Chile stretches 4,300 km along South America's Pacific coast, offering stunning diversity from the Atacama Desert in the north to Patagonian glaciers in the south. Experience world-class wine regions, vibrant cities like Santiago and Valparaíso, and breathtaking natural wonders including Torres del Paine National Park.
- Public
- Santiago has South America's finest metro system — 7 lines, 140 km, clean, safe, and affordable. Regional cities rely on buses. Rural areas have limited public transport.
- Taxi
- Official metered taxis (black with yellow roof) are reliable; rideshare apps Uber, Cabify, DiDi are cheaper and preferred for visitors.
- Rental
- Excellent for Atacama, Lake District, and Patagonia where public transport is sparse. Major international companies at SCL airport; 4WD recommended for Patagonian roads.
- Walking
- Santiago's financial and tourist districts are walkable. Historic centre, Lastarria, Bellavista, and Barrio Italia are pedestrian-friendly. Hills of Valparaíso require good footwear.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Uber/Cabify: $15-20 USD to city center (25-40 min)
- Shuttle
- Official taxi: $25-30 USD (metered)
- Bus
- Centropuerto shuttle bus: $8-10 USD to Pajaritos metro
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
{'availability': 'Extensive networks in all cities', 'cost': 'Santiago: $0.70-1.00 USD with Bip! card. Regional cities: $0.50-1.00 USD', 'notes': "Santiago's Transantiago system integrates with metro. Buses in smaller cities are cash-only. Watch for pickpockets during rush hour."}
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $2.00 USD
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Cost: Santiago-Valparaíso: $7-12 USD (1.5 hrs). Santiago-San Pedro de Atacama: $60-90 USD (24 hrs). Santiago-Puerto Montt: $45-70 USD (12 hrs)
Flights
Routes: LATAM and Sky Airline serve all major cities
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport
From centre: 15 km west of Santiago
Options: Uber/Cabify: $15-20 USD to city center (25-40 min); Official taxi: $25-30 USD (metered); Centropuerto shuttle bus: $8-10 USD to Pajaritos metro; TurBus to Los Héroes: $3 USD (45-60 min); Car rental: Available from all major companies
Mataveri International Airport
From centre: 2 km from Hanga Roa, Easter Island
Options: Hotel pickup: Usually included in accommodation; Taxi: $5-8 USD to Hanga Roa (5 min); Walking possible to some hotels (20-30 min)
El Loa Airport
From centre: 5 km from Calama (gateway to San Pedro de Atacama)
Options: Taxi to Calama: $8-10 USD (10 min); Shared shuttle to San Pedro: $12-15 USD per person (1.5 hours); Private transfer: $60-80 USD to San Pedro; Car rental: Available at airport
Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport
From centre: 20 km from Punta Arenas
Options: Taxi: $15-20 USD to city (20 min); Shared shuttle: $8-10 USD per person; Bus to Puerto Natales: $10-15 USD (3 hours); Car rental: Available at airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bip! App
Official Santiago metro card management app — check balance, reload remotely, and view metro line maps and real-time train information
Uber
Most widely used rideshare app in Chile; available in Santiago, Valparaíso, Concepción, and major cities. Cheaper and safer than street taxis for visitors.
Cabify
Premium rideshare alternative to Uber with professional licensed drivers; slightly pricier but preferred for airport transfers and business travel
DiDi
Chinese-owned rideshare app with competitive pricing in Santiago; growing user base and often cheaper than Uber for short urban trips
Recorrido.cl
Essential app and website for booking long-distance bus tickets across Chile — compare prices from TurBus, Pullman, Cruz del Sur, and all major companies in one place
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Bip! card (rechargeable smart card) immediately upon arrival in Santiago — it's required for the metro and city buses, saves money over single tickets, and is available from any metro station for CLP 1,590.
Use Uber or Cabify for airport transfers and late-night travel rather than street-hailing taxis — apps show the fare before you board and payment is cashless.
Long-distance bus travel in Chile is excellent value — luxury 'cama' sleeper buses with fully reclining seats, meals, and entertainment make overnight journeys comfortable on routes like Santiago to Puerto Montt (12 hours).
Book domestic flights to remote destinations (Easter Island, Punta Arenas) 2-3 months ahead — routes are limited and prices spike dramatically close to travel dates.
The Santiago metro closes around 11 PM on weekdays and 11:30 PM on weekends — plan return journeys from nightlife areas to avoid expensive late-night rideshares.
Patagonian roads are largely unpaved gravel (ripio) — rent a 4WD vehicle for the Carretera Austral and Torres del Paine, and ensure your rental car rental agreement covers flat tires.