Bus Travel

Buses are relatively efficient and clean, although very crowded at peak times. Fares on the subway and buses are paid using the same prepaid smart card (most easily acquired in subway stations), called a BIP (say: BEEP). The BIP card (la tarjeta bip!) itself costs 1,550 pesos. You can also buy single-use tickets for the metro, but not for the bus. Fares vary from 610 to 740 pesos, depending on the time of day, and transfers taken (one free transfer from bus to bus; one paid transfer from bus to metro within 120 minutes). At night, most tourists stick to the subway for simplicity’s sake; however, if you do not have enough money on your BIP card, you can use the bus at night in an emergency by showing your BIP card.

Bus Depots

Terminal Alameda. La Alameda 3750, Estación Central, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 9160000. 2/2822–7500.

Terminal Los Héroes. Tucapel Jiménez 21, Santiago Centro, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 8320000. 2/2420–0009.

Terminal San Borja. San Borja 184, Estación Central, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 9160000. 2/2776–0645; www.terminaldebuses.com/terminales-de-buses.

Terminal Santiago. La Alameda 3850, Estación Central, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 9160000. 2/2376–1750.

Bus Lines

Transantiago. Moneda 975, 4th fl., Santiago Centro, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 8320000. 800/730–073; 600/730–0073; www.transantiago.cl.

Turbus. Martínez 800, Estación Central, Estación Central, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 9160030. 600/660–6600; 2/2822–7500; www.turbus.cl.