Santiago > Valparaiso: worth driving?
 

Hi friends:

We'll soon be heading to Chile and plan to go to Valparaiso. We're wondering if it's worth driving ourselves (interesting places to stop?), or if we should just hire a driver. Any thoughts from those who've done it or live in the area?

Many thanks!

I took the bus. Don't remember the trip being especially scenic, but if you want to visit wineries you would need a car or car and driver.

Like Thursdaysd we got the bus (from the airport) to Valparaíso. I don't recall there being a great deal along the way worth stopping for. Valparaiso though is a terrific place to spend a few days.

Lots of interesting vineyards on the way and good places to eat. But for that you need a driver anyway as drinking limits are very tight in Chile.

I would say the drive is very beautiful and scenic but the only places you might want to stop on the way are vineyards and so not exactly somewhere you should be driving yourselves.

Saying that - if you hire a driver, the vineyards would be a great way to break up the journey, there are some really excellent ones along the way, you can get guided tours round them if you look online.

However if you are looking for some sort of town to explore along the way then there isn't much to visit. Hiring a driver would allow you to stop at the vineyards, but if this isn't something you're interested in then you might still like the freedom of driving yourselves. Valparaiso is beautiful and it's worth going to Viña del Mar only up the coast a little further too.

If you drive yourselves you might have more flexibility to explore different areas of the town/area. It all depends on if you will be hiring a private driver to cater to your needs or going on a tour with a specific route. Just as an FYI if you feel like it there is a sort of metro between Valpo and Viña so you can get there without a car if needed too!

Enjoy!

Took the bus from Santiago airport today. Not especially scenic..especially with overcast. Looks like any other region with orchards and vineyards.

I like Valpo but no way would I want a car here!

mlgb--have fun! I loved Valpo. Agree that taking the bus is the way to get there.
Don't miss Pablo Neruta's home there, La Sebastiana, which has a nice to walk to it and has beautiful views. The Neruta house I liked even more is Isla Negra which is a bus ride away (maybe an hour) from Valpo. Looking forward to reading about your adventures.

Fantastic intel! Thanks so much. I'll post a trip report once we're back.

Fantastic time in Valparaiso. We took a taxi to/from Santiago and it was super-easy!