Santiago Travel Forum

We are docking at 8:00 a.m. Apr. 12 and leave 8:30 p.m. from SCL airport to Miami, Fl. I understand the Valparaiso port to airport in Santiago is 180 miles, thats a long taxi ride, costly; the cruise line so far has not provided a bus, nor a tour that includes a ride to the airport. Anybody have any suggestions, or idea how to get contact with shuttle service or mode of transportation. I don't want to be there and hi-jacked money-wise by a taxi and know we are desperate to get to airport and charges an enormous fee. (It has happened before). Any help appreciated much - thanks, deede2

Check first that your package doesn't include an airport transfer. If it doesn't (and from the number of times his question is asked, most don't) you have the option of taking a taxi - expensive - at least $100US - or using public transport - very cheap and efficient. As you will have your luggage with you from the ship you might find it easier to go to the airport first and leave your luggage there in the left luggage office. There are no buses directly from Valparaiso to the airport but if you go to nearby Vina del Mar buses go from there to the airport at regular intervals. There is an excellent metro service between Valparaiso and Vina del Mar with a station near the port or you could take a taxi.

You may be able to check in early, otherwise you can leave your luggage in Left Luggage, you then have several options, depending on how confident you are in strange cities.

The Traveller's Aid Office at the airport can usually arrange tours for people with a few hours in the city - if there are others there, the cost is shared.

Otherwise, take a taxi or a bus back in to Santiago. The bus will drop you right in the centre of the city on the main thoroughfare - the Alamada - giving you time to have a look around, have a meal, etc, before you have to return to the airport. Santiago's an easy city to walk around with several of the main sights in close proximity.

You can also take a combination of bus and metro back into the centre if you the bus back to Pajaritos (all the buses stop there) and then take the metro to the centre - get off at La Moneda (also on the Alameda and it's a direct line). This will save you quite a bit of time as you will avoid the inevitable snarls of Santiago traffic by going underground.

Personally, I'd leave my luggage at the bus station at Vina del Mar, check on the bus timetables to the airport, and then hop on the train back to Valparaiso and spend my time there as I love the city. If you do the same, take Ascensore Concepcion up to Cafe Turri for a a lunch overlooking the harbour.


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if you'll not find any bus straight to airport at the time you want, by bus, don't go to Santiago, the airport is on the way, there is a bus stop where there is also taxi stand and drivers waiting for people coming from bus, it's a shot ride, very cheap. I did so, anyway ask before you buy (like I did) if the bus will stop.
*I believe this stop is also done also by buses from Valparaiso*

There are loads of buses from the main Valparaiso bus station [at least every 30 minutes] to Santiago downtown if you got a cab from the ship. You buy your ticket before you get on the bus and they allocate you a seat. It is very efficient. I think the journey took about 2 hours and cost about $5US from Valparaiso to Santiago . It really is very easy. From Santiago bus station a taxi to the airport will be approx 20 US. . The bus service in Chile is excellent and people are very helpful. There may be a direct shuttle service from Valparaiso but I don't know about this . Chile is not typical of South America however be careful with your luggage at Valparaiso bus station as it is surprisingly chaotic for Chile and there are a lot of touts and other less savoury characters hanging around so just be alert.

of course the taxi stand where the bus stops is very close to airport.

You can get any bus from Valparaiso or Viña to Santiago, get off on the outskirts of the city at Pajaritos metro station where you can either get a taxi to the airport or one of the airport buses.
LAN airlines has a shuttle for their passengers which leaves from a central location in Viña del Mar at least a couple of times a day. It is only for LAN passengers. Regular buses do not go to the airport.
When you arrive at the port terminal after docking, there will be help desks to offer different modes of transport to Santiago or the airport. You will have the opportunity to find people to share with as well. Any form of transport offered in the terminal will be approved and vetted by the local tourist authority and the prices will be fixed. Outside the terminal you are on your own.