The best ways to get around downtown Santiago are by metro, bus or taxi cab.  

The city has a modern, rubber-tired subway ( metro ) system that operates on most days from 6:30am to 10:30pm. (On Sundays and holidays the service starts at 8:00am.)  It is relatively simple to get around by the metro; directions are shown clearly on the platforms.  At this time, there are five lines totaling approximately 35 miles. The city plans to expand the metro system so that by 2009, there will be more than 65 miles of track and 108 stations.  Single fares vary and depend on the time of day.  During rush hours (7:15am – 9:00am and 6:00pm – 7:30pm), it costs approximately 460 pesos; during other times the cost is around 370 pesos.

Santiago’s privately-run bus system is extensive, but may be a bit confusing for foreign visitors. These buses (called micros ) are yellow in color for easy identification...and they are everywhere!  Identify the route by the two boroughs that are displayed above the bus’s windshield; the most convenient place to catch the bus downtown is the Alameda.  Micros cost about 290 pesos per trip.   Metrobuses are operated by the Metro system.  They operate between the Metro stations to boroughs that are not serviced by the subway.  Metrobuses are less expensive and operate less frequently than micros.    

Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed on the streets.  There are three types of taxi services: normal taxis, radio taxis and colectivos.  Normal taxis are black in color with yellow roofs.  They circulate throughout the city and can be hailed from the street.  Radio taxis are contacted by telephone for pick up and take passengers door to door.  Radio taxis offer fast service and are more inexpensive than normal taxis for longer trips.

The most economical taxi services are the colectivos , which carry up to five passengers on fixed routes.  Colectivos work like buses (since they follow fixed routes and pick up passengers along the way), but are more expensive. A colectivo can be hailed anywhere along the Alameda or at the Plaza Italia (Metro Station Baquedano) and in front of La Moneda (Metro Station La Moneda).