Air
Concepción airport is north of the city, off the main road to Talcahuano. In summer, there are flights daily to and from Santiago (fewer in winter); and connections to Temuco, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas.
Airline offices
LanChile, O’Higgins 648, T041-224 8824; Aerolíneas Argentinas, O’Higgins 650, of 602.
Bicycle
Spares and repairs from Ojeda, Salas 283.
Bus
Local
Línea Azul and Costa Azul buses from Concepción pass through the villages north of the city, which can also be reached cheaply by colectivo (every 15-20 mins).
To Talcahuano, frequent service 30 mins, US$1.50; colectivos leave San Martín every 2 mins. Services to Coronel, US$1, Lota, Lebu, Cañete, Tirúa and Contulmo leave from the main terminal.
Long distance
The main terminal is known as Terminal Collao, 2 km east, Av Gral Bonilla, next to the football and athletics stadium.Many buses to the city centre, US$0.70, taxi US$4.
TurBus, Línea Azul and Buses Bío Bío services leave from Terminal Camilo Henríquez, 2 km northeast of main terminal on J M García, reached by buses from Av Maipú in centre, via Terminal Collao.
To Santiago, 8 companies, 6 hrs, US$15-30; to Valparaíso, 8 hrs, US$18 (most go via Santiago). To Puerto Montt several companies, about 10 hrs, US$17-30; to Pucón direct in summer only, 6 hrs, US$18; to Valdivia, 7 hrs, US$13-25, TurBus only; to Los Angeles, every 30 mins, US$4.
Best direct bus to Chillán is Línea Azul, 2 hrs, US$3. For a longer, more scenic route, take the Costa Azul bus, which follows the old railway line, through Tomé, Coelemu and Nipas on to Chillán (part dirt-track, takes 5½ hrs).
Car
Car hire
Avis, Chacabuco 726, T041-223 5837; Budget, Castellón 134, T041-222 5377; Dollar, at airport, T041-248 3661; Full famas, O’Higgins 1154, T041-224 8300, airport T09-9440 3300; Hertz, Prat 248, T041-223 0341.
Automóvil Club de Chile, O’Higgins 630, of 303, T041-224 5884.
Train
The station is at Prat y Barros Arana, T041-222 6925,
http://www.efe.cl. Direct long-distance services to Santiago are currently suspended although there is a bus that connects with the northbound train service from Chillán. Local services to Laja and Yumbel, and suburban trains to Talcahuano and Chiguayante. Booking offices at the station and at Galería Alessandri, Aníbal Pinto 478, local 3, T041-222 5286.
Concepción videos
