Info for bus from San Antonio port to Valparaiso

[vtgumby]

 

Hi fellow cruisers...we recently disembarked at San Antonio, Chile and took the bus to beloved Valparaiso and here is some information to guide your decisions. The bus terminal is located about four blocks away...go straight out of the port for one block and then turn right for another 3-4 normal sized blocks, there is a sign pointing that way once you're out of the port to help guide. Also they have information people who will point you the right way, we thought the San Antonio port was excellent in this regard, LOTS of information and help available!

The bus is CHEAP and very nice, an upscale and very comfortable bus. Once we entered the small terminal a person with a 'tourist' vest (speaking excellent English for those of us with less than excellent or no Spanish language skills) came over and pointed us the way. We used Turbus (the green ones) and the cost was 2900 chilean pesos which equals $4.15 for an easy ride into Valparaiso..ship cost on NCL was $80, no gracias.

🙂

The bus terminal in Valpo is probably 5 blocks from the excellent metro (Baron stop) so very easy to connect once you get into Valparaiso.

As a side mention, we took the bus from Valparaiso into Santiago airport (they have three buses that go direct to airport vs the city) and it cost 5000 pesos, $7.15

Our luggage was backpacks on our bodies, both of us had 21" rollers and we also had a rolling duffle so not lightly packed nor heavily laden...not a problem dragging the bags to/from terminals but you could always take a taxi to your terminal or destination from the bus terminal, the cost is just crazy cheap and as mentioned, very comfortable buses (some are double decker too) and they store your luggage underneath, you get a 'bag claim' number for each bag and they don't release randomly so that worked well, we felt like our bags were relatively secure and appreciated them checking numbers to bags.

We'd do it again in a flash and suggest it for an economic choice to get around Chile.

[FredZiffle]

Great specifics on how to take the bus.  We did something similar, and I can echo your endorsement on how easy it is and the quality of the buses.  I would also point out that folks can take the bus direct from San Antonio to Santiago if they're not interested in visiting Valparaiso.  I don't know if any run direct to the airport or if you have to connect at the Alameda bus terminal in Santiago, but still a cheap and easy ride.