A Viña del Mar day trip from Santiago: buses from about CLP 3,000, a walking route past the flower clock and the moai, the beaches, and Viña versus Valparaíso.

A Valparaíso day trip from Santiago done right: buses from CLP 2,700, a hill-by-hill walking route, La Sebastiana, what to skip, safety, and bus versus tour.

Twelve day trips from Santiago compared on travel time, cost, season and whether to go independently or by tour. Honest verdicts, checked September 2026.