Driving in Chile

Renting a car and driving in Chile is, generally speaking, easy and convenient. Santiago streets are well organized with street signs, but, like in any big city, driving during rush hours can be stressful. Drivers normally drive fast although traffic rules are respected, especially the STOP and YIELD signs, as well as pedestrian crossings. Urban buses, called "Micros" are a menace, try to avoid close contact with them, they are easily spotted, as they are painted yellow and white.

You should always carry your driver’s license and vehicle registration, since police check frequently. Most countries driver’s licenses are honored by car rentals and police controls, although strictly speaking an international license is required.

A seat belt is mandatory for the driver and companion. Just as it is the use of special seats for children under four years, traveling in light vehicles. Those who must travel in the back seat. Smoking, using a cellular phone or a Walkman is prohibited for the driver. Chilean policemen (Carabineros de Chile) will schedule an appointment for you to speak with the local Judge in case of an infraction and the driver’s license is always taken. Carabineros are always polite and comprehensive especially with foreigners.

Driving under the effects of alcohol is a severe offense. You could be fined or arrested depending on the level of alcohol intoxication. Speeding is also punishable. The maximum speed, unless otherwise stated, is 120 km/h (75 mph) on highways and 70 km/h (45 mph) in urban areas.

There are many agencies that rent cars on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They generally require the driver to be over 21 years of age, have a valid national or foreign driving license, and a major credit card as a guarantee. Check our Car Rental section.

Taxis

Many taxis are available at any time and are distinguished as black sedans with yellow tops. All of them have their registration number visible and a taximeter. Taxi drivers are mostly kind and honest. Smoking is forbidden inside public vehicles.

Taxis count on a taximeter that starts off in $200 pesos by the first 800 meters, and soon marks between $70 and $90 each 200 meters or 60 seconds of delay. The taxis must indicate in its windshield if they receive $70, $80 or $90.

The Metro

The Santiago subway or Metro is a model of cleanliness and good service. It is fast, secure and inexpensive. The metro network has five interconnected lines:

Red line (Line 1) West to East, crossing Downtown.
(Follows Ave. B. O’Higgins, Ave. Providencia and Ave. Apoquindo)

Yellow line (Line 2) Downtown to Southwest.
(Follows Gran Avenida)

Dark Blue line (Line 4) East to Southeast.
(Follows Ave Tobalaba and Ave. Américo Vespucio)

Light Blue line (Line 4A) East to Southwest.
(Follows Ave. Américo Vespucio)

Green line (Line 5) Downtown to Southwest.
(Follows Ave. Vicuña Mackenna)

It is in service from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays and from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM on Sundays and Holidays.

The metro ticket fare changes according to a specific schedule: From 6:30 AM - 7:15 AM; 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM the ticket fare is considered "Reduced" and therefore cheaper since the schedule revolves around a less traveled time of day. Peak hours are between 7:15 AM - 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM, resulting in a more expensive fare when traveling at these times.

There are different types of metro tickets along with varying fares:

Saturday, Sunday and holidays the Valley rate will be applied corresponding to the hour block. Integrated rates operates in a lapse of 120 minutes from the beginning of the first trip, allowing a maximum of three transfers. When making combination Troncal+Metro or Local+Metro during the Rush hour is an additional cost of $40
The Multivía Card is the cheapest way to travel by subway, with it you can travel 20 pesos cheaper than the effective rate in any of the schedule services and by each 20 trips taken you get one free with your next card recharge. You can buy your Multivía card in all the subway ticket offices.

January 1st of 2007 the Bip! Card started operating in Transantiago buses and the subway network under the conditions established in www.tarjetabip.cl. Since that date the Multivía Card it only continues operating according to the terms and conditions established for the Bip! Card.

• Card price $1.100
• Minimum charge $800

The benefit for the third age will stay effective only in the subway network, Valley hour and with a maximum limit of two daily trips. This benefit is conditional to the bearing of the respective third age credential and runs only for Chileans.

Ticket sale and card charge

• Monday to Friday: 23:00 hours
• Saturdays, Sundays and holiday: 22:30 hours

- Higher charges must be of $500 multiples starting at$1000.
- Card + minimum charge: $1900

Urban Buses (Transantiago)

The new metropolitan transportation system called Transantiago joins together the interurban buses (“micros”) and the subway system. The different Transantiago zones are marked by colored borders, with each zone having its own letter. Colors and letters also mark each bus to identify its corresponding zone.
When you plan to take a bus, you should know the color and / or the letter of the zone where the bus starts and the color and / or letter of the zone of destination. By planning you transportation, you should have no problems during the trip.
There is a special bus interurban bus line, marked by green and white, with only numbers. These “Troncal Buses” are for connecting bus routes between different zones, as well as connecting bus routes with the subway system.
Another important change brought about with the application of Transantiago was the end of using cash to pay the fare. To move among the zones that use the Transantiago System, you need to bring the Bip! Card already mentioned. These are for travelling on the subway as well as the Transantiago System.
The value of the passage of Transantiago System is the same value for Metro reduced rate, which operates in the so-called Valley hour. Unlike Metro, the Transantiago System have single tariff throughout schedule. Today (2007) the value is $ 380.

Interurban buses

There are several companies that provide service to every city in Chile. Schedules are honored and service is good. Check out our Ground Transportation section.

Interurban bus stations in Santiago:

Trains

The 'Sistema Estatal de Ferrocarriles' (EFE) or State-Owned Railway System runs only from Santiago to the south of the country, passing through Rancagua, Talca, Chillán and Concepción as the last stop. Trains feature different types of coaches for various kinds of necessities; this means of transportation is comfortable and economical; however, problems with the tracks or trains occur frequently, making trips longer than usual.
On the other hand, there is a 'Metro train' system, traveling from Santiago to Rancagua, making stops at most of the towns between them. It is fairly efficient, and its coaches are similar to those of the subway.