mlgb

This is from this March 2016, arriving on a Tuesday. My overall time from arriving at the gate at 10:30 am and reaching Valparaiso was 3 hours. I understand that bus from Santiago city takes about 2 hours. I was very quickly through customs due to flying carry on only.

There are some cambios near customs and others after you exit. You need a little bit of Chilean Pesos at least for the first bus..possibly the second takes credit card..but also need cash for Taxi in Valpo...There are ATMs near the various cafes as you walk through the terminal ..but the withdrawal fee is 5000 CLP...steep! So cambio may be a better option for just a small quantity. To just get to Valpo should be no more than 15000 CLP or 20000 CLP MAX per person.

To get to the bus stop, pass the cafes, look for Door marked with a big 4 or just go outside and turn right..you will cross the driveway to a median look to the right and there will be people lined up for the airport connector.

To get to Valpo, you first take from the connector to the Pajaritos bus station. Inside the station, you buy a second ticket to Valparaiso, which takes you to their downtown bus station. From there you can take a taxi to your hotel.

Airport Connector: You pay on the bus and conductor can make change from large CLP notes. The bus runs continuously ever 20 minutes. You may not get on the first bus if there is a big line.

First take any roller or large bags to the back of the bus..there will be others lined up..the baggage man will ask you where, don't worry if you can't understand, after all it is Chilean Spanish and they're the only ones who understand it anyways!..Say "PAHARITO". You'll get a ticket. Then go to the front door of the bus, pay the conductor, take your ticket and any seat.

Transferring at Pajaritos to Valpo bus.
Pajaritos is a bus station, not a roadside bus stop! Once you arrive, retrieve your bag and go inside the station.. look for windows (they were on the left coming from the Santiago direction) . I used Turbus.

Pick your window and say BalparaEESo and hold up the fingers of the number of people. They will ask ida or ida y vuelto...(i.e., one way or return). They may ask upstairs or downstairs (ariba o abajo). I picked down..don't know if it is less costly but it was only 2700CLP..Bus will have a designated time and you will have an assigned seat number. (I was able to make an 11:50 am bus connection and arrived in Valpo at 1:30 pm).

Go outside (behind you) and there is a display up high (TV) with the bay numbers. Also the bus will say Valparaiso on it (up high on the front window). You also check your luggage in the back, get a luggage ticket, they may ask if you are going to the bus station (cant recall exactly). Then show bus ticket at the front, board and enjoy the ride..all freeway. I think it was even less than 2 hours but there was no traffic for us. The total time was a bit over 2.5 IIRC.

Taxi to hotel: At the Valparaiso bus station I went through to the other side and saw a taxi sign. I followed my usually practice of taking a ride with a nice looking older driver. Asked him to turn on the meter. It was 4500 CLP total to the Ibis...he knew where it was.

Be sure to pick up one of the free Tours4Tips maps either at the airport or the Valp bus station.

Southam

Thanks for the detailed report which I have filed for future reference. Any suggests (and maybe links) for accommodation in Valpo?

mlgb

I stayed at the Ibis, it is near a Trole stop and not too far from Cerro Concepcion.

mlgb

If you join Accor loyalty you get a bit of a discount and preferrential cancel policy for Ibis, also.