Chile: Transportation

Air

Chile has very frequent flights from most countries in the world, all international flights go to Santiago's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez Airport in Pudahuel about 23 KM. from the city center. Most larger cities (over 150,000 population) have daily air service.

Santiago Airport

We get lot of questions about this. The domestic ariport is 200 meters from the International. Really the same airport with different terminals. Oddly there is no airport hotel! So the nearest is in Santiago 30 minutes to 1 hour from the airport depending on time of day.

Airport Tranfers

For as little as $14.00 US per person you can take a safe, clean, new, professionally driven Delfos shuttle bus from the airport to your hotel. Delfos also has direct service from the airport to the Santiago ski areas and the costal area of Vina Del Mar. The fares are guaranteed so why hassle with a taxi driver over fares!

Cabs &Taxis

Taxis in town are fairly cheap. In Santiago if you pay much over $5US to go anywhere you probably took a VERY scenic route. If you see the same statue twice that should give you a clue! By law they are all supposed to equipped with meters. Quality of the cars varies from escapees from demolition derbies to nice modern cars. Two cautions: make sure the meter is running and started at the base (about 220 pesos) and you have small change. Tipping taxis is not customary but appreciated.

Subway

Called the METRO, it is clean, effecient and safe. It is a great and very inexpensive way to get around Santiago.
Train: There is a train system that links Santiago and the rest of the country. It is both cheap and reliable. It isn't an Orient Express but it isn't full of goats and chickens either.

Roads

The Panamericana, also called route 5, goes almost the entire length of the country with helpful Carabinero (police) stations about every 5 feet. It is divided from Santiago to about 400 miles South. It is in very good condition generally with numerous gas stations (Texaco, Mobil, Copec) and they have usually the dreaded quick stops for Cokes, sandwiches etc. A car trip through much of Chile is both practical and enjoyable. There are also lots of pretty good quality motels along major roads that also can add to the fun of a car trip. You can drive with a valid foreign driver's license. Note that wearing of seat belts in Chile is mandatory, and in any case a darn good idea anywhere. Hertz has 17 locations throughout the country and provides good quality vehicles at good rates. As a plus they have 24 hour emergency service and even vehicles specially equipped for all sorts of terrain.

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