Settling In 117about anything you need can be found here and it can be
a fun experience, if you value hands-on experience more
than fancy auto-school titles. You can also take your car to
a modern autocentro or to the dealership, but it is just not
as interesting or cheap.
TRANSPORTATION
Metro
Santiago’s Metro will eventually have five lines, which
explains why the current lines are numbered 1, 2, 4 and
- Line 3 is scheduled to be built later. Line 1 runs directly
across the city from east to west: beginning in Maipú,
passing through downtown, along Providencia up to Las
Condes. Lines 2, 4 and 5 run perpendicular to Line 1 and
serve heavily populated middle-class and lower middle-class
neighbourhoods. Service is efficient, but during rush hour
(8:00–9:30 am and 6:00–7:30 pm) demand exceeds space
and the cars are very crowded. It is best to force your way
to the door before you arrive at your station, as it is not
the custom for those blocking the doors to step off and let
you exit.
Buses
Buses in Chile are called micros and smaller buses are
called liebres (hares). The new Transantiago bus system was
recently introduced in Santiago. This system coordinates
all of the buses with the Metro and utilises electronic fare
payment and smart cards. Most buses are brand new and
environmentally friendly. Transantiago had a rocky start but
should improve with time.
Figuring out which bus you need to take can be somewhat
tricky at first and the ride can be a jolting experience. Signs
are posted in the front window of every bus listing all the
streets on its route. Therefore, the trick is to know major
streets before and after your desired stop. The other option
is to ask the driver if he goes where you are going, which is
a very common practice. (Pasa por x street or landmark?)
Once you become familiar with the geography of Santiago it
will be much easier and you’ll be hopping on and off buses