Going to Viņa del Mar/Valparaiso > Take a bus from Terminal de Buses Alameda (Metro Station Universidad de Santiago). Buses leave to Viņa every 15 min. No train service.
Going South > Take a bus from Terminal de Buses Alameda (Metro Station Universidad de Santiago, open 24 hours) to Pucon, Temuco, Puerto Montt. TurBus is the best company and has offices at metro-stations:Univ.de Chile, Tobalaba and Mapocho. Buses are cheap, safe, comfortable and clean.
Lockers/Left Luggage > "Custodia" at the International Airport (1 level, 24hrs, US$1-US$5 a day, max 60 days). At terminal de Buses Alameda there is another one.
Public Transportation > Metro: The modern underground network in Chile is called Metro. It consists in 3 lines (line 1, 2, 5), which runs from 6:30 to 10:30 approximately. It is an easy, fast, clean and safe way to move out in Santiago.
Fare varies depending on the hour (high, medium, low). Better is buy a "boleto valor" (US$4), which works for around 10 trips independently on the hour. See www.metro-chile.cl Public Bus (aka "micros"): The public bus system is sometimes a mess, those yellow buses run fastly and in abundance for Santiago. They have a number and route sign in front of them, but for sure ask the driver. Usually, you will see many, humorists, singers, sellers (of ice cream, books, or whatever you can imagine), or simply people asking for money. Taxis (Cabs).
They are black and the roof yellow. The fare is quite cheap (A average ride should must cost between US$4 and US$6. To the airport is about US$16. Radio-Taxis
Are safer (and more expensive) than regular taxis because you have to contact them by phone. Usually they dont have a special sign that distinguish them from other cars. Radio Taxi Flash phone (56-2) 6717171
Books, Magazines > On Ahumada, many kiosks have newspapers and magazines in english. The bookstore: Feria del Libro has a shop in Alameda and Nueva York street. Instituto Chileno-Norteamericano sells books in english (M: Moneda. Merced 298)
Food > The tap-water usually cause diarrea to US an european turists. Drink bottled water. Avoid the ice as well.