City in Coquimbo, Chile
Getting around La Serena
How to get around La Serena
The centre is walkable. Micros, colectivos and Uber link the beaches and Coquimbo; Elqui Valley trips need a tour, colectivo or rental car.
Ways to get around La Serena
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Micro bus | Flat fare, pay on board | Frequent buses along Avenida del Mar and to Coquimbo |
| Colectivo | Fixed fare per route | Shared taxis on fixed routes; ask the driver for the stop |
| Uber / taxi | About 4,000–7,000 CLP in town | Easy for the beach strip and late nights |
| Bus to Vicuña | Varies by operator | About 1 h from the terminal; onward colectivos to Pisco Elqui |
Ride-hailing apps in La Serena
A 5 km ride costs about $4,000–7,000 ($4.1–7.1).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Operates 24 h in La Serena and Coquimbo |
- Taxis are metered but check the fare; colectivos are cheap. Book Elqui Valley tours and drivers in advance in summer.
Arriving in La Serena
La Florida (LSC)
About 5 km from the centre, 15–20 min: taxi roughly 5,000–10,000 CLP, Uber, or airport transfer vans. Santiago flights take about 1 h 15.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Not common for visitors. Bikes and rental cars are easier for coast and valley trips.
- Driving: on the right. Visitors may drive with their home licence plus an IDP; rental companies and police checks may ask for both.
- Onward travel in Chile: Comfortable long-distance buses (Turbus, Pullman) run the length of the country; flights with LATAM, Sky or JetSMART save days to Patagonia and the north.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in La Serena?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber.
What's the best way to get around La Serena?
The centre is walkable. Micros, colectivos and Uber link the beaches and Coquimbo; Elqui Valley trips need a tour, colectivo or rental car.
How do I get from the airport to La Serena?
About 5 km from the centre, 15–20 min: taxi roughly 5,000–10,000 CLP, Uber, or airport transfer vans. Santiago flights take about 1 h 15.
Is La Serena walkable?
Walkable center.
More about La Serena
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Sources
- Turbus
- Pullman Bus
- EFE Trenes de Chile
- Recorrido.cl (bus tickets)
- La Florida Airport (DGAC Chile)
- Sernatur Chile
- Municipalidad de La Serena
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.