Chile: Getting There
MIT-Chile's internship stipend covers the cost of a US-Chile-US round trip flight, unless you have discussed other arrangements with the Program Manager. Flights tend to average between USD$800-$1500, depending on your purchase date, airline, route, seat choice, etc. Baggage fees are usually waived for international flights.
TRAVEL
There are generally two routes to Chile, depending on the airline you select:
PAPERWORK AND OFFICIALDOM
TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT
These are ranked them from most to least recommended. If you are living with a host family, they will pick you up.
TRAVEL
There are generally two routes to Chile, depending on the airline you select:
- Overnight route: Major US hub direct to Santiago, arrival early-late morning. Unless you depart from a major hub, you'll likely have a layover in Dallas (AA), Houston (United), Miami (AA and LAN), New York-JFK (AA and LAN), or Atlanta (Delta). There are also overnight routes that stop in Toronto (Air Canada), Mexico City (AeroMexico), Bogotá (AA and LAN), Lima (AA and LAN), São Paulo (TAM), and Buenos Aires (AA and LAN).
- ¡Ojo! Some routes to Chile have layovers in Argentina or Brazil. Although in general you don’t have to pay a reciprocity fee (both Argentina and Brazil) or have a visa (Brazil) if you are just transiting a country, it is best to be safe than sorry. For information on transit, visas, and reciprocity fees, see http://abriggs.com and use the "Need a Visa?" form to verify.
- Late evening/early morning route: Layover in Panama City, arrive in Santiago usually between midnight and 0300. The Panama City route is on Copa Airlines. I don't recommend this route, as it will be extremely difficult to coordinate check-in times with your housing arrangement.
PAPERWORK AND OFFICIALDOM
- Visas. Most students will NOT need a visa to enter Chile for a stay up to 90 days. Click here for a list of countries that DO require a visa (list last updated January 2016).
- Reciprocity fees. Holders of passports from Australia (USD$117) or Mexico (USD$23) must pay a reciprocity fee (US dollars or credit card) before passing through immigration. Bring enough cash to pay the fee just in case of a credit card issue and check here for updates.
- Tourist card, or tarjeta de turismo. Flight attendants used to distribute these after take-off to fill out and present to immigration officials upon arrival to Chile. Now, immigration officials will give you your tourist card after they stamp your passport - no need to fill out a form ahead of time. Be prepared to answer the all or some of the following questions: What flight did you arrive on? How long are you staying? Where are you staying? (You should write down the address of your hotel or apartment ahead of time). What are you going to be doing here?
- Customs form. This form is also fairly straight-forward. ¡Ojo! Do not bring any food or drink with you into Chile. Finish up any snacks you have before you leave the plane. Chile has stringent customs regulations governing importation of perishable items. See the following video. Avoid bringing in even packaged food like granola bars to avoid potential hassle. If you must have some sort of food item, declare them to be safe. People who have been fined usually had failed to declare comestibles and were caught.
TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT
These are ranked them from most to least recommended. If you are living with a host family, they will pick you up.
- Transvip. With Transvip, you can reserve a taxi ejecutivo (for up to three people) or the servicio de transfer compartido at the Transvip counter or online prior to arrival. Transvip is well-established, safe, and has reasonable flat rates. With transfer compartido, you will share a van with up to 6 other people. The Transvip coordinators outside the airport will group people together depending on their destination. Make sure you know your address! Also feel free to tip the driver, who will also handle your bags. CLP$500-CLP$1000 is a good amount.
- Taxi Oficial. The fare will depend on the comuna to which you're going, but expect to pay between CLP$18,000-CLP$22,000.
- Metro. Taking the metro into town requires boarding the Centropuerto bus, which will drop you off at the Pajaritos station on Línea 1 (the red line). If you have a lot of luggage, this option could be a hassle.
Chile: Housing Arrangements
In Chile, you have several options, described below. If you will be outside of Santiago, the Program Manager will work with you one-on-one to secure housing. If you don't feel comfortable booking your place on your own or if you have any questions, the Program Manager is happy to help out.
Rent an apartment (called a departamento in Chile)
Many MIT-Chile students, especially undergraduates, like to share a place with other MIT students on the program. You can rent an apartment just for you; this is often an attractive option for graduate students. You can find a non-MIT roommate through website such as CompartoDepto, listed below. If you want to do this, please speak with the Program Manager.
Stay in a place especially designed for students
Most Chilean universities do not have an official dormitory system like that of schools in the US. However, if you'd like to live with other students - Chileans and extranjeros - a residencia universitaria might be a good choice for you. These residencias are professionally managed and offer standard services like internet, housekeeping, and cable. Many also arrange and host cultural events. The monthly cost to stay in a residencia depends on the level of services it has (e.g. meals, laundry) and on the type of room you select (single or shared). An estimate price range based on the residencias included in the website list is USD$430-670 per month.
Live with a family
The MIT-Chile has worked with Cecilia Blanch, a Chilean professional who has been placing international students with Chilean families for over 18 years. She has her own company, listed below. Each year, about 5 students choose to stay with a family. A "homestay" is an excellent option if you want a true immersion experience. Cecilia has each student fill out a very detailed questionnaire (e.g. allergies, vegetarian/vegan, OK with pets, etc.), which she uses to match you with a local family. If you want to explore this option, please contact your Program Manager as soon as possible. Cecilia's website: www.homestaychile.cl
Rent an apartment (called a departamento in Chile)
Many MIT-Chile students, especially undergraduates, like to share a place with other MIT students on the program. You can rent an apartment just for you; this is often an attractive option for graduate students. You can find a non-MIT roommate through website such as CompartoDepto, listed below. If you want to do this, please speak with the Program Manager.
- CompartoDepto: www.compartodepto.cl
- Contact Chile: www.contactchile.cl
- Andes Property: www.andesproperty.com
- Housing in Chile: www.housinginchile.cl
- Chile Amoblados: www.chileamoblados.cl
- AirBNB: www.airbnb.com
- Home Urbano: www.homeurbano.com/es/alojamientos-amoblados.aspx
- Chile Inside (find a roommate - international students or Chilean students): http://www.chileinside.cl/es/practica-en-chile/alojamiento
Stay in a place especially designed for students
Most Chilean universities do not have an official dormitory system like that of schools in the US. However, if you'd like to live with other students - Chileans and extranjeros - a residencia universitaria might be a good choice for you. These residencias are professionally managed and offer standard services like internet, housekeeping, and cable. Many also arrange and host cultural events. The monthly cost to stay in a residencia depends on the level of services it has (e.g. meals, laundry) and on the type of room you select (single or shared). An estimate price range based on the residencias included in the website list is USD$430-670 per month.
- Residencias Universitarias: www.residenciasuniversitarias.cl
- Residencia Universitaria Infante: www.residenciauniversitariainfante.cl
- Residencias (Housing in Chile): www.housinginchile.cl/residencias.htm
- Residencia Araucaria (female only): http://residenciaaraucaria.cl
Live with a family
The MIT-Chile has worked with Cecilia Blanch, a Chilean professional who has been placing international students with Chilean families for over 18 years. She has her own company, listed below. Each year, about 5 students choose to stay with a family. A "homestay" is an excellent option if you want a true immersion experience. Cecilia has each student fill out a very detailed questionnaire (e.g. allergies, vegetarian/vegan, OK with pets, etc.), which she uses to match you with a local family. If you want to explore this option, please contact your Program Manager as soon as possible. Cecilia's website: www.homestaychile.cl