Wife and I will be in Santiago Sept. 18-21. We are trying to locate a driver to get us to and from the airport as well as a full day or two half day excursions to places of interest. If anyone has a line on an individual who fits this description, please let me know. Also, while in Santiago, we'll be staying at The Time Suites and Apartments which I found on the AA Hotel Reservations board. If anyone has knowledge of this hotel, would appreciate hearing about it. Muchas gracias!
To/from the airport I'm not quite sure why you need a completely bilingual driver - you should be happy with Transvip or Tur, both of which have booths by baggage claim (prior to customs) and you can arrange for a roundtrip right there.
I'd also ask what sort of bilingual drivers they might have for the other request you have - I think they might be able to accommodate.
I was in Santiago last year and as you come out of customs there are a few booths with private car transfers.
We took a 3 hour ride from the airport to the city - there were some specific places I wanted to see before we hit the hotel. I think the price was US$60. I asked the same driver to drive us the following day for a full day trip to Vinas del Mar. I think it was US$140 for a full day. Don't quote me on the prices.
I am fluent in Spanish so I don't know if he spoke any other language but the service and the car were impeccable.
I was in Santiago last year and as you come out of customs there are a few booths with private car transfers.
We took a 3 hour ride from the airport to the city - there were some specific places I wanted to see before we hit the hotel. I think the price was US$60. I asked the same driver to drive us the following day for a full day trip to Vinas del Mar. I think it was US$140 for a full day. Don't quote me on the prices.
I am fluent in Spanish so I don't know if he spoke any other language but the service and the car were impeccable.
How did this driver work out? Anyone have recommendations for another good driver in Santiago that speaks English? We are staying at the San Cristobal so we will also try the hotel and see what they can offer.
How did this driver work out? Anyone have recommendations for another good driver in Santiago that speaks English? We are staying at the San Cristobal so we will also try the hotel and see what they can offer.
Thanks
The Sheraton side of the hotel has prices posted for the car services - talk to Naomi at the concierge desk, who is wonderful. (I can't wait to get back to the hotel - I love staying in the tower.)
The Sheraton side of the hotel has prices posted for the car services - talk to Naomi at the concierge desk, who is wonderful. (I can't wait to get back to the hotel - I love staying in the tower.)
Thanks, will do. The tower is great, indeed. We got free breakfast and snacks even though I have no status other than the Preferred Plus conferred by the Amex. Great service otherwise too.
My wife and I recently visited Santiago and took this recommendation and contacted Mr. Navarro. Esteban was great. He picked us up and drove us to SCL -- twice within the span of a week, and was very professional. Was waiting at baggage claim and then met us early in the morning at our hotel the next day for an early morning flight to IPC. His rate was 20K CLP each way from the airport to Providencia, and we thought that was well worth it given his professionalism and modern, clean sedan. The second time he picked us up he drove us around the city and was our tour guide for an afternoon before returning us to SCL for our flight home. We had a great afternoon and he's very knowledgeable about the city.
Also, while in Santiago, we'll be staying at The Time Suites and Apartments which I found on the AA Hotel Reservations board. If anyone has knowledge of this hotel, would appreciate hearing about it. Muchas gracias!
I stayed at The Times Suites last year with a group of students. Based on SA standards, I'd rate it as a 3-star hotel. It's a little faded and wifi isn't included, but the breakfast is decent and it was a very convenient location for our purposes. It's just a few minutes walk to the Tobalaba station and there are lots of restaurants within a 5-10 walk. Also, very important to me, there's a Starbucks two doors down.
Redhead and SFOTurtle, thanks for recommending Esteban Navarro. I used him recently for airport transfers between SCL and Las Condes (25,000 CLP) and between SCL and La Dehesa (30,000 CLP). He was very professional and delightful.
