Santiago has a fairly efficient public transportation system capable of handling its large and active population. The city’s subway is efficient, reasonably priced and can get you where you need to go in style. International visitors to Santiago will fly into Arturo Benitez International Airport, located about 12 miles northeast of the city centre.

Santiago’s airport is serviced by the Chilean national carrier Lan, as well as many of the major international airlines. American and Delta are the two main carriers providing direct flights from the US and Canada. Air France flies non-stop from Paris and Iberia Airways flies direct from Madrid.

The airport’s relatively new terminal has a good selection of restaurants and shops as well as ATMs and a currency exchange booth. An information desk is located in the Arrivals area of the terminal. Telephone: +56 2 690 1900

Transportation to and from the airport includes a selection of bus and taxi services. Two bus companies offer cheap and convenient services to the city centre every day from 06:00 until 22:30. Tour Express runs buses to the Alameda bus terminal and other downtown destinations, departing every 30 minutes from the airport. Centro Puerto operates buses to the downtown Los Heroes bus terminal, departing every 10 minutes. Private minibus operators such as TransCity and TransVip provide door to door service throughout the city. Minibus tickets can be purchased at a kiosk in the airport. Unfortunately, there is no Metro link to the airport.

Official taxis are blue and can be found outside of both terminals on the ground floor. Taxis can be reserved at the reservation desk inside the Arrivals hall. Although they are a bit more expensive than the minibus, a taxi is much faster. Many hotels in the city offer a private pickup for a small fee, so check with your hotel when you arrive. Car hire companies have their offices in the Arrivals hall of both terminals.

Public transport in Santiago is quite affordable but offers only three choices: the bus, taxis and the Metro. City buses, or micros, are extremely confusing and probably not worth the effort. There are no posted bus routes, so the buses compete with each other at every corner to get fares on board. The buses themselves are old and dirty and the drivers consistently unfriendly. You may enjoy the chaos of an uncertain journey on the micros once, but this will no doubt wear thin very quickly.

The Metro, in stark contrast, is an excellent way to get around Santiago. It is inexpensive, comfortable and safe. The system runs Monday through Saturday from 06:30 to 22:30 and Sundays from 08:00 to 22:30. There are three Metro lines, which can get you almost everywhere you want to go. Each station has a clear map of the adjoining streets and stations. You buy your tickets at the booth or by machine in each station.

Taxis are easy to hail on the street and are metered. They can be identified by their black and yellow colours. Radio-dispatched taxis are slightly more expensive but will pick you up at your hotel. In general, the fares are reasonable and drivers don’t expect to be tipped.