. Ask the driver if it gets to your street before you get on it. If you want to take the bus you just hold out your hand and the bus stops, when you want to get of you tell the driver to stop. You cannot use the tickets for other rides. There is no understandable system of the busses. The best way is to ask how to get where you need. Requires a basic knowledge of the city Santiago.
- Taxi
Black cars with yellow roofs, has a taximeter, relatively cheap . Sometimes they function as a minibus a so-called “colectivos”. Usually they have more than one passenger and stops by the bus stops. Tipping not expected.
- Radio Taxi
Call them and it takes about 10-20 min to pick you up. This is a cleaner and nicer way of travelling compared to the regular taxis. How ever it costs a little more. Radio taxi “San Lorenzo” phone +56-(0) 2-205 0077.
- Train
If you want to travel outside Santiago (until Temuco) you take the train from Estación
Central (Central Station). The subway stops here.
- National busses
Comfortable, modern buses serve all major cities and intermediate towns, including trips as long as the Arica-Santiago marathon. There are three classes: Salon Cama, Semi-Cama, and Tourist. One of the recommended buss companies is Turbus or Pullman Bus.
Since many rides are long the busses leaves at night and arrives in the morning. The busses have toilets onboard and serve coffee and a cookie for breakfast.
- Flights
In order to save time and have the most comfortable way of traveling flight is the best option. Note that customs regulations are very strict. When you enter or exit Chile it is strongly forbidden to bring fruits, seeds, vegetables or any other natural product (honey).
- LAN Chile is Chile’s national airline and serves all the principal cities; service is first-class and very safe. LAN Chile offers a multiple-flight ticket called the Visit Chile pass. This pass allows visitors to fly to all the country's principal destinations within a period of 21 days, for a single fare.
- Car rentals
Though not cheap, renting a car is a more comfortable option for independent travelers wanting a little more autonomy. In addition to large companies such as Hertz, Budget, and Avis, there are many smaller companies. Speed limit in urban areas is 50 km/h; 120 km/h on highways, unless otherwise indicated. Police controls are frequent and quite strict. There are many car rentals also from the airport try Budget car rentals.
- Bicycles
Two-wheeled travel is excellent in Chile, with roads for all preferences leading to places of breath taking beauty. While bicycling in Santiago, be careful heavy traffic and lack of bike lanes.
- Rent a mobile
Do you need a mobile during your visit? The send an email you’re your request to rentaphone@telefonicamoviles.cl. Movistar will assist you, the largest mobile communications company in Latin America.
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