Every month, around one and a half million people pass through there. This number makes Santiago Airport, Chile, one of the busiest (and most modern) in South America. There’s no way around it: if you intend to visit the Chilean capital, you’ll end up setting foot there.
The good part is that, in addition to the adequate infrastructure, Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is also relatively close to the city center – just 20 kilometers. So catching flights is easy. Just go by taxi, van or bus + subway, similar to what happens in São Paulo.
Speaking of the capital of São Paulo, there are at least eight daily flights between the two cities (it could even be more, if demand is very high). LAN, TAM, Gol and the Chilean low cost Sky Airline operate on this stretch. My most recent trip was with Gol, in March this year. Read the review of this flight here.
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Another classic question from travelers involves duty-free shopping. The one at the Chilean airport is smaller than the one you find in Guarulhos, but it also has dozens of stores and some products with interesting prices. Before buying everything you want, it’s worth remembering the logic of duty-free shopping: it’s only tax-free even for Chileans who are returning to the country after an international trip.
Brazilians (and tourists of any nationality) can even make tax-free purchases at duty-free shops abroad, but may have to pay the taxes due upon arrival in their country of origin. Therefore, it may be worth spending that little bit of money in Guarulhos, this is the duty-free shop with taxes exempt for Brazilians.
How to get to the center from Santiago airport
I passed through the Chilean airport on two occasions, in 2012 and 2015. On the first occasion I arrived at the center of Santiago by taxi, while on the second I took a transfer. The options, however, go far beyond these.
See too: Where to stay in Santiago
Taxi
It is recommended that you hire an official service with a fixed price, avoiding the risk of getting a scam taxi driver (who decides to take unnecessary trips around the city with you or simply charge you an unrealistic amount for the ride).
Two companies have counters at the airport, in the arrivals area. The Official Taxi and Trans Vip. The price varies, but is usually around 18 thousand Chilean pesos, or around 30 dollars. You can pay with cash or by credit card. Trans Vip organizes a taxi sharing service, which can make the fare cheaper for those traveling alone. However, this depends on other passengers going in the same direction as you at the same time.
It is possible to book the service of both companies online, both for the outward and return journey. In this situation, another alternative is to ask for directions at your hotel. They can book with a trusted taxi driver, leaving the agreed price. Before getting into the car, check with the taxi driver the conditions that were passed by the hotel staff.
Rent a car
Honestly, I wouldn’t rent a car just to get around Santiago. Just like in other big cities around the world, traffic in the Chilean capital is complicated, especially for those who don’t know the local tricks. Therefore, the best way to get around the city is by public transport. The subway is efficient and so is the bus system.
On the other hand, it may be worth renting a vehicle if you intend to travel to places around Santiago, such as Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. It is also possible to drive to the ski resorts, but be prepared to face a road full of curves.
If you choose to rent a vehicle, make sure you also have a GPS. There are seven car rental companies at Santiago Airport. See what they are here.
See too: What to do in Viña del Mar, a resort in Chile
Two days of tourism in Valparaíso, Chile
Valparaiso, Chile
Transfer
If you are unable to use the shared taxi service and are alone, one option is to hire a transfer service. Recommended by the airport itself, Delfos works with vans and takes passengers to the city center. The price varies depending on the neighborhood of your hotel, but is normally between 6 and 8 thousand Chilean pesos per person. Details on the company website.
Public transportation
Budget travelers typically prefer to leave the airport using public transport. Although this is my option in several cities around the world, I have never done this in Santiago. Just like in São Paulo, you have to take a bus to a subway station and from there go to the city center. It’s not that much work, but it can be a problem if you’re tired or have a lot of bags.
Two bus companies provide the service and charge between 1500 and 1600 Chilean pesos for the ticket (around R$8). TurBus stops at the Universidad de Santiago, Las Rejas and Pajaritos metro stations and they have buses between 6am and midnight. Centropuerto runs between 5:55 am and 11:30 pm and stops at Pajaritos, Las Rejas, Universidad de Santiago, Central and Los Héroes stations. In both cases there are discounts for those who buy return and return tickets together.
*Featured image: Phillip Capper
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