Getting from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to the city

Two buses, one route

Santiago's airport is served by two competing companies running essentially the same service, and their desks are side by side in arrivals.

• Centropuerto and Turbus both run to Los Heroes metro station in the centre.
• Fares are a few thousand Chilean pesos - the cheapest way into any South American capital covered here.
• Every ten to fifteen minutes through the day.
• 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.

Los Heroes

• Metro lines 1 and 2 meet there.
• 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.