What would the cost be for two people on a private transfer from Santiago to the pier in Valparaiso. Not interested in public transportation.

Somewhere in the region of US$150-160. That would be transport alone, but you can often get a private transfer with guide and a stop at a vineyard or a tour of Valparaiso thrown in for not much more. Have a search on Cruise Critic for recommended guides/drivers.

I have to addresses for you. Both guides come highly recommended on TA.

1) Christian Montenegro - "The Van Man"
www.thevanmanadventures.com (56-9) 81371921

He will be picking us up at the Valparaiso port. We'll visit Valparaiso & Viña del Mar. He suggested stops at the Emiliana winery in the Casablanca Valley & lunch at "Los Hornitos de Curacavi" on the way to the Santiago airport. (Lunch not included, of course) Cost $100 p.p.

You pay the driver/guide in US dollar bills or Chilean pesos after the job is done. We reserved for 4 passengers. It's a private tour & transfer, so we can visit or see whatever we want on the way to the airport. The tours and transfers are done in a 2013 Mercedes Benz Sprinter for up to 10 passengers, so plenty of space for luggage.

I've contacted him also for friends. He quoted for their transfer from their Santiago hotel to Valparaiso port US $50 p.p.
They're a family of 6 and are using him also for their transfer from the airport to their hotel in Santiago and a city tour the following day before their transfer to the Valparaiso port.

2) Michael Arnold [email protected]
He seems a very nice guy. Unfortunately, he was out of town and contacted me too late.

Waggis, your first choice was the best of the two. It is definitely worth getting some added value in your trip to the coast rather than just taking it as transport from A to B.

Huentetu - We were thinking of skipping the visit to the winery for something else. In 2007, we visited 2 wineries in the Colchagua Valley in the cities of San Fernando & Santa Cruz.

Since our flight is at 11.45pm, how late are the stores open in Santiago on a Saturday?
Your comments are most appreciated.
Thank you!

Shops in malls stay open until 9-9:30 pm. Independent shops outside of malls will close at about 7:30 pm. A lot of shops in Providencia close Saturday afternoons as they do most of their business during the work week, although department stores are open. They have just opened a huge mall in Providencia, the Costanera Center, which has just about anything you can imagine, including a large supermarket.

Sounds great. We should be able to get rid of some money;-)
Again, thank you!

Vivian is also a great guide, highly reccomendes in TA.
We had a fantastic day with him from the cruise terminal to the airport. We contacted him through TA and answered us very quickly.
[email protected]