Valparaiso Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips

Valparaiso Transportation

Just 112 km out of Santiago, Valparaiso is a favorite destination for many tourists. Here are some tips for navigating the variety of Valparaíso transportation options, both locally and on a trip to the city.

Taxi

If you are planning a trip into Valparaiso from Santiago de Chile, it is possible to go by taxi. However, this can be an expensive option. Some travelers have paid as much as 126 euros one way. You will ride along the highway for about an hour and half or two hours, and you will get to take in some sights during from the road.

Bus

For those who are coming into the city from Santiago, a fast, public bus service runs from Santiago de Chile to Valparaiso and back. The ride takes about 90 minutes to two hours at a reasonable price that many prefer to the cost of a taxi. You will get a good view of Andes and Veramonte vineyards along the motorway on this trek.

Train

Within Valparaiso, there are two rail options: the Metro and the iconic ascensores.

The Valparaiso Metro has one line that connects Valparaiso and Limache, with several stops along the way. These stops include Viña del Mar, Quilpue, and Villa Alemana. Purchase a Metroval card from a ticket office at a station. You can get one card for multiple people and put enough credit on it to travel to multiple locations and back. Fares vary depending on the length of the journey. You will scan your Metroval card when you enter and exit the station. Trains run approximately every 12 minutes during the day, and some stations have a display showing the time until the next train.

The ascensores are a series of funicular railways that the people of Valparaiso developed as a way to move upward away from the port and into the surrounding hills. These are similar to elevators or cable cars, and the oldest, the Ascensor Concepción, opened in 1883 and runs on steam. It is still in service today. One of the most popular of the ascensores is the Ascensor Artillería because of its excellent views of the port.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about transportation in Valparaiso.