Santiago Airport: Landing With the Andes as Your Backdrop

Getting there, at a glance

Amenities, at a glance

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (IATA: SCL) is Chile’s busiest airport and LATAM Airlines’ founding hub. SCL closed 2024 with a record 26.2 million passengers, a 12.5% increase on 2023 that made it South America’s fourth-busiest airport. It sits about 20 km (12 mi) northwest of central Santiago, with the Andes mountains rising dramatically just beyond the runways.

Overview

SCL operates a large new international terminal, opened in 2022, which significantly modernized the airport’s facilities. As LATAM’s original hub — the airline traces its roots to Chile’s national carrier LAN Chile — SCL anchors an extensive network across South America plus international routes to North America, Europe, and Oceania. The airport’s setting is genuinely striking: the Andes rise sharply just to the east, visible from much of the terminal.

Terminals

SCL operates around a single large, modern international terminal complex (opened 2022), consolidating what were previously more limited older facilities and significantly expanding capacity.

Airlines

LATAM Airlines operates a major hub at SCL — the airline’s historical roots trace back to Chile’s LAN Chile — anchoring an extensive domestic network across Chile plus international routes throughout South America, North America, and beyond. That hub concentration makes SCL one of the best-connected airports for travel within Chile and to the wider Southern Cone region.

How to Get There

• Centropuerto bus: CLP 2,300–3,500, the cheapest option, about 30 minutes direct to central Santiago.
• Taxi: CLP 15,000–25,000 to the city center via the official taxi counter, about 25–35 minutes depending on traffic.
• Uber: Generally comparable in price to a taxi, about 25–35 minutes — widely used in Santiago.

Prices above are indicative and can change — always check current fares with Centropuerto or your ride-hailing app.

Getting Through Security and Passport Control

• Domestic flights: Security only. Typically 20–30 minutes off-peak, up to 35–50 minutes during busy periods.
• International flights: Security plus passport control. Typically 25–35 minutes off-peak, up to 45–65 minutes during peak international departure banks.
• The new terminal’s expanded security capacity has generally improved processing times compared to the airport’s older facility.

Parking

SCL has parking available at the new terminal, with clear signage for short- and long-stay options.

Wifi

Free wifi is available in the terminal with a time-limited free session.

Best Times to Arrive

• Domestic flights: Arrive 2 hours before departure.
• International flights: Arrive 3 hours ahead, especially for LATAM’s peak international departure banks.
• Santiago traffic can be unpredictable at rush hour — budget extra time for the drive to the airport during peak commute hours.

Where to Eat

SCL has a good selection of Chilean cuisine alongside international chains, spread across the new terminal.

Airport Hotel

The Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal is the only hotel actually built into the terminal, just steps from baggage claim — no shuttle needed. It has an indoor pool, spa, and 24-hour room service, a genuinely convenient pick for a long layover or an early LATAM departure.

Lounges

• LATAM VIP Lounges are available for eligible business class passengers, elite status holders, or paid access.
• Several Priority Pass-affiliated lounges are also available.

Duty-Free Shopping

SCL’s duty-free zone includes a strong selection of Chilean wine, one of the country’s best-known exports, alongside the usual international fashion, cosmetics, and electronics brands.

Airport Map

This is a simplified layout to help you get oriented — for real-time, gate-by-gate wayfinding, use Santiago Airport’s official resources.

Useful Links

• Official airport site (Nuevo Pudahuel) — terminal info, services, live flight status.
• LATAM Airlines — flight schedules and connections.

Long Layover Tips

• With 4+ hours and a visa situation permitting entry, central Santiago and the Plaza de Armas are reachable by bus or taxi in about 25–35 minutes.
• If staying airside, request a window seat on your next flight out — the Andes view on departure from Santiago is one of the more memorable in South American aviation.
• Given the new terminal’s scale, allow real time to reach your gate after security, especially during LATAM’s peak connecting banks.