AIR
Chile has very frequent flights
from most countries in the world, all international flights go
to Santiago's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez Airport in Pudahuel
about 23 KM. from the city center. Most larger cities (over 150,000
population) have daily air service.
SANTIAGO AIRPORT
 We
get lot of questions about this. The domestic airport is 200 meters
from the International. Really the same airport with different
terminals. Oddly there is no airport hotel! So the nearest is
in Santiago 30 minutes to 1 hour from the airport depending on
time of day.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
For as little as $14.00 US
per person you can take a safe, clean, new, professionally driven
Delfos shuttle bus from the airport to your hotel. Delfos also
has direct service from the airport to the Santiago ski areas
and the costal area of Vina Del Mar. The fares are guaranteed
so why hassle with a taxi driver over fares!
CABS & TAXIS
Taxis in town are fairly cheap.
In Santiago if you pay much over $5US to go anywhere you probably
took a VERY scenic route. If you see the same statue twice that
should give you a clue! By law they are all supposed to equipped
with meters. Quality of the cars varies from escapees from demolition
derbies to nice modern cars. Two cautions: make sure the meter
is running and started at the base (about 220 pesos) and you have
small change. Tipping taxis is not customary but appreciated.
SUBWAY
 Called
the METRO, it is clean, efficient and safe. It is a great and
very inexpensive way to get around Santiago.
TRAIN
There is a train system that
links Santiago and the rest of the country. It is both cheap and
reliable. It isn't an Orient Express but it isn't full of goats
and chickens either.
ROADS
 The
Panamericana, also called route 5, goes almost the entire length
of the country with helpful Carabinero (police) stations about
every 5 feet. It is divided from Santiago to about 400 miles South.
It is in very good condition generally with numerous gas stations
(Texaco, Mobil, Copec) and they have usually the dreaded quick
stops for Cokes, sandwiches etc. A car trip through much of Chile
is both practical and enjoyable. There are also lots of pretty
good quality motels along major roads that also can add to the
fun of a car trip. You can drive with a valid foreign driver's
license. Note that wearing of seat belts in Chile is mandatory,
and in any case a darn good idea anywhere. Hertz has 17 locations
throughout the country and provides good quality vehicles at good
rates. As a plus they have 24 hour emergency service and even
vehicles specially equipped for all sorts of terrain.
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