The Centropuerto bus into Santiago is CLP 2,400 against CLP 27,000 for an official taxi. Buy the taxi or transfer at a counter inside, never from someone who approaches you.
- The Centropuerto bus into Santiago is CLP 2,400 and takes 45 to 60 minutes to Pajaritos and Los Heroes metro, against CLP 27,000 for an official taxi.
- Buy any taxi or shared van at a counter inside the terminal. The FCDO specifically warns about Santiago airport taxi fraud - inflated fares, extra digits and card readers rigged to capture your PIN.
- Never accept a lift from someone who approaches you in the hall. Every legitimate operator has a desk.
- Immigration, then the tourist card, then the SAG agricultural check with dogs and X-ray - have the declaration QR ready. Airport ATMs charge CLP 3,500 to CLP 6,000, so withdraw a decent amount at once.
- Calama is the airport for San Pedro de Atacama, 100 km and about 90 minutes away; Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales serve Torres del Paine.
Santiago (SCL) to the city
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centropuerto bus | CLP 2,400 one way | 45 to 60 min | To Pajaritos and Los Heroes metro; buy at the counter in arrivals |
| Turbus airport bus | CLP 2,400 to CLP 3,000 | 45 to 60 min | Same idea, to Pajaritos and Universidad de Santiago |
| Shared van (Transvip, Delfos) | CLP 8,000 to CLP 12,000 per person | 40 to 70 min | Door to door, waits to fill |
| Official taxi | CLP 27,000 to CLP 29,000 | 30 to 50 min | Fixed price, bought at the counter inside |
| Uber or Cabify | CLP 15,000 to CLP 25,000 | 30 to 50 min | Marked pickup area; surges badly |
- The bus plus metro is the local answer. Pajaritos is on Line 1 and 20 minutes from the centre.
- Buy any taxi or van at a counter inside the terminal. The FCDO specifically warns about Santiago airport taxi fraud: inflated fares, extra digits, and card readers rigged to capture your PIN.
- Never accept a lift from someone who approaches you in the hall. Every legitimate operator has a desk.
- A metro bip! card is CLP 1,550 and is bought at any station - not at the airport, which has no metro yet.
The first hour
- Immigration, then the tourist card, then the SAG agricultural check with dogs and X-ray. Have the declaration QR ready.
- ATMs are in the arrivals hall and charge a fee of around CLP 3,500 to CLP 6,000. Take out a decent amount at once.
- Cards work almost everywhere in Chile, so you do not need much cash.
- Buses to other cities leave from the city terminals, not the airport; the exception is the direct Turbus service to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.
The other arrival points
- Calama (CJC) is the airport for San Pedro de Atacama, and the transfer is 100 km and about 90 minutes. Book it with your hotel or with Transvip before you fly.
- Puerto Natales (PNT) and Punta Arenas (PUQ) serve Torres del Paine. Punta Arenas has the flights, Puerto Natales is three hours closer to the park.
- Overland from Argentina or Peru, the same agricultural rules apply, and the crossings close in winter snow.
- Do not carry food across any Chilean border. The border posts search more thoroughly than the airport.
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