Getting There

By Plane -- Chillán is served by the Aeropuerto Carriel Sur (CCP; tel. 041/748-879) in Concepción, about an hour away. There are direct flights here from Santiago several times daily from LAN and Sky Airline. If you've made hotel reservations at Termas de Chillán, their transfer service will pick you up and take you directly there. If not, you must take a taxi to the bus terminal, where buses for Chillán leave every 20 minutes.

By Bus -- Línea Sur and TurBus offer daily service from most major cities, including Santiago. The trip from Santiago takes about 5 to 6 hours and costs $11 (£7.35) one-way. The bus terminal in Chillán is located at Av. O'Higgins 010, and from there you can grab a bus for the Termas.

By Train -- EFE (Terrasur) offers a truly enjoyable 4 1/2-hour train journey from Santiago, leaving from the Estación Central, and arriving in Chillán at the station at Calle Brasil (tel. 600/585-5000; www.efe.cl). This modern train speeds through scenic orchards and farmland, much of it still tilled by horse, with changing views of the Andes. One-way fares cost $19 to $22 (£13-£15) for a salón coach, and $29 to $55 (£19-£37) for a "preferente" coach with reclining seats. There are three to five daily trips, and a dining car with snacks, sandwiches, and beverages.

Visitor Information

Sernatur can be found at 18 de Septiembre 455 (tel. 42/223272); it's open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 1:30pm and 3 to 6pm, and closed on weekends.

Come with Cash

Note that there are no ATMs anywhere in Termas de Chillán or Las Trancas, so do your banking beforehand and bring a credit card.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.