Santiago Chile Airport: Everything You Need to Know

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It’s very likely that your adventures in the Atacama Desert and Patagonia will start at Santiago Chile Airport. 

Officially the Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez, Santiago Airport is located in the Pudahuel commune west of the capital. It’s a hub for LATAM Airlines, Sky Airlines, and JetSmart.

Direct flights connect Santiago with South American and European countries as well as New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami in the United States. 

As far as airports go, Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is up there in the top 10. It unveiled a spanking new terminal in 2022 and is beautifully equipped with all the amenities necessary for a smooth landing in this remote country at the bottom of South America.

But, the best thing about the airport in Santiago, Chile, is that you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the Andes as you descend or ascend out of the terminal. 

However, how to get to Santiago from Santiago Airport (and vice versa) is rather confusing. Plus, there are certain elements of the immigration process that could catch you out. Let’s dive in with everything you need to know in order to breeze through Santiago Airport in Chile.

Terminals at Santiago Chile Airport

Santiago Airport (airport code SCL) comprises two terminals: the Domestic Terminal (Nacionales) and the International Terminal (Internacionales or Nuevo Pudahuel). These sit a 10-minute walk from one another although there is a shuttle bus if you need it. 

If you’re flying in from overseas, you’ll arrive at the International Terminal (Terminal 1). Terminal 2, the Domestic Terminal, is where you’ll need to go if you’re venturing onwards to Calama (for San Pedro de Atacama), Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, and Easter Island.

Because Terminal 2 was once the sole terminal, it feels huge and is well-appointed with facilities. It’s not a bad place to spend a couple of hours brushing up on Duolingo or flicking through a book. 

 

Amenities at SCL

Both terminals are provisioned with all the usual facilities: ATMs, currency exchange booths, charging zones, and duty-free shopping. There’s a good mix of restaurants and cafes as well as familiar brands such as McDonald’s and Starbucks. 

Free Wi-Fi is provided on the “Nuevo Pudahuel” network. I’ve never had any issues with the internet service although I recommend using a VPN on public wireless.

Avis, Europcar, and Chilean Rent A Car are stationed at the airport if you want to arrange car hire. 

There are several lounges where you can while away a layover or delayed flight. Rates and booking are available through Priority Pass. Note that there aren’t any luggage storage facilities at the airport in Santiago.

Arriving at the Airport in Santiago, Chile 

Welcome to Chile – a country with a fondness for paperwork!

One of the first things you’ll need to do upon arrival at Santiago Airport is to complete a “Declaración Jurada de ingreso a Chile”. Otherwise known as a SAG affidavit, this is a protocol imposed by the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero.

It’s a requirement that you declare certain food products on this form, such as fruits, vegetables, and animal products. It’s used to prevent the entry of pests and diseases that could harm Chilean agriculture.

With that in mind, it’s best to eat any of this type of produce prior to disembarkment. If you do have anything that you’re unsure of, it’s wise just to declare it to the staff. That way, the staff will tell you if you need to dispose of anything. Chile is such a beautiful place with fragile ecosystems so it’s great to see this in place.

You can complete this form on your smartphone or on a printed form. These aren’t handed out on the plane but they are located in the terminal between the runway and immigration.

The Wi-Fi at Santiago Airport does tend to work pretty well but it’s often easier to just go for the printed version to save fiddling around on the phone. Both the paper and digital versions are available in Spanish and English.

The checkpoint for the SAG affidavit is after clearing immigration and baggage claims. You’ll either flash the digital form on your phone or hand in the paper one.

Immigration at Santiago de Chile Airport

Chile’s land and air borders are managed by the Policía de Investigaciones de Chile (Investigations Police of Chile). The PDI immigration booths are generally very well-staffed and it’s quite speedy to clear. Even if the line looks long, it should move along fast. 

In general, the PDI agents will first speak to you in Spanish but switch to English if needed. 

The agent will ask you about your plans in Chile. Typical questions include the purpose of travel and the destinations you intend on traveling to.

They’ll likely ask you how long you intend on staying in Chile although it’s rare to be asked to show proof of exit. They will also ask for your address – this can be whatever hotel or Airbnb you have booked for your first night. It’s not necessary to display a full itinerary but it’s handy to have details of your accommodation to hand. 

As well as stamping your passport, the agent will give you a slip of paper that looks like a receipt. This is the same setup as it used to be at the Mexico City Airport; you need to keep this piece of paper safe and return it to immigration when you leave Chile. This applies if you’re leaving via an overland border, too. 

If you lose this piece of paper, you will need to visit a PDI station and request a reprint. It happens a lot – especially if your Chile itinerary features lots of internal flights. 

If you land in Santiago Airport on a domestic flight then you simply collect your luggage and follow the signs for the exit. 

Flying out of Santiago

Suggested arrival times at the airport in Santiago de Chile tend to be two to three hours for national departures and three to four hours for international flights.

Both terminals display signage in Spanish and English and it’s easy to locate your airline kiosk if you need to check in or drop a bag. There are lots of self-service booths where you can print off your boarding pass before heading to security.

Each terminal has one security checkpoint. The lines can be quite long but generally, they move quickly. This airport doesn’t seem too strict about removing electronic items, liquids, belts, or shoes as with airports in the United States or the United Kingdom. However, it’s good to be prepared when packing for Chile.  

How to get to Santiago from Santiago Airport by Bus

Santiago Airport is located around 11 miles (18 km) west of Plaza de Armas, the geographical center of Santiago. When you arrive at the airport in Santiago you have the option of taking a bus, taxi, or shared/private transfer to the city. 

Buses to Santiago are operated by Turbus and Centropuerto and give you the choice of the Pajaritos metro station or Estación Central. If you’re connecting onwards to Valparaíso or Viña del Mar, it’s best to alight at Pajaritos and swap buses there. Otherwise, you can alight at Estación Central. Exercise caution at both stations as pickpocketing is rife. 

A one-way ticket costs around 2,000 CLP (a little over $2 USD). You’ll pay for your ticket at the booth and show the receipt when boarding. 

There is also a service run by RED Movilidad but payment is only with Bip! card, the method used across Santiago’s public transport system. 

The official airport bus terminal is a five-minute walk from the domestic terminal. It’s clearly marked when you leave baggage claim, but essentially you’ll cross the road and follow it to the right and it’ll appear just around the side of the car park. 

If you arrive at the international terminal, you will be able to board at a bus stop just outside the terminal. Leave the exit out of the concourse and cross the road where taxis line up.

Again, take a right and you’ll come to a green sign advertising the “Parada” – bus stop. It is a little tricky to locate so keep your eyes peeled for a passing bus and follow it. There will be staff at the bus stop who will sell you a ticket to Metro Pajaritos or Estación Central. 

It takes around 25 minutes to reach Pajaritos and 45-60 minutes for Estación Central.

Taxis at Santiago Airport 

In order to make things easier and safer for arriving travelers, Santiago Airport has introduced a controlled taxi system known as Vía Controlada.

This is supposed to ensure that passengers know the fare ahead of getting in the cab and that only licensed drivers operate. It’s specifically designed for tourists and all cabs are blue vehicles. For these, you’ll receive a quote for the price depending on where you are going and you pay for your ride at the service booth in the arrivals area. 

Fares typically cost around 20,000 CLP ($22 USD) but this will fluctuate based on the time of day.

In addition, regular black and yellow metered taxis line up outside the two terminals. It’ll be easier to travel by metered taxi if you speak Spanish and are already familiar with Santiago.

All in all, it’s far safer to use the Vía Controlada taxi system. Unfortunately, there have been reports of rogue taxi drivers picking up travelers, taking them to ATMs, and holding them at gunpoint. 

There are also unlicensed taxi drivers lurking in the arrivals area who are aggressive and known to follow travelers around the concourse despite being told no. 

This happened to me once when I was alone and politely declined a taxi offer and was followed to the bathroom. The next time I arrived after a solo trip, I didn’t acknowledge the drivers and walked straight toward the exit. They tend not to make an approach when I arrive with my partner so I reckon solo travelers are the main target.

Using Uber (or Cabify) at Santiago Chile Airport 

Uber works well in Chile and is an alternative option as the Wi-Fi makes it easy to hail one. There aren’t any issues about calling an Uber at Santiago Airport.

In fact, the airport website recommends the app alongside the blue tourist taxis. Cabify and DiDi are more common in Chile although they’re almost impossible to open an account with if you’re a foreigner. If you have a Chilean RUT/RUN then this is a great app to install ahead of travel. 

An Uber downtown will cost 8,000-16,500 CLP ($8-18 USD).

How to Book a Transfer Service to Santiago

The Santiago Airport website has a function for booking a meet-and-greet private transfer system. This is linked with reputable agents and certified drivers. Prices vary based on the vehicle but the amount quoted applies to the booking per vehicle. 

It’s also possible to book a private transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago through GetYourGuide or Viator. After collecting you from the arrivals area, these VIP services will drop you at your hotel or Airbnb. They operate around the clock and charge $25-$30 per person. 

It’s the most expensive means of getting to Santiago. However, a transfer service is definitely a safer and more reliable option if you’re landing late at night. Safety in Chile is a concern in Santiago in particular. Having a pre-booked transfer also saves you from getting stung by an Uber surge.

Santiago Chile Airport Hotels

As airport buses do not operate around the clock and Santigo isn’t the safest place at night, it’s worth considering staying at the Santiago Airport hotel if you have a late or early flight. 

Bridging the two terminals, the Holiday Inn Hotel Santiago Airport is located within walking distance of both. This is a comfortable hotel with great staff and day-use rates. It has such amenities as an indoor pool, gym, Jacuzzi, and restaurant serving breakfast and Chilean food.

Alternatively, you could book a room at one of the airport hotels just on the edge of the airport. Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport and La Quinta by Wyndham Santiago Aeropuerto are a 10-minute drive from the terminals. Both hotels offer a shuttle service but you’ll want to check the schedule before booking a night.