Santiago’s International Airport; Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport also known as Nuevo Pudahuel is located 10 miles northwest of the city center. 

Buses, taxis, and rental cars are available at the airport. 

Two public bus lines connect to the city center from the airport; TurBus and Centropuerto Bus. Centropuerto buses connect to the Los Heroes station and depart every 10 minutes during the week and every 15 minutes on the weekends. Turbus has a similar service connecting to the Alameda terminal. They both stop at the Pajaritos metro station/bus terminal. 

There are two official taxi companies recommended at the airport; TransVip, and Taxi Oficial. The companies both have service desks just past the baggage claim area. Taxi fares can be high and cost between CLP20,000-30,000 for a trip from the airport to downtown. Uber is also available at the airport and can be cheaper than a taxi. 

There are car rental companies available and the journey to the city center is relatively short (10 miles). 

Santiago offers an extensive transportation system to navigate large distances in the city. Public transportation in the city includes buses and the subway/metro system. The city center features an extensive network of streets and avenues that crisscross the city and facilitate travel between different neighborhoods that make up the metropolitan area. 

The main comprehensive public transportation system is Red (formerly known as Transantiago). It features integrating local feeder bus lines, main bus lines, EFE commuter trains, and the metro network. This system has an integrated fare system allowing passengers to transfer between bus, metro, and train services using a single, contactless smartcard known as “Bip”. Visitors can obtain a “Bip” card at kiosks inside the subway stations with cash. The initial cost is CLP1,550, which is valid for the first two hours of travel.

The subway/metro is a fast, efficient, inexpensive, and reliable way to travel between barrios in Santiago. The metro system is clean, convenient, and easily accessible with lines that service the top attractions in the city. There are six lines that cover over 93 miles connecting 143 stations from 6:00 am until 11:00 pm Monday through Friday, 6:30 am until 11:00 pm on Saturdays, and 8:00 am until 11:00 pm on Sundays and holidays. Single tickets (which include bus fare for interconnected stations) cost around 700-800 Chilean pesos and can cost more during rush hour (7-9 am and 6-8 pm). 

There is a large network of modern green and white buses in Santiago. Feeder buses are different colors and operate in different areas of the city, connecting with the green and white buses on major routes and at metro stations. There are several bus stops and bus terminals spread throughout the city. Bus stops are indicated by a bench or overhang. Bus numbers are displayed on the top of the bus. Fares are paid for with a “Bip” card. Buses can be unreliable and rarely arrive at the same time as advertised and do not stop at every station as they should.  

Trains in Santiago are operated by Chile’s national railway company, Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE). Trains connect the city of Santiago to Chillan and several other cities along the way (10 stops). The Estacion Central railway station (Alameda) is the main station in the city. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Almeda office and the cost is around CLP7,000-24,000 depending on the season, length of journey, and type of carriage. 

It is not necessary to rent a car when staying in Santiago due to the abundance of public transportation options. The traffic in the city can be hectic and heavy and parking is very limited and can be expensive. There are rental car companies available at the airport and locations around the city, but renting a car is only necessary if you plan to venture beyond the city. 

Taxis are very prevalent in the city of Santiago, taxi cabs feature black exteriors and yellow roofs with orange license plates. Taxis are convenient and affordable to get around the city, you can hail a cab from the street, or call to order one over the phone. Taxis are metered and start around CLP400 increasing by CLP150 per 1/10 of a mile. 

Cabiy, Uber, and DiDiare available ride-sharing companies/apps in Santiago. This is sometimes an easier, and more reliable way to travel via taxi. 

There are certain places in the city where you can get around to different things on foot. The city is large and you can walk around the city center to reach different places like shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and sightseeing attractions. The downtown city’s extensive network of streets is laid out in a grid-like formation. You can walk around tourist and commercial neighborhoods on foot. 

There have been a growing number of bicycle paths implemented in the city of Santiago since the turn of the millennium. There has been over USD 398 million put into installing over 434 miles of bike paths throughout the city by 2032. Many of these bicycle paths will be concentrated in and around Estacion Central, Santiago Centro, and Providencia. The recent boom in bike paths across the city currently run from Las Condes to Maipu making it significantly easier to get to most places in the city via a bike path and some side streets. A few popular locations to ride a bike in Santiago are San Cristobal Hill and Bike Park El Duranzno. 

Santiago is considered a very safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years crimes against tourists are becoming more common with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night and don’t walk outside the main center of town, the city has experienced an increase in crime in recent years. 

The capital city of Santiago boasts a bevy of shopping opportunities spread throughout the city and various neighborhoods. The large metropolis is a shopper's delight with large shopping malls, outlet malls, open-air shopping centers, department stores, duty-free shops, districts, streets, and neighborhoods to choose from. 

Some of the chicest shopping areas in the city where shopaholics can find upscale shopping include the Vitacura Barrio which is home to the wide avenues of  Avenida Alonso de Cordova and Nueva Costanera Santiago’s equivalent to New York’s Fifth Avenue. Both of these famed avenues are lined with luxury design stores, and designer boutiques with famous local and international designers such as Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes. Avenida Providencia is another popular shopping district that runs through the popular neighborhood of the same name. The avenue here features smaller unique, local boutiques, the avenue changes to Avenida Apoquindo in the Las Condes neighborhood where the Las Condes mall is located. 

The sleek open-air Casa Costanera Center is the tallest building in South America and the biggest shopping mall in South America. It's a must-visit for any serious shopper visiting the city, it has everything from supermarkets to restaurants, a movie theater, clothing stores, beauty stores, and a gym. The mall features over 300 stores that include international brands and local boutiques, it boasts an observation deck on the 62nd floor offering breathtaking views over the city. The upscale Parque Arauco is popular for high-end fashion and fine dining opportunities. It's home to over 350 stores and an excellent variety of gourmet restaurants and cafes as well as a cinema and theater which hosts live music and cultural events. The Easton Outlet Mall and La Florida Patio Outlet are two popular places to shop for local and international items and designer labels with huge discounts. 

Spanish is the official language of Chile. You will most likely find English speakers in Santiago, the Lake District, Patagonia, and other tourist-centered enclaves across the country. There is not a high percentage of English speakers in Chile, but if you are to find someone who does speak English, they are most likely younger and/or work in the service industry. Take some time to learn key phrases in Spanish, like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it? Where is the bathroom? And numbers from 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Habla inglés`

Santiago lies in the Chilean heartland and features a cool semi-arid climate with moderate temperatures like the Mediterranean. The summers (October to March) are warm and dry with daily temperatures that can reach up to 95 F degrees on the hottest days, and cool winters (April to September) with average daily temperatures around 57 F. The city has a temperate climate and can be visited all year round. If you are visiting for the region’s famous skiing opportunities then wintertime is your best bet. If you are visiting the surrounding central wine regions and want to attend a wine festival then the autumn months of March and April are the best time to visit. Santiago sits in the coastal mountain range at a high altitude meaning temperatures can change drastically from day to night.  What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Santiago is the Chilean Peso. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Argentine pesos upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

The streets of Santiago are filled with a diverse culinary scene, the capital city offers food lovers a wide variety of both traditional and local cuisine. The country’s varied, unique geography as well as its climate lead to significant differences in unique, regional cuisines. Santiago is considered a foodies paradise, home to talented chefs at excellent restaurants dishing up mouthwatering delicacies. The cuisine in the capital city is as eclectic as its many barrios (neighborhoods), with many of them mixing local Chilean classics along with Peruvian and Japanese influences. Many restaurants across the city are dishing up tasty meals packed with delicious Peruvian flavors, especially in the bohemian barrio of Bellavista. Diners will find some excellent upmarket meal options in the Providencia and Vitacura barrios where restaurants are serving authentic dishes like caldillo de congrio (fish stew with tomatoes and potatoes), and ceviche using fresh bass and scallops. Locally sourced fresh ingredients are used to make Chilean specialties such as machas a la parmesana (razor clams layered with cheese, white wine, and lemon juice), along with seafood stews using freshly caught fish from the Pacific. Other classic popular dishes include Empanadas which are typically filled with meat, cheese, or seafood and then baked or fried. Completo is a Chilean-style hot dog loaded with toppings like sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, pebre (spicy salsa), and generously adorned with mayonnaise. Pastel de Choclo is a traditional hearty casserole dish made with ground corn, seasoned meat, onions, and olives, then topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche. 

The Chilean capital of Santiago boasts an attractive, lively nightlife scene reflecting the country’s vibrant drinking culture. A great variety of evening entertainment and experiences can be found in Santiago’s colorful barrios at restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. There are options to spend an evening at the theatre, comedy clubs, jazz bars, blues bars, cigar bars, and gay bars. The city’s exciting nightlife does not get started until later with most bar's prime drinking time being 9-10 pm, and clubs that are just getting started at 1 am. Bellavista is one of the most popular nightlife districts in the city, a hip and happening epicenter filled with shops, cafes, art galleries, hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs. This trendy, colorful neighborhood is nestled between the Mapocho River and Mount San Cristobal, it was originally home to the city’s wealthy population. Vitacura is a more upscale neighborhood loaded with fancy restaurants, sophisticated lounges, bars, and exclusive clubs. The Brasil neighborhood boasts a multicultural atmosphere, with a vibrant, energetic nightlife with live music, dancing, and a wide variety of bars and clubs. Lastarria offers a sophisticated nightlife scene with elegant restaurants, and upscale bars amid gorgeous architecture and cobblestone streets. The Italia neighborhood has a vintage charm home to intimate bars and pubs, live music venues, and craft breweries. The Nunoa neighborhood is filled with many charming cafes and rock ‘n’ roll bars where Louis Armstrong and Herbie Hancock once played at Club de Jazz de Santiago established in 1943. 

In case of an emergency dial 911 or 107

Hospital:

Hospital San Borja Arriaran tel. 56-2-2574-9000

University of Chile Clinical Hospital tel. 56-2-2978-8000