Which means of transport to use Chile?

From the airport to the city centre Chile

From France, only one airport handles international flights: you'll land at Santiago's Arturo-Merino-Benítez airport after a 14-hour flight. Most airlines stop over in Madrid. Air France, however, offers direct flights between Santiago and Paris. Please note that price variations depend on the airline used, but above all on the booking deadline. To get the best rates, it's essential to book well in advance.

Once you'veset foot on terra firma, there are a number of options for getting to the capital's city center. Shuttles, buses, cabs and VTCs (such as Uber) offer fast, efficient transfers in under 45 minutes. You can take the bus (TurBus for example, a serious company offering regular departures), which will charge you $1,800 (around 2 euros). Departures are every 10 minutes. It's best to get off at the Pajaritos stop, close to the main tourist attractions. For transfers, all you have to do is give the address of your hotel and you'll be dropped off at the front door. The TransVip company is particularly fast and efficient, and costs $7,000 (8 euros). Finally, depending on the area where you're staying, cabs will charge between $20,000 and $28,000 (or between 23 and 32 euros).

Arrival by train Chile

Those nostalgic for the railroads will be disappointed in Chile: there are very few rails, and those that are in operation are used exclusively to transport goods.

Arrival by boat Chile

You're likely to find yourself on a few boats in Chile, particularly in the southern part of the country (although a few companies offer sea excursions along the entire length of the Chilean coastline). There are many ports in the Lake District, and ferries are particularly well-suited to the region's layout. If you've come this far, there's a good chance you'll take a ferry to the island of Chiloé (30 minutes away). Numerous boats also leave from Puerto Montt, plying the Chilean Inland Sea and serving Hornopirén or Caleta Gonzalo. Some excursions, true tourist cruises, even allow you to reach Puerto Natales, in the very south of the country, in three magical nights sailing between the fjords!

Several shipping companies share the territory. Catamaranes del Sur is responsible for excursions in the Laguna San Rafael National Park. Naviera Austral operates around the lakes and Aysen, while Transmarchilay, Navimag and Transbordadora Austral Broom (TABSA) operate between the mainland and Chiloé, as well as to the far south of the country. Crucero Australis also travels the fjords between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia (Argentina) on a luxury cruise, stopping off at Cape Horn.

Public transport Chile

If you're a fan of train travel, ideal for daydreaming and landscape contemplation, you should know that Chile is not (or at least no longer!) the land of locomotives! Instead, Chile operates a huge national and international bus network. There are countless local, regional and national bus companies. Direct, fast and punctual, buses work very well in Chile. The companies even offer different levels of comfort: "semi-cama", half-berth, or "cama", sleeper. Opt for the "cama" option if you're traveling at night: you'll sleep very well. For example, you can leave Santiago at 10 p.m. and arrive in Pucón at 7 a.m. the next day: fast, economical and comfortable. Don't forget to bring something to cover up, as air conditioning is often cranked up to the max.

In the major cities, local bus companies run regular routes alongside the colectivos, or city buses. Some cities, such as Santiago and Valparaiso, have their own subways. Santiago has seven metro lines, while Valparaiso has just one line serving 20 stations.

Bike, scooters & co Chile

For $1,990 a day (€2.30), you can take advantage of self-service bicycles from the private company Bike Santiago. The company provides 3,500 bicycles and 350 parking lots in the capital.

With a driver Chile

Cabs. In Santiago, Valparaiso, Puerto Montt and Iquique, you'll easily find cabs that can provide transfers or even offer day tours. Of course, the deeper you go into the countryside, the fewer drivers you'll find - and it's worth pointing out that they'd go out of business if they had to rely on the number of fares! The basic fare is 300 pesos for the first 200 meters, then 130 pesos for each further 200 meters.

As far as VTC applications are concerned, Uber is not officially authorized in Chile. Rides are often run discreetly, but you can order easily in the major cities and pay online or in cash.

By car Chile

By rental car. A rental car is an excellent choice for visiting a region or organizing your own excursion: you don't have to rent for the whole duration of your stay, but rather choose one part of the country rather than another so that you can enjoy a leisurely stroll. But if you're here for several weeks, or even months, then your four-wheeled machine will be ideal for exploring the most remote corners of the country, especially Chilean Patagonia, which is harder to get to by public transport. We advise you to arrive in Santiago de Chile, take a plane to Puerto Montt (or an overnight bus to Pucón) and explore from there: you'll find campervans, cars, 4x4s... Your destination: Punta Arenas, where you can return your vehicle at an extra charge. If you cross the border into Argentina, insurance papers are compulsory (the car rental company must give them to you). On your return to Chile, be sure to empty your vehicle of all "high-risk foods", i.e. fruit, vegetables, animal products (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products), etc.

As faras formalities are concerned, you don't need an international driver's license; you can simply take your national license with you. Apart from the fact that you must be over 21 years of age, there's nothing too complicated on the road: the Highway Code is pretty much the same as in Europe. In town, the speed limit is 50 km/h, and on the freeway 100 km/h. Don't forget to wear your seatbelt: in Argentina and Chile, wearing a seatbelt is compulsory - that's no laughing matter! Fines are expensive, and so is your life... Small details that are also important: traffic lights are located after the crossroads. Low-beam headlights are compulsory outside towns, even during the day, and the right-of-way rule is rather ambivalent: in general, it's the law of the jungle! Finally, make sure you never run out of fuel: the further you go from the cities, especially in the south, the fewer service stations you'll find. Our advice: when in doubt, refuel as soon as you get close to a filling station.

With your own vehicle. Some long-haul travellers prefer to take their time: what could be better than buying a van or a car to make the most of their trip? Be aware, however, that the formalities can be a real headache. In Chile, a 2016 law prohibits all non-resident foreigners from leaving the country with their own vehicle. However, many travelers bypass this law by obtaining the "Declaracion Jurada": an affidavit where you confirm in writing and before a person authorized by law that you intend to bring the vehicle back within 6 months. However, some customs officers seem to know little about the law, and a veritable lottery is organized at border crossings: to avoid any problems, prefer to make an appointment with a notary, who will make a sworn declaration.

Accessibility Chile

Equipped with elevators, Santiago's metro allows passengers with reduced mobility to easily reach the platforms. In addition, the Red buses (the capital's public buses) have access ramps and spaces reserved for wheelchairs.

Tourist traps Chile

Police checks are frequent, and beware: they can be unpredictable. Benevolent, indulgent, scrupulous or even charming (yes, yes), the control is completely random, depending on who you run into! Some police officers are content to do their job, while others take advantage of their authority. In fact, some try to take advantage of tourists to get bribes, and are sure to give you an unjustified fine. There is no such thing as a fine payable on the spot (the authorities issue a receipt in the event of an offence so that you can pay later at a police station or bank), so it's a scam if anyone tries to make you believe otherwise! In this case, remain calm and polite, and try to contact your embassy or consulate.