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Valle de la Luna, Chile

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Getting around in Chile

Air: 

There are frequent services between main cities. The southern part of the country relies heavily on air links. Reservations are essential. Flights are operated by LAN Express, a subsidiary of LAN (www.lan.com), and Sky Airline (H2) (www.skyairline.cl), as well as by a number of air taxi companies such as Aerovías Dap (www.aeroviasdap.cl) which flies around the Magallanes region and Antarctica.

There are regular flights with LAN from Santiago to Easter Island (journey time - five hours). Flights fill up quickly so it is essential to book in advance throughout the year. Discounted flights to Easter Island can only be purchased in conjunction with LAN long-haul flights; some round-the-world tickets include Easter Island. An air taxi runs a daily service during the summer months to the Juan Fernández Islands from Valparaíso and Santiago. Sky Airline flies south to Punta Arenas and north to Antofagasta among other routes.

Air passes: 

Visit South America: replaces the old Visit Chile pass. It is available with LAN transatlantic flights, and covers Chile as well as Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Passes must be obtained outside South America and it is advisable to make reservations well in advance. Once purchased, reservations can be changed at no additional cost; but for re-routing, a charge is made for each change.

Departure tax: 

Domestic flights less than 270km cost CH$1,969 as per November 2010, domestic flights more than 270km cost CH$4,992. International flights less than 500km cost CH$4,992 as per November 2010, international flights more than 500km cost US$30.

Side of road: 
Right
Road quality: 

Chile generally has good roads.

The Pan American Highway threads right down most of the country from north to south (a total of 3,455km/2,147 miles) from the Peruvian border to Puerto Montt.

It is advisable in remoter areas to carry plenty of water, spare petrol and an additional spare tyre; tyres should be hard-wearing.

Car hire: 

Drivers must be over 22 years old. Self-drive cars are available at the airport and in major city centres. A 20% tax is added and a credit card is required as guarantee. The Automóvil Club de Chile in Santiago can supply road maps (tel: 600 464 4040 option 6, www.automovilclub.cl).

Taxi: 

Taxis are black with a yellow roof and an orange licence plate. Most should have meters, but, if you can, find out roughly what the fare should be before climbing in. Fares for long journeys should be agreed beforehand. Minicabs may not bear the standard colours but still carry the orange licence plate. Tipping is not expected.

Coach: 

Regulations: 

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and passenger. Smoking, using a mobile phone or a personal music player with headphones is prohibited for the driver. The maximum legal speed limit, unless otherwise stated, is 120kph (75mph) on highways and 70kph (45mph) in urban areas.

Breakdown service: 

24-hour roadside assistance is provided by calling 600 687 1000.

Documentation: 

Passport and an International Driving Permit.

Getting around towns and cities: 

Santiago has an excellent metro (www.metrosantiago.cl), and is South America’s most extensive, and also has bus and shared colectivo (taxis with fixed routes) services, although the modernisation of the city's transport infrastructure seems to have overcome its teething problems. Metro fares increase at peak travelling times; you can buy single tickets or a pre-paid 'Bip!' card, which is more convenient for longer-term stays. The city's bus or micro network is now automated and you need to have the Bip! card (so-called because of the sound it makes when you push it up against the orange machine) to travel. Taxis are plentiful, and can be flagged down in the streets. It is a safe city in general in which to use public transport although usual precautions should be taken.

Rail: 

All tickets are bought from Central Station in Santiago or from the Metro Universidad de Chile. One major rail route heading south to Valparaíso, Viña del Mar and Limache is with Metro Valparaíso (tel: 32-2527 633, www.merval.cl). Terra Sur (www.terrasur.cl) connects Santiago with Rancangua and Curico. Fesub travels to the city of Concepción (tel: (41) 2868 015, www.fesub.cl). There aren’t any major rail services connecting the capital with the north of the country.

By water: 

From Puerto Montt there are various ferry operators - with the main one being Navimag (tel: (65) 432 300; www.navimag.com) - that travel south. The most popular routes are from Puerto Montt to Chacabuco, running inland to the spectacular San Raphael glacier, and between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales. Cargo boat services running from Valparaíso to Robinson Crusoe Island (part of the Juan Fernández Islands) occasionally have cabins available. Enquire in Valparaíso.

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