Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), commonly called Pudahuel Airport, serves Santiago, Chile's capital and largest city. Located 17 km northwest of the city center, it's Chile's main international gateway and hub for LATAM Airlines.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 (domestic and some international) and Terminal 2 (international). A new terminal is under construction.

Key airlines: LATAM (hub), Sky Airline, JetSmart, American, Delta, United, Iberia, Air France, and various carriers.

SCL is northwest of Santiago:

• To Santiago Centro: 17 km, 25-45 minutes
• To Providencia: 20 km, 30-50 minutes
• To Las Condes: 22 km, 35-55 minutes
• To Bellavista: 18 km, 30-45 minutes
• To Valparaíso: 120 km, 1.5 hours

Traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hours.

Uber operates in Santiago.

• To city center: $15-25 USD
• To Providencia: $20-30

Official airport taxis (Transvip, Transfer Delfos):

• Fixed rates by zone
• To Santiago Centro: $25-35
• Counters in arrivals

Centropuerto Bus

Centropuerto express buses connect to Santiago:

• Route: Airport → Pajaritos Metro → Universidad de Santiago → Los Héroes Metro
• Journey time: 30-45 minutes
• Frequency: Every 10 minutes
• Cost: CLP 1,900 (~$2)

Connect to the Metro at any of these stations for city destinations.

TurBus Airport

TurBus also operates airport service to the bus terminal and Metro connections.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Covered	$25/day	Terminal adjacent
Open	$15/day	Shuttle available

SCL has extensive dining:

Terminal 2 (International):

• Chilean restaurants
• International options
• Cafés and bars
• Fast food

Terminal 1 (Domestic):

• Fewer options
• Quick service

Network: SCL Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Good
• Registration may be required

SIM cards from:

• Entel, Movistar, WOM, Claro shops
• Prices: $10-20 for prepaid with data

ATMs in both terminals.

Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP). Approximately 900 CLP = 1 USD.

Credit cards widely accepted in Santiago.

• Duty-free (good selection)
• Chilean wine
• Lapis lazuli jewelry
• Copper crafts
• Souvenirs

LATAM VIP Lounge

• Access: LATAM Premium Business, oneworld Sapphire+
• Amenities: Full Chilean buffet, pisco sours, excellent wines

Priority Pass Lounges

• Multiple options including Pacific Club
• Good amenities

Hotels in Providencia, Las Condes, or Santiago Centro. The airport is 25-50 minutes from main hotel areas.

Santiago is a modern metropolis between the Andes and the Pacific—world-class wine, vibrant culture, and gateway to Chile's extraordinary landscapes:

Santiago attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Cerro San Cristóbal: 40 min—hilltop park, funicular, city views
• La Moneda Palace: 35 min—presidential palace, Pinochet's coup site
• Mercado Central: 35 min—fish market, seafood restaurants
• Barrio Lastarria: 40 min—trendy neighborhood, cafés, museums
• Bellavista: 40 min—bohemian quarter, Neruda's house, nightlife

Wine country (essential!):

• Maipo Valley: 1 hour—Cabernet Sauvignon country, Concha y Toro
• Casablanca Valley: 1.5 hours—white wines, between Santiago and coast
• Colchagua Valley: 2 hours—premium reds, boutique wineries
• Wine tours easily arranged from Santiago

Day trips from Santiago:

• Valparaíso: 1.5 hours—UNESCO port city, street art, funiculars
• Viña del Mar: 1.5 hours—beach resort, gardens
• Cajón del Maipo: 1 hour—Andean canyon, hiking, hot springs
• Portillo/Valle Nevado: 2 hours—skiing (June-October)

Beyond Santiago:

• Atacama Desert: 1.5-hour flight—driest desert, stargazing
• Patagonia: 3.5-hour flight—Torres del Paine, glaciers
• Easter Island: 5-hour flight—mysterious moai statues
• Lake District: 1.5-hour flight—volcanoes, lakes, German heritage

Food & drink:

• Chilean wine: World-class; Carménère is the signature grape
• Pisco sour: National cocktail—Chilean vs Peruvian debate
• Empanadas de pino: Meat-filled pastries
• Pastel de choclo: Corn casserole with meat
• Curanto: Seafood and meat pit-cooked (Chiloé)
• Completo: Chilean hot dog (loaded)

Local tips:

• Wine quality: Chile produces excellent wine at good prices
• Santiago smog: Winter inversions trap pollution; mountains sometimes not visible
• Earthquakes: Common; buildings are designed for them
• Safe city: Santiago is one of Latin America's safest capitals
• Providencia/Las Condes: Modern, upscale areas for hotels
• Bellavista: Nightlife, Pablo Neruda's La Chascona house
• Pisco controversy: Both Chile and Peru claim it—enjoy both versions
• Desert-to-glacier: Chile's geography is extraordinary
• Summer (December-February) is best; winter can be smoggy
• The Andes backdrop on clear days is spectacular