Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Chile, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States:

• Right-hand turns are prohibited at red lights unless otherwise posted.
• Major highways in and around Santiago collect tolls through the use of an electronic transmitter (available at www.concesiones.cl).
• Secondary and mountain roads may be poorly maintained, poorly lit, and may lack guardrails.
• Some primary roads to remote tourist attractions are not paved, but are well maintained, with graded gravel.
• Many drivers do not signal lane changes and rarely yield to merging traffic.
• Many drivers exceed posted speed limits, do not maintain safe distances, and do not observe posted road signs.
• Major arteries in Santiago may switch directions during morning and evening rush hours.
• Drivers must carry sufficient Chilean pesos to pay frequent highway tolls.

Chile has modern infrastructure. Taxis and public transportation are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Avoid using unmetered taxis; if you do use an unmetered taxi, agree to a fare before embarking. To use the public bus system in Santiago you need to obtain the prepaid “Bip” card. This card can also be used when traveling on the Santiago subway.

Driving under the influence of alcohol in Chile is severely punished (“Zero Tolerance” policy) and can result in incarceration.

Visitors for fewer than 90 days can rent a car and drive with a valid U.S. license, though insurance may not be available in some forms for drivers without a Chilean or international driver’s license. Visitors in Chile for longer than 90 days must have a valid Chilean driver’s license.The police may fine foreigners for driving without a valid driver’s license.

Please refer to our Road Safety page and the website of Chile's national tourist office (Spanish only) for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Chile's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Chile's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.