Overview
The Santiago Metro is a rapid transit system serving Chile's capital city. It is the second-largest metro system in Latin America and carries around 2.5 million passengers daily. As a visitor, you'll use the metro as your primary method of getting around the city centre and reaching key attractions. The system integrates with buses and commuter trains through a single payment card system, allowing you to plan a journey using multiple transport modes with one transaction. The metro generally operates from early morning (around 6:00–7:30 AM) until 11:00 PM.
The network
The Santiago Metro currently consists of seven lines (numbered 1–6 and 4A), with 143 stations and approximately 149 kilometres of route. Three lines—Lines 1, 2, and 5—pass through the historical centre of Santiago and are most useful for tourists. Lines 4 and 4A primarily serve the eastern part of the city.
- Line 1 (Red): The original line, opened in 1975. It connects the civil district and runs below the Alameda through the historic centre. Key stations for visitors include La Moneda (government palace area), Estación Central (central train station), Los Héroes, and Pajaritos (where airport buses arrive). The line extends to Escuela Militar in Las Condes to the east and Lo Prado to the west.
- Line 2 (Blue): Opened in 1978. It runs in a loop around the civic district and serves both northern and southern areas of Santiago.
- Line 3 (Brown): Serves the northern and northeastern areas, connecting Ñuñoa with the downtown historic core.
- Line 4 (Orange): One of the longest lines, opened in 2005. It runs from Tobalaba to Plaza de Puente Alto and serves the southeastern suburbs (La Reina, Peñalolén, La Florida, Puente Alto).
- Line 4A: A branch service opened in 2006, connecting Line 2 at La Cisterna with Line 4 at Vicuña Mackenna.
- Line 5 (Green): Opened in 1997. It connects Bellas Artes (with museums and cultural attractions), Quinta Normal Park, and Bellavista de la Florida. It provides a connection through the historic centre.
- Line 6: Serves additional areas of the city.
Beyond the metro, Santiago's public transport system includes:
- Buses: The city is served by numerous bus lines operating under the Transantiago system. Buses integrate with the metro through a unified fare payment system.
- Tren Nos (Train): A commuter rail line connecting San Bernardo to Estación Central, integrated into the fare system.
- Metrotren and interregional trains: Longer-distance services depart from Estación Central (on Line 1) to destinations such as Rancagua, Chillán, and other regions, but these are not part of the urban transit system.
Tickets & fares
All fares on Santiago's public transport—metro, buses, and Tren Nos—are paid using a single integrated system. You cannot pay cash on the metro or buses; payment is by card only.
Payment methods and cards
You can pay using a bip! card (a physical reloadable transit card) or, beginning February 2026, contactless bank cards and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard) via the Pago Ágil system at metro turnstiles. The bip! card remains the most universal and recommended option, especially if you plan to use buses, since the integrated transfer system (described below) functions most smoothly with the bip! card.
The bip! card itself costs 1,550 pesos, and you must load a minimum of 1,000 pesos when you buy it. Cards cannot be returned or refunded, so consider carefully how much money you load. However, a single card can be used by multiple people—simply tap it again for each additional passenger.
Where to buy and reload a bip! card
- At any metro station (self-service machines or ticket office). Self-service machines at most stations accept cash only, though the machine at Tobalaba station accepts credit cards. Machines display English-language menus.
- At authorized retail locations and bip! centres throughout the city.
- At the airport: self-service machines are available and accept credit cards with English-language support.
To reload your card, you can pay online via the official bip! website (using Movired or PagoYa), then activate the balance at a metro station machine (minimum 1,000 pesos, maximum 25,000 pesos per transaction). Alternatively, reload directly at metro station machines or ticket offices using cash.
Fare prices (approximate, subject to change)
Fares vary by time of day and mode of transport. Current fares are approximately:
- Low hours (6:00–6:59 AM and 20:45–23:00): Metro or Tren Nos: 710 pesos; bus: 770 pesos; combined metro/bus trip: 770 pesos total.
- Off-peak / "Valle" hours (Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–5:59 PM and 8:00 PM–8:44 PM; all day Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays): Metro or Tren Nos: 790 pesos; bus: 770 pesos; combined trip: 790 pesos total.
- Peak hours (7:00–8:59 AM and 6:00 PM–7:59 PM): Metro or Tren Nos: 870 pesos; bus: 770 pesos; combined trip: 870 pesos total.
- Bus only (any time): 770 pesos.
Special fares are available for students (250 pesos all hours) and seniors aged 65 and over (370 pesos all hours across all modes, or 250 pesos metro-only with a TAM card).
Integrated transfers and validity
When you pay once with your bip! card, you are entitled to unlimited transfers between metro, buses, and Tren Nos within 120 minutes (2 hours) from the start of your journey, provided you travel in the same direction and do not repeat the same bus route. You must tap your card each time you board a new vehicle or train, but generally no additional fare is deducted for the transfer. During peak travel periods, a small deduction may apply when transferring from metro to bus or vice versa. This integrated system makes it economical to combine different modes of transport in a single outing.
From the airport
Santiago's main airport is Aeropuerto Internacional Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez (also known as Pudahuel Airport), located about 15 kilometres northwest of the city centre. Several public transport options serve the airport:
- Red bus line 555: This public bus connects the metro station Pajaritos with the airport's employee parking area. A free shuttle bus runs from the parking area to the terminals. The journey works with your bip! card and counts as a standard metro/bus ride (approximately 770–870 pesos depending on time of day). This is the most economical option if you have a bip! card.
- Centropuerto and Turbus bus services: Two private bus companies operate services from the airport into the city centre. A one-way ticket costs 2,000 pesos. Follow signs to the bus terminal, which is a 5-minute walk from the arrivals hall.
- Taxis: Taxis wait immediately outside the terminal for departing passengers.
- Car rental: All rental car company counters are located together after you clear customs. After obtaining your contract, walk outside, turn left, and walk east, then cross the street south to the rental lot. Note that the airport rental lot is small and congestion is common, so arrive early for returns.
- Shared and private transport: Transvip and WeTransport offer shared and private transport options to and from the airport.
The most practical option for budget-conscious visitors using public transport is to obtain a bip! card and use the Red line 555 bus service to Pajaritos metro station, from where you can travel throughout the city on the metro network.
Etiquette & customs
Santiago's metro system is modern and generally safe, especially on Line 1. However, observe local customs and etiquette to travel respectfully and stay safe:
- Queuing and crowding: Queue orderly when boarding. The metro is extremely crowded during rush hours (approximately 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:00–8:00 PM on weekdays). Expect tightly packed conditions during these times.
- Escalators: Stand on the right side of escalators to allow others to walk on the left side.
- Priority seating: Seats marked or designated for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and people with disabilities should be vacated by other passengers. Respect these designations.
- Eating and drinking: Eating and drinking on the metro is generally discouraged and may be prohibited. Refrain from consuming food or beverages on the trains.
- Theft and valuables: The metro is generally safe, but opportunistic theft can occur in crowded areas. Keep your backpack in front of your body while on the train, avoid displaying valuables, and remain alert in busy stations and during peak hours.
- Card handling: Protect your bip! card as you would a credit card. Do not leave your card unattended, and remember that lost cards cannot be refunded.
Official links
Survival terms
- Metro / Metro de Santiago — the rapid transit subway system
- Tarjeta bip! — the reloadable transit payment card
- Línea — line (e.g., Línea 1)
- Estación — station; Entrada — entrance; Salida — exit
- Transbordo — transfer between lines or modes of transport
- Pasaje sencillo — single fare
- Tarjeta de día — day pass (not a standard product; instead, integrated transfers are available within 120 minutes)
Download the official Red Movilidad app or a transit app before your trip to check real-time service updates and plan journeys, especially during peak hours when delays can occur.