Transfer from Santiago to Valporaiso on holiday

[Hans Jordan]

Hi:

Four of us need transfer from a downtown hotel in Santiago to Valparaiso
on December 8, 2008. It is a national holiday and traffic is supposed to be extremly heavy. I am told the highway is closed due to holiday festival.
What would be the best way to get the transfer from Santiago to Cruise Ship Pier in Chile on December 8, 2008?

Need help !

[greatam]

Originally Posted by Hans Jordan

Hi:

Four of us need transfer from a downtown hotel in Santiago to Valparaiso
on December 8, 2008. It is a national holiday and traffic is supposed to be extremly heavy. I am told the highway is closed due to holiday festival.
What would be the best way to get the transfer from Santiago to Cruise Ship Pier in Chile on December 8, 2008?

Need help !

TAKE THE CRUISE SHIP TRANSFER. You will need to get to the airport for the transfer, but co-ordinate with your TA and hotel to make arrangements to get to the airport and get on the cruise ship bus.

IF there is a traffic problem, the cruise line will protect your transfer. I know that transfers, hotels, air, etc. are NOT guaranteed per the cruise line contract. BUT the cruise line is NOT going to leave a bunch of people at the airport IF they can possibly avoid it.

I only recommend the cruise ship transfer BECAUSE Dec. 8 is a national religious holiday in Chile and it can get VERY congested, roads do get shut down, especially if there is any kind of demonstration. I just think in this particular circumstance, you will be better served using the transfer. Allow plenty of time and ENJOY!!!!

[BOHEMIO]

Hi Hans
There is no problem. The direct highway will be closed but, there is another alternative that will be opened. This highway only will turn a few kilometers aside. The trip difference will only be half an hour.
I hope to have been able to help

[JamieinChile]

It is very true about the alternative route. THere was always the more scenic windy route but then the more direct multi laned toll highway was put in. That being said the older two lane road will be full, but it works and is a nice scenic route.
Beat the congestion and time frame worries, get out to the coast a day earlier, stay overnight and casually pop into the terminal near noon on embark day. Everyone else is simply standing in an embarcation line-up until then. Enjoy breakfast and a stroll along the waterfront!