Santiago Airport (SCL) to the City: All Your Options
You’ve just landed after a long flight, cleared immigration and grabbed your bags… now, how do you get to your hotel? Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) is in the district of Pudahuel, about 20 km (12 miles) from downtown Santiago, and there are several ways to make the trip. This guide compares them honestly (bus, shared shuttle, official taxi, ride-hailing apps and private transfer) so you can pick the one that suits your arrival time, luggage and group.
Before you leave the airport
- SAG agricultural inspection: Chile screens luggage to protect its farming. Declare any plant or animal food products; when in doubt, declare.
- Cash and data: have some Chilean pesos or a card handy, plus a data plan or eSIM so you can message on WhatsApp.
- Ignore unofficial ride offers in the arrivals hall. Use the official counters, your booking or your app.
- Allow for traffic: the ride downtown usually takes 30 to 45 minutes; Providencia, Las Condes or Vitacura can take longer, and much longer at rush hour.
Option 1: airport bus plus metro
The cheapest option, and a good one if you travel light and land during the day.
Centropuerto
Very frequent departures from the airport (roughly every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays), connecting with Metro Line 1 at Pajaritos, Las Rejas, Universidad de Santiago, Estación Central and República. There’s also a route to Terminal Sur. It runs from about 6 am to 11 pm.
Tur Bus
Links the airport with Terminal Alameda, stopping at Line 1 stations such as Pajaritos, Las Rejas and Universidad de Santiago, with departures roughly every 20 minutes during the day.
Keep in mind: from the station you’ll continue by metro or car with your luggage, and the metro can be packed at rush hour. Timetables change, so check each company’s official website before you travel.
Option 2: shared shuttle
In the arrivals hall you’ll find transfer company counters offering shared vans and private cars. In a shared van you ride with other passengers and the van drops each one at their hotel, so the trip can take a while depending on the number of stops and traffic.
Option 3: official taxi
The airport has an official taxi service with its own counter. It’s direct and available around the clock. The key is to book it only at the official counter and turn down offers in the hall.
Option 4: ride-hailing apps
Ride-hailing apps also operate at SCL, but pick-up isn’t at the arrivals door: the app directs you to a designated meeting point (in recent years, on the arrivals level). Follow the in-app instructions calmly. With lots of luggage or small children it can be awkward, as there’s no guaranteed space and no child seats.
Option 5: pre-booked private transfer
The most comfortable choice, especially if:
- you land late at night or in the early hours, when buses have stopped;
- you’re travelling with kids, older relatives or lots of luggage;
- you’re a large group and want to travel together;
- you want to go straight to Viña del Mar, Valparaíso or another city.
With our private Santiago airport (SCL) transfer, the vehicle is exclusively for your group, we track your flight in real time (if it’s early or late, we adjust) and we help with your bags. It runs 24/7 with advance booking, and you can request child seats when you ask for a quote. We have vehicles for anything from one passenger to groups of more than 50: sedan, SUV, vans, Sprinter, minibus and coach. The fare is agreed before the trip and you receive a formal confirmation, so there are no surprises on arrival.
Which option suits you? Quick summary
| Your situation | Most practical choice |
|---|---|
| Travelling solo, light luggage, daytime arrival | Bus + metro |
| Arriving late at night or before dawn | Private transfer or official taxi |
| Family with kids or lots of luggage | Private transfer (ask for child seats) |
| Group of 5 or more | Private transfer by van or minibus |
| Heading straight to Viña del Mar or Valparaíso | Private intercity transfer |
| Business trip on a tight schedule | Executive transfer |
The return trip: hotel to airport
For international flights, airlines usually recommend arriving about 3 hours before departure. Add the drive time plus a buffer for traffic, especially in the morning and late afternoon. If your flight leaves in the early hours, book your transfer in advance, since there are no buses at that time.
Make the most of your days in Santiago
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to explore. Our private Santiago city tour is an easy way to see La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, the Central Market and the Santa Lucía and San Cristóbal hills in a single day. And if you arrive with time to spare, some tours can start with an airport pick-up, so just ask. See all our private transfers in Santiago.
FAQ
How far is Santiago airport from the city center?
About 20 km (12 miles). Without traffic, the ride downtown takes 30 to 45 minutes; Providencia or Las Condes can take longer, and much longer at rush hour.
Is there a metro from Santiago airport?
There’s no metro station at the airport. The Centropuerto and Tur Bus airport buses connect with Line 1 stations such as Pajaritos and Universidad de Santiago.
Is there transport late at night?
Airport buses run from about 6 am to 11 pm. Outside those hours, your options are the official taxi, ride-hailing apps or a pre-booked private transfer, which operates 24/7.
What if my flight is delayed?
If you’ve booked a private transfer with us, we track your flight in real time and adjust the pick-up time if it’s late or early.
Can you take me straight to Viña del Mar or Valparaíso?
Yes. We run private transfers from the airport to destinations in and outside Santiago, including Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. Quotes depend on the number of passengers, the vehicle and the date.
Do you have child seats?
Yes, just request them when you ask for a quote for your private transfer.
Book your transfer
Want a stress-free arrival in Santiago? Send us a WhatsApp at +56 9 9070 1335 with your flight number, arrival time, destination address and the number of passengers and bags, and we’ll send you a quote. Our guests rate us 5.0 on Google (61 reviews).