Santiago Airport Transfer (SCL)

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (IATA: SCL) is Chile's primary gateway and the country's only international hub, 22 kilometres north-west of central Santiago in Pudahuel. Terminal 2, opened in 2024, handles long-haul international traffic; Terminal 1 retains domestic routes. The airport is accessed via the A-5 Norte motorway and the Costanera Norte expressway; rush-hour transfer times can add 15 to 25 minutes on the Costanera Norte. Uber and Cabify are legal at SCL with a designated pickup floor one level above arrivals. Centropuerto and TurBus Aeropuerto public buses run to central Santiago for ~USD 2.50. A LocalsRide private car meets you at arrivals with a name sign; the USD fare is locked at booking.

SCL Transfer Times

Las Condes and Costanera Center: 22 km, 30–50 min. Providencia: 20 km, 25–45 min. Vitacura: 22 km, 30–45 min. Bellavista: 18 km, 25–45 min. Lastarria and historic centre: 20 km, 28–48 min. Barrio Italia: 22 km, 30–50 min. Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: 115–120 km, 1.5 hours. Cajón del Maipo (El Yeso): 75 km, 1.25 hours. Valle Nevado ski resort: 70 km, 1.5–2 hours. Casablanca wine valley: 85 km, 1 hour. Isla Negra (Neruda house): 150 km, 2 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my flight arrives at SCL Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?

Long-haul international flights (Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, the new one-stop Middle East routes) generally use Terminal 2. Latin American regional flights and Chilean domestic routes use Terminal 1. Your airline's booking confirmation lists the terminal — LATAM operates from both depending on flight. The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle and by an internal walkway; total transit between them is 10 to 15 minutes. Pre-booked private transfers meet at the arrivals hall of your specific terminal.

Is there a proper taxi rank at SCL or do I need to pre-book?

SCL has an official metered taxi rank outside arrivals plus the Uber/Cabify pickup zone one level above. Airport taxis are regulated and legitimate — the fake-taxi problem common at some Latin American airports is less pronounced at SCL. For arrivals at unusual hours, for groups with ski or trekking equipment, or for direct transfers to Valparaíso, Valle Nevado or the Andes ski resorts, a pre-booked private car with a locked USD fare is the simpler option.