Santiago Getting Around

Getting Around

Metro - Santiago has one of the best metrosystems in the world, from 6.30 to 22.30 hrs. It is safe, clean and quiet. There are ticket counters staffed during open hours everyday. Tickets are good for a single ride with unlimited transfers, no time limit. $340 CLP. Tickets are slightly more expensive during peak hours. Bus Right now Santiago is changing its bus system, so for as long as the transition lasts there's two buses settings: the new format that's being implemented is called "Transsantiago". Transsantiago buses can be simple or double, they can be identified for a diagonal strip on its side, they come in lots of colours, but with the current implementation, the colour doesn't mean anything. The service in those buses is polite, they only stop at the busstops, and have a limited speed of 60mk/h. They are slow when compared to the other kind of bus. Bus "Micro" travel can be a great adventure. This kind of bus is yellow with white roof. Since the drivers are paid directly from the number of passengers they carry - and since there are no timetables of when buses need to be at stops, there is a constant competition between drivers to get to fares first. The driving can seem wild and frenzied. There also is not an incentive for the drivers to let passengers off at stops that don't have people waiting (no new fares to collect) - so sometimes they will conveniently not hear your request to stop. But overall the buses are cheap, quick (though not as fast as the metro), and exciting. Santiago is currently undergoing a major transformation of it's urban transportation infrastructure. Once the TransSantiago plan is completed, the metro and bus services will be more integrated, with bus and subway tickets working as one. As part of the plan, the 'micros' will be replaced by much larger buses, similar to the largely successful strategies recently implemented in other large South American cities. Standard timetables for buses and bus stops will be created, taking away some of the adventure, but certainly reducing a great deal of confusion for the traveler. Plane Chile has a very good airport infrastructure. The main hub for flights in Chile is the Arturo Merino Benitez Airport in Santiago from where several airlines serve even the remotest corners of the country. These airlines are LAN, Sky Airline and Aerolineas del Sur. When travelling within Chile please consider reserving your tickets before entering the country. It is recommended use flight coupons which can be bought at LAN when you also purchased your flight to Chile with them. These can also be processed online. Unfortunately the other to airlines do not have any internet service available yet and you should consider comparing fares by asking your local travel agency or by phone. Because of the shape of the country, many routes are served with several, time-consuming layovers in between. You might take this into account as you can have up to 4 stops until you reach your destination! (e.g. for a flight from Punta Arenas to Arica: Punta Arenas (PUQ)-Puerto Montt(PMC)-Santiago(SCL)-Antofagasta(ANF)-Iquique(IQQ)-Arica(ARI)) Domestic routes are served by Airbus 319, Airbus 320 and Boeing 737-200's when flying with LAN express and Boeing 737-200's when flying Sky Airline and Aerolineas del Sur. (B737-200s are remarkably older and noisier!)