San Cristobal Hill (Cerro San Cristobal) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience San Cristobal Hill. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Cable Car, Funicular, and Sightseeing Bus in Santiago One Day

• Discover Santiago: Tourist Bus, Cerro San Cristobal, and Wine

• Cable Car, Funicular, and Sightseeing Bus in Santiago Two Days

• Private Tour: Half-Day Santiago Discovery

• Santiago Skyline: Cable Car & San Cristobal Walking Tour

While it’s free to climb to the summit of San Cristobal Hill, most travelers tend to save their energy and take the cable car or the historic funicular. For the cable car, prices vary depending on the route and day of your trip, and whether you opt for round-trip rides, but tickets start at 2,000 Chilean pesos.

Yes, San Cristobal Hill is worth visiting—there's a good reason that it's one of Santiago's top attractions. From its summit, you can admire panoramic views of the capital and the Andes, and see a bright white, 45-foot (14-meter) statue of the Virgin Mary. The ride or climb to the top is part of the fun, and visitors also enjoy the street food stands and activity-filled surroundings of Metropolitan Park.

Per one customer who booked the Santiago: Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour with Chauffeur and Guide, "Great experience! Both the driver and the guide were fantastic! JP was really informative and had a great sense of humor. You get to spend a good amount of time on San Cristobal Hill with magnificent views of the city (you will take the funicular up and then a cable car down). The other stops are fun too! If you plan to have lunch or dinner afterward, you could see if they can drop you off near Bellavista or Barrio Lastarria, both neighborhoods have lots of good dining options."

Yes, guided tours of San Cristobal Hill (Cerro San Cristobal) are available. The hill is often included within itineraries of many Santiago highlights tours, with some including transportation and/or tickets for the San Cristobal funicular or cable car.

Yes, you can hike up San Cristobal Hill. Several trails, with varying levels of difficulty, offer beautiful views of Santiago. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water if planning to hike. If you’re a cyclist, there are mountain bike tours available, which can include bike hire.

Much of the landmarks on San Cristobal Hill are open between 6am and 7pm, although this varies between attractions. From Tuesday to Sunday, the funicular operates from 10am–6:45pm, and on Mondays from 1pm–6:45pm. The cable car runs Tuesday through Sunday, 10am–6:45pm. Note that the funicular closes on the first Monday of every month for maintenance.

To reach San Cristobal Hill, walk from Baquedano metro station to Pío Nono station and take the funicular to the top. Alternatively, you can walk from the Los Leones L1 metro station to the cable car station and ascend the summit. Other options include hiking, cycling, taxis, a tour, or a hop-on hop-off bus.

The best time to visit San Cristobal Hill is in the late morning or late afternoon, when the weather is pleasant. Avoid midday heat if possible, especially in the summer months from December to February. The city’s smog is less visible earlier and later in the day, allowing for spectacular, unobstructed views.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting San Cristobal Hill. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Santiago:

• Viña del Mar

• La Moneda Palace 

• Plaza de Armas

• Santa Lucia Hill

• Concha y Toro Winery

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Santiago.