Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), often simply called Santiago Airport or Pudahuel, sits about 20 km northwest of central Santiago. It is a modern, well-organised airport, and two established bus operators plus app-based cabs cover the transfer reliably — with a metro extension eventually set to add a rail option.
Airport buses: Turbus and Centropuerto
Two long-running operators, Turbus and Centropuerto, run frequent coach services from the airport into central Santiago, both terminating near Pajaritos or other metro stations that connect onward across the city. Buses run every 10–15 minutes for most of the day, are comfortable and air-conditioned, and journey time is typically 35–50 minutes to the first metro connection, depending on traffic on the motorway into the city.
Fares are low, tickets are bought at counters in the arrivals hall or directly from the driver, and both companies are well signposted the moment you leave customs. Because the buses terminate at metro stations rather than deep in the city centre, most travellers combine the bus with a short metro or taxi hop to their final hotel — still a very affordable combination overall.
App-based cabs and taxis
Uber, Cabify and other ride-hailing apps operate at Santiago Airport from a designated pickup area, and are a popular choice for door-to-door convenience without the cost of a full private transfer. Official airport taxis are also available at marked ranks, typically metered or offering a set rate to central destinations. Journey time by road to the city centre or upmarket Providencia/Las Condes districts is typically 30–45 minutes outside peak hours, longer during the morning and evening rush.
The metro extension: what's coming
Santiago's excellent metro network does not yet reach the airport directly, but a new line extension connecting Pudahuel to the existing system has been in development for some time, intended to give a fast, traffic-free rail option all the way from the terminal. As with many large transit projects, opening timelines have moved, so it is worth checking current status closer to your trip rather than assuming it is running — for now, the Turbus and Centropuerto buses remain the dependable backbone of the airport transfer.
Car hire
Rental desks are available in the terminal, and Santiago's road network is easy to navigate by regional standards. A car is useful if your trip extends beyond the capital — to the wine valleys, the coast at Valparaíso, or south towards the Lakes District — but is unnecessary for a Santiago-only stay, where the metro, buses and app-based cabs cover the city comprehensively and parking downtown is limited.
Where the buses and cabs will take you
Central Santiago covers a fair spread of neighbourhoods, and it is worth thinking about your specific destination before choosing a mode. Turbus and Centropuerto both terminate at stations on Line 1 of the metro, which runs directly through Providencia and Las Condes, the business and upmarket residential districts popular with longer-stay visitors, as well as the historic centre. If your hotel sits directly on this line, the combination is genuinely convenient rather than just cheap. App-based cabs and official taxis, by contrast, go door to door regardless of which neighbourhood you are in, which matters more if you are staying somewhere off the metro network, such as Bellavista or the outer parts of Las Condes.
Late-night and early-morning arrivals
Turbus and Centropuerto both run into the evening but do not operate a full 24-hour service, so a late-night landing may rule out the bus option depending on your arrival time. App-based cabs and official taxis run around the clock and are the dependable choice outside normal bus operating hours — worth planning for if your flight is scheduled to land late at night or very early in the morning.
Choosing between the options
For most visitors, Turbus or Centropuerto combined with a short metro or taxi connection is the most economical and genuinely practical route into the city, and both are easy for first-time visitors to use straight off an international flight. An app-based cab is the better choice for late arrivals, groups, or anyone wanting a single door-to-door journey without a change of transport. Once the metro extension opens, it is likely to become the fastest option for destinations near its stations.
Practical tips for arriving at SCL
- Bus ticket counters and taxi ranks are clearly signed immediately outside the arrivals hall — you do not need to book in advance for either.
- Santiago sits in a valley and can have poor air quality in winter (May–August); this does not affect the transfer but is worth knowing if you have respiratory sensitivities.
- Have some Chilean pesos or a card ready for bus tickets; most counters and drivers accept card payment, but small cash is a useful backup.
- If your trip continues to Mendoza across the Andes, note that the overland route involves a mountain pass that can close temporarily in winter snow.
If you are continuing your trip from Santiago, see our guides to travelling from Santiago to Valparaíso and the Santiago to Mendoza route across the Andes. For visa and entry information across the region, see our overview of visa requirements across South America.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way from Santiago Airport to the city centre?
Turbus or Centropuerto buses are the most economical and reliable option, running every 10–15 minutes to metro stations that connect across the city. App-based cabs offer a more direct, door-to-door alternative at a higher cost.
Is there a train from Santiago Airport?
Not yet. A metro extension to the airport has been in development, but opening timelines have shifted, so check current status before relying on it. Bus services remain the dependable option for now.
How much does a taxi cost from Santiago Airport?
Official airport taxis are metered or offer a set rate to central destinations, similar in price to app-based cabs like Uber or Cabify, both of which operate from a designated pickup zone at the terminal.
Do the airport buses go all the way to my hotel?
Turbus and Centropuerto terminate at metro stations rather than deep into every neighbourhood, so most travellers combine the bus with a short metro ride or taxi to reach their final accommodation — still a very affordable overall journey.
Sources and further reading:
- Airport transport information: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Nuevo Pudahuel) official site.
- Bus routes and fares: Turbus and Centropuerto official sites.
- Metro network and expansion plans: Metro de Santiago official site.