Guide To Using Local Transportation When Learning Spanish In Santiago, Chile

When you are studying Spanish in Santiago, don't hesitate to use the city's local transportation system. This city easily has the overall best public transport infrastructure in all of South America. This means that no matter where you want to go explore, you can do so quickly, easily and inexpensively.

You have likely never heard of Transantiago, but this term refers to Santiago's new public transportation system, which was introduced in 2007. Transantiago is widely considered to be one of the most impressive transportation projects that a developing country has ever undertaken. It includes local bus lines, main bus lines and the subway.

Passengers can transport themselves through transfers with both the bus and the subway with just one ticket. In fact, when you attend Spanish schools in Chile, you will definitely want to take advantage of the smartcard (Bip), which allows for easy transfers within Santiago. This card is prepaid and can be used in both buses as well as in the metro. Also with the development and introduction of Transantiago, brand new eco-friendly buses replaced many outdated models. In fact, as of 2010, all old buses have been updated. These new buses have a variety of attractive features including low floors, and a special system that makes sure that all doors are closed before the bus starts moving. This means that if you choose to take a bus to get to a particular location, you will find it to be a smooth and safe ride.

Santiago also offers the Metro de Santiago, which is the most extensive subway system in all of South America. It serves over 2 million people each day. The Metro de Santiago is considered one of the most important construction projects ever undertaken in Chile. You will be pleasantly surprised at the convenience and ease of use of this system. Plus, the metro has quite a bit of art in the various stations, making the experience all the more pleasant. For example, the Universidad de Chile station has a huge mural that represents Chilean history that was created by the artist Mario Toral. This means when you study Spanish in Santiago, you can combine cultural immersion and travel for the cost of just one ticket!

During your trip you certainly won't want to miss getting out to enjoy the beach. The good news is that the long distance buses are up to the same high standards as the ones in the city. To get to the beach from Santiago, simply take the metro to Pajaritos and then get on a bus to Viña del Mar. These buses are highly convenient in that they leave for the beach every 15 minutes and include bag checking.

Those who attend Spanish schools in Chile are usually overwhelmed by the wide array of activities that the country offers. There is certainly no lack of activities to enjoy throughout the region. Luckily, the country's public transportation enables easy access to everywhere that you might want to go.