Take note: These are the tourist trains that will be available this summer
Ten tourist trains will be operating across the State Railway Company (EFE) network these summer vacations. They will be operated directly by the company’s subsidiaries, as well as by corporations or municipal authorities, as is the case of Temuco.
An unmissable experience for these summer vacations will be without doubt the tourist trains, which are fully operating once more following a break caused by the pandemic.
There will be ten services in total throughout the country. They will be operated directly by EFE subsidiaries, as well as by corporations or municipal authorities, as is the case of Temuco.
Most of the projects include associations with local entrepreneurs - coordinated by the National Tourism Service (SERNATUR) -, who will wait for the trains to pass through stations such as San Rosendo, Talcamávida, TilTil or Malvilla to offer the best of their gastronomy and traditional handicrafts.
This summer 2023, EFE, its subsidiaries and the operators hope to offer a range of tourist services covering various destinations.
Tourist train season itinerary
Arica and Parinacota Region: EFE Arica-La Paz
In 2017, the EFE subsidiary Arica - La Paz started a tourist route between the regional capital and the town of Poconchile, in the middle of the Lluta Valley. On this tour, you can see the Las Colcas geoglyphs or visit the church of San Gerónimo, which dates to the 18th century.
The Arica-Poconchile tourist train will depart on Saturday, January 14 and 28, and February 11 and 25 from the Maestranza Chinchorro station. Tickets start at $13,900 Chilean pesos (US$15.80), and children and seniors pay $9,900 pesos (US$11.25). Tickets can be purchased at www.efe.cl.
Valparaíso Region: Góndola Carril (EFE-Corporación Patrimonio Ferroviario)
The Góndola Carril (Gondola Railway) is a heritage tourist service that has operated between Los Andes and Río Blanco during autumn, winter and spring months for 20 years. It travels for 34 kilometers along the track that was part of the old Central Transandino Railroad, which connected Los Andes with Mendoza in Argentina.
It is an old bus dating from the 1920s, which has a capacity for 27 people on double seats. It was traditionally used to carry tourists to the Hotel Portillo, and later for road maintenance work. Tickets are $45,000 pesos (US$51.30), and include lunch. The next departures are scheduled for January 15 and 29. Tickets can be purchased at www.trendelrecuerdo.cl.
Valparaíso and Metropolitan Region: Tren del Recuerdo Santiago-San Antonio (Corporación Patrimonio Ferroviario)
The Tren del Recuerdo (Memorial Train) – which in 2023 celebrates 12 years in operation – evokes the old train journey that has linked Santiago with San Antonio since the beginning of the 20th century. It has first-class and saloon cars dating from the 1920s and 1930s.
The journey to San Antonio lasts 3 hours 30 minutes, and the same time should be considered for the return trip. In Malvilla, the train is boarded by local entrepreneurs from the SERNATUR program, who offer passengers products characteristic of the area. The Tren de Recuerdo runs every Saturday during the summer, beginning on January 7. Tickets can be purchased with credit and debit cards at www.trendelrecuerdo.cl. Inquiries can be made at informaciones@trendelrecuerdo.cl or by phone at 22 585 5991. Tickets start at $28,900 pesos (US$32.95) and include breakfast and an evening snack.
Valparaíso Region: Tren del Recuerdo Santiago-Limache (Corporación Patrimonio Ferroviario)
This route is unique as it takes in the highest point on the central railway network and the Aconcagua Valley. It evokes the old journey to Valparaíso, which can be made today by combining it with the EFE Valparaíso service (travel card included). The route travels 143 kilometers, leaving Santiago’s Estación Central before passing through the Matucana Tunnel and stopping at towns such as TilTil, where local entrepreneurs board. Tickets start at $30,900 pesos (US$35.25) and include breakfast and an evening snack. Departures on the Alameda-Limache route will be monthly; the first will be on January 14 and the next on February 11. Tickets can be purchased at www.trendelrecuerdo.cl.
Flavors of Maule San Javier, Wine Route (EFE Central)
This route is a way of getting to know the country’s wine culture by train, with a full program between Santiago and San Javier in the Maule Region. There you will visit the Balduzzi and Las Veletas vineyards. Wine tasting and snacks are included, as well as a traditional folk show, visits to the vineyards and lunch.
Departures 8:45 am.
Saturday, January 7 and 21, 2023
Saturday, February 4 and 25, 2023
Tickets cost $68,000 pesos (US$77.50) in saloon class and $76,000 (US$86.65) in first-class. They can be purchased at www.efe.cl.
Buscarril Talca Constitución branch (EFE Central)
With almost 100 years of history, the Talca – Constitución train service journeys into the depths of rural Chile. It extends for 88 kilometers, bordering the north bank of the Maule River for 2 hours 45 minutes and passing through towns such as Talca, Maule, Pencahue and Constitución in the Maule Region. The route connects isolated towns where the train is the only means of public transport to take people to the city.
The route has 11 stops, and connects with the long-distance Chillán - Estación Central train at Talca. Tickets between Talca and Constitución cost $2,250 (US$2.50) for Chileans. They can be purchased in person in Talca or at www.efe.cl.
Chillán – Estación Central train, new schedules (EFE Central)
The Chillán - Estación Central service will enjoy a summer at full speed ahead. It will increase its schedule to offer up to eight daily services from the capital of Ñuble to Santiago, passing through San Carlos, Parral, Linares, Talca, Curicó, San Fernando and Rancagua.
The train has a capacity for 180 passengers, saloon and first-class options, and a café that is open throughout the journey.
Tickets start at $17,900 pesos (US$20.40) and can be purchased at www.efe.cl.
Santiago-Concepción Night Train (Corporación Patrimonio Ferroviario)
The night train between Santiago and Concepción offers an alternative during high-demand summer weekends and special holidays for those traveling between Santiago and the Biobío Region, who can experience this traditional journey with all the comfort and safety that the railway provides at night.
The train has three classes: tourist; saloon; and first-class. It also has air conditioning, reclining seats and a dining car. Tickets start at $19,900 pesos (US$22.70) and can be purchased at www.tren.cl.
For 2023, departures will be at 10:30pm every Friday from January 13 until Easter, returning from Concepción at 9:20pm every Sunday. Alternative schedules will be released for long weekends.
Biobío Region: Corto Laja tourist train (EFE Sur)
EFE Sur has launched a series of trips to traditional and historic destinations in order to promote tourism in the area. Destinations include Laja, Penco’s beaches and the commemoration of San Sebastián at Yumbel. It should be noted that the journeys to Penco and Yumbel will be on the Santiago – Concepción heritage night train. Fares are currently under evaluation and can be purchased at www.tren.cl.
Three Historic Destinations: PENCO – YUMBEL – RENAICO
January 14, 2023 Tourist train to Laja, Trilla and Yegua Suelta
January 21, 2023 Tourist train to Yumbel
January 28, 2023 Tourist train to Penco
February 4, 2023 Tourist train to Penco
February 11, 2023 Tourist train to Laja
February 18, 2023 2 special services to Laja, Fiesta Viva Laja Festival
February 19, 2023 2 special services to Laja, Fiesta Viva Laja Festival
February 25, 2023 Tourist train to Penco
Araucanía train, Temuco-Victoria (Pablo Neruda Museum, Temuco)
This is a historic service on a 1930 steam locomotive built in Philadelphia: the N°820. It is the largest machine operating in Chile and South America.
The tourist train began operating in 2006. It has first-class cars and a dining car, dating from the 1930s, 1955 and 1975. They have been classified as National Monuments since 2008.
The train departs from the Pablo Neruda Railway Museum in Temuco, and makes the journey to Victoria through the towns of Lautaro and Perquenco, passing through natural areas that can only be seen by train.
Trips for the summer season are close to being scheduled and tickets can be purchased at the Pablo Neruda Railway Museum in Temuco.