Travelling by train
The train does not cover all of Chile, but along the central corridor it does something the bus cannot: it drops you in the city centre, on time and out of traffic.
What exists and what doesn't
EFE's passenger services concentrate along the central corridor, south of Santiago. It is not a network that reaches the parks or the coast: it is a comfortable way to reach cities from which you then continue. Check the official site for which services are running on your dates before building a plan around the train.
Cities on the central corridor
Rancagua, Curicó, Talca, Linares and Chillán are the names that usually appear on the southern corridor. Several connect with destinations already on this site: the Sewell visit is organised from Rancagua, and the Maule is reached from Curicó and Talca. Check EFE for which services exist before relying on them.
Buying and travelling
- Tickets
- Official sales go through EFE. Timetables and availability change with the season and with track works.
- Luggage
- It travels with you in the carriage, with no check-in. Convenient for a weekend backpack.
- Reaching the city is not reaching the destination
- The station leaves you in the city; the park, reserve or winery comes afterwards. That final leg is usually a local bus, taxi or transfer, and it is what decides whether the plan works without a car.
The real advantage
For anyone travelling without a car, the train has one concrete virtue: timetables are stable and stations are central. That makes the return leg easier to plan, and the return is what ruins most trips.
Operators
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EFE — Trenes de Chile (opens an external service in a new tab)
Official ticket sales and current services.
Reviewed: 2026-08-05