Taxi to Santiago Airport

[Portia1]

There are seven of us and our flight departs Santiago at 6:55 a.m. on Sunday, 25 September. The earliest airport bus is 6 a.m. (unless we want to go out just after midnight!). Recommendations for taxi services? Given the number of us, would another option make sense? We are staying at the Alameda and since their English is very limited (as is our Spanish), I'd like to know my options.

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

Radio Taxi (24hr) 981 569 292 have always come despite my poor Spanish.

I have phoned them and they are usually there in under 10 minutes. Just make clear that there are 7 pilgrims. siete peregrinos Alameda y airporto would almost certainly be understood. They are used to dealing with us. If the Alameda has a receptionist they will almost certainly call for you.

In December 2010 the set fee for a taxi from Santiago to the airport was 16€. They might charge more because there are 7 of you, especially if they send 2 taxis.

The tourist office at 63 Rua do Vilar has staff who speak excellent English. They might be able to help you with the correct phrasing, though I bet there will be others here you will tell you exactly what to say. Make sure you write it down and take it with you.

Given that your flight departs at 6,55 you will need to be at the airport at least 2 hours beforehand so the bus is impractable.

Of course you could walk - it is perfectly doable!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The desk at La Salle Hostal has arranged early morning taxis for me, and they always have been there when I emerged in the darkness. Your hotel can probably do the same; the English at the La Salle is minimal, as is my Spanish.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - as has been said the hostal will call a taxi for you. Make sure they know the number of people. There is also a taxi rank in the Palza Gailica near to where you are staying.

 

[Portia1]

Thank you all. Perhaps my best bet is the tourist office in order to confirm a reservation? The Alameda is not staffed at the desk that early. It is a family operation. When I checked out last time, I paid the night before for this reason and left at 5:45 a.m. to catch the airport bus at the square. Can I confidently assume that multiple taxis are available around 5 a.m. on a Sunday at the taxi stand nearby?

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Thank you all. Perhaps my best bet is the tourist office in order to confirm a reservation? The Alameda is not staffed at the desk that early. It is a family operation. When I checked out last time, I paid the night before for this reason and left at 5:45 a.m. to catch the airport bus at the square. Can I confidently assume that multiple taxis are available around 5 a.m. on a Sunday at the taxi stand nearby?

I would either ask the staff of the hostal the night before to book the taxi for me or go to the Tourist Office and ask them to do it - they may however refer you back to your hostal.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Can I confidently assume that multiple taxis are available around 5 a.m. on a Sunday

I saw only the street sweeper at that hour! No place with coffee was open yet. As Johnny says, arrange the night before.

 

[John14]

Buen Camino,
Portia1, i think the best thing to do is to stay overnight in the airport. Santiago airport is very nice. Your flight is at 6:55am, which means you still have to check in at around 5am. Because of this, you also do not want to waste money on a hostel/hotel. Also, when there are many people in the group you can be late because some people are slower than others. So to make things simpler and cheaper, just sleep at the airport. Think of it as one last Camino adventure.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - In my experience, unless otherwise indicated by your airline, 1 hour in advance is sufficient for checking in at Santiago:

http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Sat ... ck-in.html

Sleep well!