Getting from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to the city

Two bus companies

Santiago's airport is served by two competing companies running overlapping routes, and their desks are side by side in arrivals.

• Centropuerto runs to Metro República and Turbus to Terminal Alameda; both also serve Pajaritos on metro line 1.
• Fares are a few thousand Chilean pesos - the cheapest way into any South American capital covered here.
• Every ten to fifteen minutes on weekdays with Centropuerto, 15 to 25 at weekends.
• Compare the two prices at the desks. They are usually close and occasionally not.

Chilean peso prices move, so read the fare at the counter rather than trusting a figure from a guide, this one included.

Onward by metro

• Pajaritos is on metro line 1, and Terminal Alameda has access to several metro lines.
• Line 1 runs along the Alameda through the centre and out to Providencia and Las Condes, where most visitors stay.
• Buy a Bip! card for the metro - it is the standard transport card and works on the metro and city buses.

Taxis and apps

• Book at an official desk inside the terminal if you want a car - transfer companies operate counters there with fixed prices.
• Uber, Cabify and DiDi all operate, from designated pick-up areas.
• Do not accept a ride offered to you in the arrivals hall.

The airport

• Arturo Merino Benitez is about 15 km northwest of the centre, in Pudahuel.
• The journey takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
• A new terminal has expanded the airport substantially in recent years, so older layout descriptions may not match what you find.