Santiago has a Mediterranean climate, so the most comfortable windows are the shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), when days are warm, skies are clear, and the wine harvest energizes the surrounding valleys. Summer (December to February) is hot and dry, with locals fleeing to the coast and many city restaurants quieter, while winter (June to August) is cool and occasionally smoggy in the basin but ideal for skiing at nearby Andean resorts. Time a visit around Fiestas Patrias (September 18) for empanadas, cueca dancing, and fondas, or the autumn grape harvest festivals if wine is your priority.

International flights land at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL), about 20 km northwest of the center; the official airport transfer buses (Centropuerto and Turbus) run to the city for a few dollars, while a vetted Uber or an official taxi runs roughly CLP 18,000 to 30,000 (around USD 20 to 32). In the city, the Metro is clean, cheap, and fast (a single ride is around CLP 800 to 990 with a rechargeable Bip! card) and covers nearly every neighborhood you will want. Walking is the joy of Lastarria, Bellavista, and Barrio Italia; for everything else, Uber and Cabify are reliable and inexpensive, and are generally safer than hailing a random street taxi.