Travel Guide

Santiago Chile Travel Guide

By Brandon B.June 13, 2023

Santiago Chile Travel Guide Overview

Santiago is the capital of Chile and holds one third of the whole country’s population. There are tons of must-see attractions, and you can get to them by metro. See the museums, parks, and mountains. Santiago is a fantastic city, and we hope this Santiago travel guide helps you plan the best things to see and do, gives you travel tips, and more.

Santiago Chile Travel Guide: How to Get There

By car

You can reach Santiago by car from any country in South America. Although it would be a rather long drive from most other countries,

By plane

You can reach Santiago by plane from practically any major airport in the world. When you get to the International Airport Comodoro Arturo Merino Bentez in Santiago, you can get to the city by taxi, van, or bus. Taxis will cost around 19,000 CLP ($27) from the airport to the city center. You can take a bus with either one of these companies: TurBus or Centropuerto.

By bus

If you are traveling from another city in South America and you want to take a bus, which is quite popular with budget travelers, then you are in luck because there are multiple carriers that have service to Chile. I would check Rome2Rio for pricing and routes.

Santiago Chile Travel Guide: Travel Tips

Skiing and snowboarding in Santiago: Valle Nevado, Farellones, and El Colorado are a few of the great ski areas in the city. Valle Nevado is one of the largest locations. It has a ski resort, three hotels, apartments, and many places to practice skiing. Lift passes can cost around 34,000 CLP.

Do take the bus or train. The public transport in Chile is very efficient and much cheaper than taking a taxi. If you can’t reach your destination by walking, then take the bus.

Don’t haggle. In Santiago, haggling is not common at all. If you find something overpriced, just move around and find another place to buy it. Choose places with already-set prices.

Drink some wine! The Santiago area has some great wines, and you should try them all! Just kidding, but seriously, there are some great wines down here.

Do visit the museums. There are many museums in the city, such as the National History Museum, the Science and Technology Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, and the Children’s Museum. All of them are located near Quinta Normal Park. There are also the Memory Museum (Museo de la Memoria), Museu Interativo Mirador, and Casa Museu La Chascona.

Don’t trust every taxi driver. Taking a taxi in Santiago is a safe way to travel in the city, but as a tourist, you must be sure that the driver isn’t overcharging you. Be cautious and see if they have a license and if they turn the meter on.

Santiago Chile Travel Guide: Typical Costs

Hotel Price Points

Prices for accommodation in Santiago range from 6,000 CLP for hostels to 25,000 CLP for budget hotels. Good options are The Aubrey Hotel Boutique, close to the Cerro San Cristóbal and Patio Bellavista, Rado Hostel, and Antigo Caeser. Santiago is probably the only place where you can stay at a Ritz-Carlton for a little over $200 USD a night as well!

Cost of a meal

Santiago has a variety of great places to eat. You can find a range of Eat and Drinks, bars, and markets. Food will cost around 7,500 CLP for a meal in a good Eat and Drink. Some good food places to check out are Galindo (Recoleta), Central Market, Mulato Cocina de Mercado (Lastarria), Bocanáriz Vinobar (Lastarria), De Pablo a Violeta (Recoleta), Emporio la Rosa, and shopping in the Patio Bellavista (Providencia).

Cost of transportation
Transportation in Santiago is quite cheap, and you can go almost everywhere on one metro line or by walking. One bus ticket costs around 480 CLP. Uber and taxis are also pretty affordable.

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FAQ

How many days do you need in Santiago?

Two to three days is enough to cover Santiago's main sights, and four lets you add a day trip. The guide's top spots, including Sky Costanera, San Cristóbal Hill, Cerro Santa Lucía and the museums near Quinta Normal Park, are reachable by metro. Add extra time if you want wine tasting or skiing.

Is Santiago expensive?

Santiago is generally affordable for a capital city, and getting around is especially cheap. The guide notes buses, Uber and taxis are affordable, and lodging runs from hostels to budget hotels to luxury options like a Ritz-Carlton. Prices change, so confirm current rates before you book.

Is Santiago safe for tourists?

Santiago is generally safe for tourists if you take normal big-city precautions. Watch your belongings in crowds and on public transport. The guide says taxis are a safe way to travel, though you should check the driver has a license and turns the meter on to avoid overcharging. Check current government travel advice before you go.

Do you need a car in Santiago?

No, you do not need a car in Santiago. The guide says public transport is efficient and much cheaper than a taxi, and you can reach most attractions by metro, bus or on foot. A car only makes sense if you plan to drive to ski areas or wine country on your own schedule.

When is the best time to visit Santiago?

The best time depends on your plans: winter, roughly June to September, suits skiing, while the milder shoulder seasons suit sightseeing and wine. Chile is in the Southern Hemisphere, so seasons are the reverse of Europe and North America. Valle Nevado, Farellones and El Colorado are the nearby ski areas the guide mentions; check current snow conditions before booking.

Do people speak English in Santiago?

Some people do, mainly in hotels and tourist-focused businesses, but Spanish is the everyday language. Learning basic Spanish phrases helps in taxis, markets and local restaurants. Keep a translation app handy, and do not expect English everywhere, especially in markets and smaller places. Confirm with your hotel if you need English-speaking help.

Is it worth taking a day trip from Santiago?

Yes, day trips from Santiago are worthwhile, especially for skiing or wine. The guide names Valle Nevado, Farellones and El Colorado for skiing and says the Santiago area has great wines. Check transport options, tour availability and seasonal conditions in advance, since prices change.