Chile (CL)

Official taxis in Chile are yellow with a black roof and metered (taxímetro). Base fare ~CLP $350–400, then ~CLP $270–300/km. Airport taxis from SCL (international): CLP $15,000–25,000 to Santiago centre (40–50 min). Always use metered taxis or pre-booked app rides. Radio taxi (radio taxi) companies (Radio Taxi Santiago, etc.) can be called in advance and tend to be reliable. Colectivos (shared fixed-route taxis) are a Chilean institution — fixed price per route, often CLP $600–1,200, very efficient for common urban routes.

Uber, Cabify, and InDriver all operate in Santiago and most major Chilean cities. Uber is the most popular and reliable, with surge pricing during rush hours and rain. InDriver allows price negotiation — sometimes cheaper than Uber but less predictable. Book via app; payment is cashless (credit/debit card linked). Rideshare is significantly cheaper than street taxis for longer distances. Chilean drivers speak Spanish — have your destination address ready to show if needed.

Santiago has a growing CicloVías (cycling infrastructure) network — over 1,000 km of dedicated cycle lanes, particularly in Providencia, Las Condes, Santiago Centro, and Maipú. BikeSantiago (bike share) operates across the city — app-based, hourly rates or monthly passes. Cycling is flat in central Santiago but hilly in cerro-side areas. Helmet not legally required but strongly recommended (road safety concerns). Bike theft is common — use a heavy U-lock in addition to a cable lock. Cycling culture is growing but sharing roads with buses and cars requires caution.

Trenes de Chile operates the only intercity passenger rail network: Santiago (Alameda station) to Chillán (3.5 hours) and Concepción (4.5 hours). Limited frequency (2–4 trains per day). Trains are comfortable and scenic but not the primary choice for most Chileans (buses are more frequent and often faster door-to-door). Tickets at trenes.cl or Alameda station. For longer distances (Temuco, Puerto Montt, Atacama, Patagonia), domestic flights (LATAM, Sky, JetSmart) are the only practical option. Easter Island: LATAM flights from Santiago (SCL–IPC, 5 hours).

Drives on the right. Urban speed limit: 50 km/h (or 60 km/h on autopistas). Rural roads: 80–100 km/h. Motorways (autopistas): 100–120 km/h. Most Santiago urban motorways (Costanera Norte, Vespucio Norte/Sur, Autopista Central) have electronic tolling (TAG — electronic tag) — purchase a TAG transponder at toll plazas or online for convenient pre-paid access. Pay-as-you-go at toll booths also available. Blood alcohol limit: 0.3 g/L (one of the strictest in Latin America). Random breathalyser checkpoints (control policial) common. All vehicles require SOAP insurance and valid revisión técnica. Traffic in Santiago is notorious — rush hours 7:30–9:30am and 6–8:30pm.

Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL / Pudahuel) is Chile's main gateway — Terminal 1 (international) and Terminal 2 (domestic). Metro Line 6 connects to Pajaritos station (then bus to airport terminal, ~45 min total from city centre, cheapest option ~CLP $1,500). Centropuerto express bus: CLP $3,000 to Pajaritos station. Official airport taxis (yellow, metered): CLP $15,000–25,000 to Providencia/Miraflores area. Uber from airport: CLP $8,000–18,000 depending on destination and surge. Major regional airports: PMC (Puerto Montt), CCP (Concepción), IQQ (Iquique), ANF (Antofagasta), ZCO (Temuco), SCE (Easter Island — IPC). Domestic flights essential for Patagonia, Atacama, and island destinations.