Teleférico de Santiago (Santiago Cable Car), Santiago

The Santiago Cable Car is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore San Cristóbal Hill and the surrounding Metropolitan Park. As your cabin rises above the slopes, look out across the city below and, on a clear day, toward the Andes in the distance.

Construction of the cable car began in 1979. The rugged volcanic terrain made the work difficult, as 12 towers had to be installed along the route. The system opened on April 1, 1980, with 72 oval-shaped cabins covering the 4.8-kilometer route in around 20 minutes.

The cable car remained in service until 2009, when a mechanical failure forced it to close. After a major renovation, with new cabins and restored infrastructure, it reopened on November 24, 2016.
Today, the system has 47 passenger cabins, painted in bright red, blue, and green colors. Each can carry up to six passengers, while several specially adapted cabins can also transport bicycles, making it particularly useful for cyclists exploring the park. The system can operate at speeds of up to 5 meters per second, or roughly 18 kilometers per hour.

The route has three stations: Oasis, Tupahue, and Cumbre. If you begin at Oasis Station, the cable car gradually climbs through the park toward the summit.

The middle stop is Tupahue Station. If you get off here, follow the signs toward the Tupahue Pool and the Mapulemu Botanical Garden, a peaceful landscaped area whose name means “Forest of the Earth.” The Camino Real Restaurant is also nearby.

Continue uphill to Cumbre Station, the highest stop. When you leave the station, follow the paths toward the summit area and the large white statue of the Virgin Mary. From here, you can also connect with the historic Santiago Funicular, giving you the option of descending the hill by a different route.

Even if you're simply using it for transportation, the cable car ride itself is part of the experience, offering a good opportunity to see Santiago from an elevated angle.