Santiago, Chile Travel Guide: Efficient Itineraries, Neighborhoods + Day Trips
Since I’ll be based in Santiago for a bit, I’m building a series for no-car, active travel—with one-bag carry-on packing and plug-and-play itineraries you can just take and go.
📌 Bookmark this page or subscribe below to follow along — I'll update it as each post goes live, and it’ll eventually become the full Santiago guide.
Start here
The goal of this series is to help you plan quickly and comprehensively for Santiago (where to stay, how to get around, what to do), focused on car-free travel.
Decide your base neighborhood
Dial in the core logistics
Pack with a simple layer system and comfortable shoes
Follow time-boxed, walkable itineraries based on your trip length
Add day trips if you have extra time
(Optional) Stay active with running routes in the city
What’s coming in the Santiago series
Core planning
SCL ↔ Santiago: how to get between the airport and the city (time, cost, safety, when to use which option)
Where to stay in Santiago: best neighborhoods for transit efficiency, safety, vibe, and walkability
Getting around Santiago: how to navigate the city’s great public transportation or call a car when you need one
Santiago in 1 day: plug-and-play route + map if you got one shot in the city (best hits)
Santiago in 3 days: efficient 3-day city plan + map with modular swaps (and optional day trips)
Santiago in 1 week: Santiago-as-a-base 7-day framework + map (choose your city days + day trips flexibly)
Day trips (no car)
All of these are doable by bus/metro + walking.
5 best day trips from Santiago: my car-free day trip recommendations
Valparaíso day trip: walkable itinerary + transit tips (street art, viewpoints)
Viña del Mar day trip: easy coastal itinerary + transit tips (beach, ocean views, low-effort)
Maipo Valley (Pirque) day trip: wine-day itinerary + transit tips (Concha y Toro, optional add-ons)
Pomaire day trip: food + local crafts itinerary + transit tips (empanadas, pottery)
Andes hiking day trip: best routes + what to pack (closest hikes to Santiago, difficulty notes, simple packing list)
One-bag packing + staying active
One-bag packing for Santiago (4 seasons): minimalist packing list + layer system (hot dry summer, temperature swings).
→ Meanwhile this post is shaping up, check out my one-bag packing list for full-time, four-season travel →
5 runs in Santiago: best routes for each workout (easy run, tempo, intervals, long run, hill reps) + logistics tips
What “efficient” travel in Santiago means for me
Pick one base neighborhood that fits your style to spend less time commuting
Walk first, metro second – no stress renting a car and figuring out driving in a new place
Use time-boxed, well-planned routes so you can see the highlights without doubling around
Pack for layers + comfort so you’re ready for temperature swings
Last updated: December 2025
