Santiago, Chile

Getting around Santiago

How to travel around Santiago — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-11

1. Metro de Santiago

Clean, fast and extensive, paid with the Bip! card.

Cost: CLP 700–900
Tip: Fares vary by time of day rather than distance.

2. Uber, Cabify and DiDi

All three operate; DiDi is usually cheapest and Cabify quotes a fixed fare.

3. Airport transfer

Arturo Merino Benítez is about 20km out, with official buses and app pickup from a designated level.

Watch outUnofficial drivers in the arrivals hall offering rides at fixed dollar prices; the official transfer desks are inside.

4. Metro Tren Nos

The commuter rail line running south from Estación Central.

5. Buses to Valparaíso

Frequent coaches from Terminal Alameda and Pajaritos, around ninety minutes.

Cost: CLP 4,000–8,000

Booking apps in Chile

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

Uber

The most widely used ride-hailing service in Chile.

Coverage: Santiago, Valparaíso and the larger regional cities.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Cabify

Spanish operator with a strong Santiago presence and fixed quoted fares.

Coverage: Santiago.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

DiDi

Usually the cheapest of the three.

Coverage: Santiago and regional cities.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Red Movilidad

Santiago's integrated metro and bus system, using the Bip! card.

Coverage: Santiago metropolitan region.