Santiago: Hop On Hop Off Bus, Cable Car & Funicular 2-Day Pass

Summary

Two days exploring Santiago’s parks, hills, and city life by bus and cable car

You’ll catch glimpses of daily life in Santiago from parks full of birds to panoramic city views high above San Cristobal Hill. With unlimited rides on both cable car and funicular plus two days of hop on hop off sightseeing buses, you can explore plazas, markets, and neighborhoods at your own speed — and maybe find your own favorite corner along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I thought two days would be too much for a hop on hop off bus in Santiago — but I was wrong. We started at Parque Arauco, which is more than just a mall (the smell of fresh bread from the bakery inside hit me right away). The morning air was cool and people were already out walking their dogs in the park next door. Our guide at the info desk handed us our tickets and pointed out that we could use the cable car and funicular as much as we wanted — “Just don’t miss the last lap before four!” she said, kind of laughing like she knew I’d forget. She wasn’t wrong.

Bicentennial Park was a surprise — flamingos in the lagoon, kids feeding swans, couples stretched out on the grass. There was this one old man sketching the skyline with a stubby pencil; he nodded when I tried to peek over his shoulder. Then we hopped back on the sightseeing bus towards San Cristobal Hill. The cable car ride up felt slow in a good way — you get these little pockets of silence above the city noise, just wind and distant music from somewhere down below. At the top, Santiago looked endless under that pale blue sky. My partner tried to count how many neighborhoods we could see; we gave up after ten.

The funicular creaked its way down through Parquemet and dropped us near Bellavista — colorful walls, street art everywhere, smells of grilled meat mixing with car exhaust. We wandered into Santa Lucia Hill later that afternoon; I almost slipped on those old stone stairs (watch your step if it rained). By then my feet were tired but I didn’t want to miss Palacio de la Moneda or Plaza de Armas — there’s something about seeing locals just going about their day in these grand old spaces that makes you feel like you’re part of it for a second. We stopped for empanadas at some tiny place with plastic chairs; best decision all day.

By day two we’d figured out our rhythm — jump off wherever caught our eye (Costanera Center for coffee and that wild view from Sky Costanera), linger longer in places like Lastarria where artists set up stalls along the sidewalk. The freedom to move at our own pace made all the difference. If you do this Santiago sightseeing bus tour, don’t stress about seeing everything perfectly — sometimes it’s better to let yourself drift a bit between stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore malls and Bicentennial Park

• Visit Parque Arauco mall
• Walk in Parque Araucano
• Explore Bicentennial Park lagoons and trails
• Enjoy outdoor amphitheater and restaurant

Day 2 — Cable Car, Funicular and historic sites

• Walk to Santiago Metropolitan Park entrance
• Ride Cable Car to San Cristobal Hill summit
• Visit Sculpture Park and Casona Lo Contador
• Ride historic Funicular in Parquemet
• Tour Plaza de Armas and historic center
• Explore Palacio de la Moneda and Constitution Square
• Visit Santa Lucia Hill and nearby cultural sites
• Discover El Golf and Bellavista neighborhoods

Top questions

How long is the Santiago hop on hop off bus ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for two consecutive days.

Does this tour include tickets for the cable car & funicular?

Yes, unlimited rides on both are included for two consecutive days (Tuesday to Sunday).

Where does the sightseeing bus route start?

The route starts at Parque Arauco mall but you can board at any stop.

Are there any days when the cable car or funicular don’t run?

They do not operate on Mondays.

Is pickup included or do I need to get to the first stop myself?

No hotel pickup is included; join at any official stop like Parque Arauco.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes; infants can ride in a pram or stroller but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What are some main attractions along the route?

Main stops include Bicentennial Park, San Cristobal Hill (Cerro San Cristobal), Santa Lucia Hill (Cerro Santa Lucia), La Moneda Palace, Plaza de Armas, Costanera Center, Bellavista neighborhood.

Is this suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but some areas like hills may have uneven steps or surfaces.

What’s included

Your pass includes unlimited rides on Santiago’s hop on hop off sightseeing buses plus all tickets for both cable car and funicular rides within Metropolitan Park for two consecutive days (Tuesday through Sunday). You’ll also have access to panoramic buses inside Parquemet so you can explore every corner without rushing or worrying about extra fees along the way.