SCL Airport to Santiago: Best Ways to Get to the City (Time, Cost + Safety)
Landing at SCL (Arturo Merino Benítez) and trying to get into Santiago quickly without getting overcharged or wasting time? I’ve done this route multiple times and there are 3 solid ways to get into the city, depending on your budget, arrival time, and how much logistics you want to deal with. Below, I compare rideshare vs airport bus + metro vs public buses + metro, with realistic time/cost ranges, a quick decision guide, and 3 mistakes to avoid. (At the end, I also cover the return trip from Santiago back to SCL.)
New here? Here’s my Santiago Series: Start Here page with links to all Santiago posts (itineraries, neighborhoods, day trips, and packing).
Quick Answers (SCL ↔ Santiago)
Best option for most people: Option 1 — Rideshare (Uber/Cabify) (fastest + door-to-door)
Best value option: Option 2 — Airport bus + Metro (via Pajaritos) (cheap + straightforward)
Cheapest option: Option 3 — Public buses + Metro (via Pajaritos) (lowest cost, most logistics)
Typical time: ~25–45 min (Opt 1) • ~1–1.5 hrs (Opt 2) • ~1.5–2.5 hrs (Opt 3)
Quick rule: Arriving late/early or with big luggage → Option 1. Budget + traveling light → Option 2 or 3.
Options at a glance
I’ve done this route multiple times, and these are the three options I actually recommend —choose based on time, cost, and luggage.
🚗 Option 1: Rideshare (fastest, usually most expensive)
Directions: Take Uber/Cabify directly from the airport to your destination.
Pickup note (Terminal 2 / international): We usually request Uber pickup near Door 3 on the Departures level. According to the airport security we asked, Arrivals level is reserved for official transportation (buses, taxis, direct shuttles), so you should avoid calling rideshare from there.
Time: ~25–45 minutes (can be longer in rush hour).
Cost: ~US$15–$30 / CLP 15,000-27,000 to central Santiago (varies by time/demand/neighborhood).
Hours: Available at all hours of the day and night.
Best for: Late arrivals, heavy luggage, you just want door-to-door.
Safety note: Only get into the car that matches the app (plate + driver). Ignore anyone offering rides inside/outside the terminal – say “No, gracias” and keep walking.
Paying for fare:
Directly with your credit card through the app.
🚌🚇 Option 2: Airport bus + metro (best balance of time/cost)
Directions: Follow the signs outside of your terminal to the airport bus (Centropuerto or TurBus) pickup area. Take the bus to Pajaritos (intermodal/metro station in Santiago), then take the metro to your final neighborhood. Pajaritos serves only Metro Line 1, so if you’re staying near a station on another line, you might need to transfer / walk.
Time: ~1-1.5 hours (depends on connection timing and your final destination).
Cost: ~$3 total (~$2 / 2,000 CLP for the airport shuttle, ~$1 / ~710-890 CLP for metro; check metro ticket prices here).
Hours: Public transit doesn’t run 24/7; if you arrive late (around ~21:00–06:00), this may not be practical. Check the public transit schedule here.
Best for: Daytime arrivals, you want to save money but keep it straightforward.
Safety note: Low scam risk (official ticketing). The main risk is the same as any crowded transit: keep valuables on you and keep an eye on your bag. Also, the airport buses could be standing room only during heavy hours, so take that into consideration if you’d prefer to sit.
Paying for fare:
Airport bus: Buy tickets at the ticket station at the airport bus pickup area. You can use credit cards.
Metro: You’ll need a BIP! card (Santiago public transit card) to tap into the metro. You can buy and load it at the self-service machines at the airport terminal (accepts credit cards) or at the ticket office inside Pajaritos (cash only).
🚌🔁🚇 Option 3: Public buses + metro (multiple transfers — cheapest, most logistics)
Directions: Take the airport shuttle bus from your terminal to Parada Intermodal Aeropuerto (the airport intermodal bus station), then transfer to public Bus 555 to Pajaritos station. From there, take the metro to the stop closest to your final destination. Pajaritos serves only Metro Line 1, so if you’re staying near a station on another line, you might need to transfer / walk.
Time: ~1.5-2.5 hours (depends on connection timing and your final destination).
Cost: ~$1 / ~710-890 CLP total (just the fare for Bus 555, which will transfer to the metro as long as you take the metro within 2 hours of the bus). Check public transit ticket prices here.
Hours: Public transit doesn’t run 24/7; if you arrive late (around ~21:00–06:00), this may not be practical. Check the public transit schedule here.
Best for: You’re arriving in the day, traveling with a backpack, and want the cheapest option.
Safety note: Generally fine in the day, but I’d avoid this after sunset or if you’re unfamiliar with the route.
Paying for fare:
Bus 555 and the metro: You’ll need a BIP! card (Santiago public transit card) to tap into both. Buy and load it at the self-service machines at the airport terminal or the intermodal station. These machines take credit cards (source).
✅🚕 Also available: official taxi and transfer vans (book-and-go)
I don’t personally use these, but they’re good options if you prefer a fixed process.
Official taxi: Purchase at the official taxi counter inside the terminal, then follow the instructions to the pickup area.
Official transfer/shuttle van: Also sold at official counters; useful if you’re arriving late or want something straightforward.
Avoid: Anyone who approaches you offering a ride — don’t engage, just keep walking.
Map overview + neighborhood orientation: Airport buses connect to Pajaritos, where you can hop on Metro Line 1 towards the Historic Center, Lastarria/Bellas Artes, Providencia, and beyond. Use this map to see where common bases sit relative to SCL and sanity-check time + hassle. (Map data © Google)
Quick decision guide (pick the best option)
Rule of thumb: If you’re staying central / near Metro Line 1, choose Option 2. If you’re arriving late or staying far from the metro, choose Option 1.
🌙 If you’re arriving late night / early morning
Best: Option 1 (Rideshare) — simplest and most reliable when transit is limited. (I’ve called Ubers at 04:00–05:00 with no issues.)
Alternate: If it’s early morning and you want to save money, Option 2 (Airport bus + metro) can work once the metro is running (Check the public transit schedule here). If you’re waiting, Britt Café on the departures level has plenty of seating for coffee/pastries.
🧳 If you have heavy luggage (large suitcase or multiple bags)
Best: Option 1 (Rideshare) — door-to-door, no stairs or transfers.
Alternate: Option 2 (Airport bus + metro) can work if your destination is easy on Metro Line 1, but expect stairs + crowds.
Skip: Option 3 (Public buses + metro) — public buses don’t have luggage storage and transfers are more stressful with big bags.
💸 If you’re prioritizing budget
Best for most first-timers: Option 2 (Airport bus + metro) — almost as cheap as Option 3, but much less hassle.
Cheapest: Option 3 (Public buses + metro) — best if you’re comfortable with transfers and traveling light (or already have a BIP! card).
Note from my personal experience: If you know the route, Option 3 can take a similar amount of time as Option 2, and Bus 555 is often less crowded than the airport buses.
📍Where you’re going matters (quick pointers)
Historic Center (near Plaza de Armas): If you’re near Metro Line 1, Option 2 is easy (no metro transfers). Option 1 is easiest late or door-to-door.
Bellas Artes / Lastarria: Great for walking. Option 2 works well if you don’t mind a short walk; Option 1 if you have luggage.
Providencia: Option 2 if you’re near Avenida Providencia/Metro Line 1. Option 1 for late arrivals or if you’re farther from the metro.
Barrio Italia / Ñuñoa: Option 2 works, but you may need a transfer or a short rideshare at the end. Option 1 for simplest door-to-door.
Las Condes: More spread out and less walkable – if you’re not close to a metro stop (or arriving late), Option 1 is usually simplest.
Avoid these 3 mistakes
Don’t accept rides from unsolicited drivers.
As soon as you enter the public arrivals area, people may approach offering “taxi” rides. Skip it – these are overwhelmingly scams. Just say “No, gracias” and keep walking to your planned pickup point or the official counters. If they keep pushing: “No, gracias. Ya tengo transporte.” (“No, thank you. I already have transport.")Don’t stash valuables in an easy-to-grab pocket or loose bag during transfers.
If you’re taking buses/metro, keep your phone, passport, wallet, and camera on your body (zipped pocket/crossbody), not in an outer backpack pocket. If you’re taking airport bus, be mindful of this if you put your bags in luggage storage.Don’t cut it too close at rush hour.
Santiago traffic and metros can get congested during rush hours, especially weekday mornings and evenings. If you’re heading to the airport during those times, add a time buffer.
Getting back to SCL (Santiago → airport)
The return trip is basically the same options in reverse:
Option 1 (Rideshare): Call Uber/Cabify from your neighborhood and set destination to SCL (Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez).
Option 2 (Airport bus + metro): Take the metro to Pajaritos, then take the airport bus (Centropuerto/TurBus) to SCL.
Option 3 (Public buses + metro): Take the metro to Pajaritos, then follow the same public-bus transfer route back to the airport.
Extra tip: To get to the airport, I personally add a time buffer — rush hour can be intense in Santiago for both car and metro.
Next Up
Santiago Series: Start Here → walkable itineraries + neighborhood picks.
