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Travel - Internal
AIR: There are frequent services to main towns. The southern part of the country relies heavily on air links. Reservations are essential. Internal passenger air services are operated by the domestic subsidary of LAN-Chile, LADECO, as well as by a number of air taxi companies. Services connecting the main towns are frequent during weekdays, and are fairly regular. There are one-month ‘Visit Chile’ tickets available from LADECO and LAN-Chile cover the north and the south of the country. Air passes sold in conjunction with LAN transatlantic flights cost US$250 for the first three coupons and US$60 per additional coupon (up to a maximum of six). When travelling long haul with another airline the costs are US$350 and US$80 per additional coupon. Passes must be obtained abroad 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 of US$30 is made for each change. There are regular flights by LADECO from Santiago to Easter Island, which stop at the island en route to Tahiti. The flights are twice-weekly from November to February, once-weekly at other times; it is essential to book in advance throughout the year. The flight takes five hours. Discounted flights to Easter Island can only be purchased in conjunction with LAN long-haul flights. An air taxi runs a daily service during the summer months to the Juan Fernández Islands from Valparaíso and Santiago.
Departure tax: US$18 (or peso equivalent). For distances under 500km, the departure tax is US$8 (or peso equivalent).
SEA: Coastal passenger shipping lines are unreliable and infrequent. Boat services run from Valparaíso to Easter Island and Robinson Crusoe Island (part of the Juan Fernández Islands) once a month. Contact local travel agents on arrival for details.
RAIL: The state railway runs between Santiago and Temuco. Services are limited by the geography of the country, but there is one daily train each way at 2000, each way with sleeping and restaurant cars, and some air-conditioned accommodation. Principal trains also carry vehicles. Children under 1.20m in height travel free. Train fares are from £10-53. For details contact SERNATUR (see Contact Addresses section).
ROAD: Chile has about 80,000km (49,460 miles) of good roads. The Pan American Highway crosses the country from north to south (a total of 3455km or 2147 miles) from the Peruvian border to Puerto Montt. It is advisable in remoter areas to carry spare petrol and an additional spare tyre. Tyres should be hard-wearing. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Intercity buses are cheap and reliable. There is a luxury north–south service running most of the length of the country. Most long-distance coaches have toilets and serve food and drink. Sometimes a lower fare can be negotiated. For details, contact SERNATUR (see Contact Addresses section). Taxi: Most have meters, but for long journeys fares should be agreed beforehand. A surcharge of 50 per cent applies on Sundays after 2100. Taxis in Santiago are black and yellow. Tipping is not expected. Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport and in major city centres. They are hired on a daily basis plus a mileage charge and 20 per cent tax. A large guarantee deposit is often required. The Automóvil Club de Chile, Avenida Vitacura 8620, Santiago can supply road maps (tel: (2) 431 1000). Documentation: An International or Inter-American Driving Permit is necessary.
URBAN: Santiago has two metro lines, as well as bus, minibus and shared ‘Taxibus’ services. A third metro line is under construction. Flat fares are charged on the metro, although there are plans to introduce distance-related fares. Ten-journey tickets (carnets) are available. Taxis are plentiful, the number approaching one per 100 inhabitants, an extremely high figure. They can be flagged down in the streets. The different tariffs are displayed in the taxis. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. The buses and minibuses have flat fares. There is a higher rate for shared taxis. There are bus and taxi services in most other towns.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times from Santiago (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Chile.
| Air | Road | Rail | | Arica | 2.40 | 28.00 | - | | Concepción | 1.30 | 9.00 | 7.00 | | Portillo | 2.30 | - | - | | Puerto Montt | 1.45 | 11.00 | 17.00 | | Punta Arenas | 3.25 | 120.00 | - | | Viña del Mar | - | 2.00 | - | | Easter Island | 5.00 | - | - |
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