Santiago to Valparaiso

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Valparaíso is Chile's most characterful city — a UNESCO-listed port of painted hills, trolleybuses and street art — and it sits just 120 kilometres from Santiago. You have two good public-transport options: the suburban Merval commuter rail and the frequent Turbus coach. Both are affordable, and the choice mostly comes down to where you are starting from in Santiago and how much time you have.

The train: Metro Valparaíso (Merval)

Metro Valparaíso, known as Merval, is a suburban railway that connects Limache (west of Santiago) to Puerto station in the centre of Valparaíso, with several stops along the way including Viña del Mar. The line does not, however, run into Santiago's metro network directly — the eastern terminus is at Limache, which is reached by separate transport from Santiago city centre.

The most practical combination from Santiago is to take a bus to Valparaíso (the most direct option) or to travel by road to Limache and pick up the Merval there. The Merval itself is comfortable, modern and scenic as it approaches the coast, and it is the natural choice for travelling between Valparaíso and Viña del Mar once you are in the region. The total journey time from central Santiago by this route (road to Limache, then Merval) is comparable to taking a direct coach.

The direct option: Turbus and other coaches

Turbus is Chile's leading long-distance coach operator and runs frequent departures between Santiago's Alameda Bus Terminal (Terminal Alameda or Pajaritos, the latter served by Metro) and Valparaíso's Terminal Rodoviario (near the port). Journey time is around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. Pullman Bus is another established operator on this route.

Buses run throughout the day and are genuinely frequent — you rarely need to book far ahead, though weekends and public holidays are busier. Fares are modest, and the service is comfortable with air conditioning on all main coaches. The Turbus terminal at Pajaritos connects directly to the Santiago Metro (Line 1), making it easy to reach from central Santiago without a taxi.

Driving

The drive from Santiago to Valparaíso follows Ruta 68 through the Casablanca Valley — one of Chile's premium wine-producing areas — and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours covering approximately 120 km. The motorway is well maintained and the scenery pleasant.

If you have a car, this is the natural way to travel: the Casablanca Valley wineries are hard to visit without one, and Valparaíso's street layout (steep hills, narrow streets, one-way roads) makes the city itself a challenge to drive in. Park near the port or at one of the cerro funicular (ascensor) entry points and explore on foot.

Ruta 68 has tolls; have Chilean pesos or a compatible card available.

Viña del Mar as a companion stop

Viña del Mar, the seaside resort immediately adjacent to Valparaíso, is easily combined with a visit. The Merval connects the two in about 10 minutes. Many travellers base themselves in Viña for beach access and day-trip into the hills of Valparaíso — or vice versa.

What to know about Valparaíso itself

The city's famous ascensores (historic funicular lifts) carry you up the steep hills (cerros) from the flat port district (el Plan). Some are UNESCO-listed alongside the rest of the historic quarter. Public transport within the city also includes trolleybuses — one of the last operational systems in South America — which connect the lower city. The whole Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción area is best explored on foot.

Which should you choose?

For most visitors from Santiago city centre, the Turbus direct coach from Pajaritos is the simplest and fastest option. If you are already near Limache or want a scenic coastal train experience, the Merval is worth using. Drive if you plan to stop in Casablanca Valley wine country on the way.

Luggage and comfort on the coach

Turbus and Pullman Bus coaches on this route are modern, air-conditioned vehicles with an underfloor luggage hold, comfortable enough for a couple of suitcases without difficulty on a journey of under two hours. Reclining seats and onboard toilets are standard on the main services. The Merval trains are similarly comfortable for the coastal stretch, though as noted, most of the Santiago-to-region journey is actually covered by road transport to Limache first, so the train portion itself is short.

Practical tips for first-time visitors

Buy your Turbus ticket in advance online or through the app if travelling on a weekend or holiday, since seats can sell out on the most popular midday and afternoon departures even though the route runs frequently. The Pajaritos terminal is directly on Santiago's Metro Line 1, so there is no need to arrange a taxi if you are already near the metro network — simply ride to Pajaritos station and the bus terminal is at the same complex. In Valparaíso, keep your bearings by remembering that "el Plan" refers to the flat port area and the numbered "cerros" (hills) rise steeply above it; a funicular (ascensor) is usually the easiest way up rather than the steep stepped streets.

Money-saving tips

Turbus and Pullman Bus fares are already inexpensive by international standards, and booking a day or two ahead rarely changes the price much on this short, frequent route — unlike longer-distance Chilean bus journeys where advance booking matters more. If you plan to explore both Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, the short Merval hop between them is cheap and worth using rather than taking a taxi. Driving costs are dominated by the Ruta 68 toll and any wine-tasting stops in Casablanca Valley, which can add up if you visit several vineyards in one day.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Merval train go directly to Santiago?

No. Metro Valparaíso (Merval) runs between Limache and Valparaíso Puerto, not into Santiago's metro network. To use it from central Santiago you need to reach Limache first, usually by bus. Most travellers take a direct Turbus coach instead.

How frequent are the Turbus departures?

Very frequent — buses run throughout the day, typically every 15–30 minutes during peak hours from Terminal Alameda / Pajaritos. You can usually turn up and catch the next departure, though weekends see heavier demand.

Can I visit Valparaíso as a day trip from Santiago?

Yes, easily. With buses taking around 1 hour 30 minutes each way and services running late, a full day in Valparaíso is very manageable from Santiago. Start early to make the most of the cerros in good light.

Is driving in Valparaíso difficult?

Yes. The city's steep hills, narrow lanes and complex one-way street network make driving inside Valparaíso challenging. Park at the edge of the main areas of interest and explore on foot, by ascensor or on the trolleybus.