Getting Around Chile
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient metro and buses for Santiago and Valparaiso. Rural: Rent a car for Atacama and Patagonia exploration. Long-Distance: Buses and domestic flights. For convenience, book airport transfers from Santiago to your destination.
Train Travel
EFE National Rail
Limited but scenic train network connecting central cities with occasional services.
Cost: Santiago to Valparaiso CLP 5,000-10,000, journeys 2-3 hours between select routes.
Tickets: Buy via EFE website, app, or station counters. Advance booking recommended.
Peak Times: Avoid weekends and holidays for better availability and prices.
Rail Passes
Tourist passes for scenic routes like the El Loa train in the north for CLP 20,000-50,000 (various ages).
Best For: Short scenic trips over several days, savings for multiple heritage routes.
Where to Buy: Train stations, EFE website, or official app with instant activation.
High-Speed Options
Limited high-speed, but tourist trains connect to border areas near Argentina and Bolivia.
Booking: Reserve seats weeks in advance for best prices, discounts up to 30%.
Main Stations: Santiago Central Station, with connections to regional lines in the north.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring Atacama Desert and Patagonia. Compare rental prices from CLP 25,000-50,000/day at Santiago Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage advised, including for gravel roads in remote areas.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 100 km/h rural, 120 km/h highways.
Tolls: Electronic tags (TAG) required for highways like Ruta 5, CLP 2,000-5,000 per toll.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow Andean passes, roundabouts common.
Parking: Free in rural areas, metered CLP 500-1,000/hour in Santiago.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available at CLP 1,000-1,200/liter for petrol, CLP 900-1,100 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for remote areas.
Traffic: Expect congestion in Santiago during rush hours and on coastal routes.
Urban Transport
Santiago Metro
Extensive network covering the capital, single ticket CLP 800, day pass CLP 2,500, 10-journey card CLP 7,000.
Validation: Use rechargeable Bip! card at turnstiles, inspections common.
Apps: Metro de Santiago app for routes, real-time updates, and mobile top-ups.
Bike Rentals
BiciPubli bike-sharing in Santiago and other cities, CLP 1,000-2,000/day with stations citywide.
Routes: Dedicated cycling paths along the coast and in urban parks.
Tours: Guided cycling tours in Valparaiso and Santiago, blending sightseeing with adventure.
Buses & Local Services
Transantiago (Santiago), local operators in other cities provide comprehensive bus networks.
Tickets: CLP 800-1,200 per ride, use Bip! card or contactless payment.
Colectivos: Shared minibuses for quick urban hops, CLP 700-1,000, flag from street.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near metro stations in cities for easy access, central Santiago or Valparaiso historic areas for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (Dec-Feb) and major festivals like Lollapalooza.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable Patagonia weather.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 5G in cities like Santiago, 4G in most areas including Atacama, spotty in remote Patagonia.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from CLP 4,000 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Entel, Movistar, and Claro offer prepaid SIMs from CLP 5,000-15,000 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, malls, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for CLP 10,000, 10GB for CLP 15,000, unlimited for CLP 25,000/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public squares.
Public Hotspots: Major bus terminals and tourist areas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally fast (20-100 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Chile Standard Time (CLT), UTC-4, daylight saving Sept-May (CLST, UTC-3); note Easter Island is UTC-6.
- Airport Transfers: Santiago Airport (SCL) 20km from city center, metro/bus CLP 1,500 (45 min), taxi CLP 25,000, or book private transfer for CLP 20,000-40,000.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals (CLP 3,000-5,000/day) and dedicated services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Modern metro and buses accessible, many natural sites have limited access due to terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses (small free, large CLP 5,000), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on buses off-peak for CLP 2,000, folding bikes free anytime.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Chile
Santiago Airport (SCL) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Santiago (SCL): Primary international gateway, 20km west of city center with metro connections.
Puerto Montt (PMC): Southern hub for Patagonia, 10km from town, bus to center CLP 2,000 (20 min).
Calama (CJC): Key for Atacama, small airport with domestic flights, taxi to San Pedro CLP 15,000.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (Dec-Feb) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Buenos Aires and taking bus to Chile for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSmart serve domestic routes with connections across Chile.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to remote areas when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee CLP 3,000-5,000, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express less common in smaller establishments.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay widely used, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most places.
- Cash: Still needed for markets, small vendors, and rural areas, keep CLP 20,000-50,000 in small denominations.
- Tipping: 10% common in restaurants (not always included), round up for taxis and services.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.