About Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)

Located a short distance from Chile's capital, Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is the county's largest airport and is one of South America's key transport hubs. Our Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport guide includes information on facilities, public transport options and nearby hotels.

Airport news:

A master plan at the airport is underway that includes an expansion of the main terminal building and the construction of an additional terminal.

Information:

Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport has two information desks (tel: +56 2 2690 1752), one on the first floor (Arrivals) and another on the third floor (Departures). A tourist information centre is located in the arrivals area of the international terminal.

Website:

Driving directions:

The best route from central Santiago is west on Avenida Libertador B. O'Higgins (which turns into Route 68), then right onto Circunvalación Américo Vespucio, where Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is located. There are plenty of signs signalling the entrance to the airport.

From east and north Santiago, the best route to the airport is Circunvalación Américo Vespucio Norte.

From south Santiago, take the Circunvalación Américo Vespucio Sur northwards.

Transfer between terminals:

The domestic and international terminals are housed in the same building and are internally connected by a passageway, lifts, stairs and hallways.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus:Two bus companies serve the airport and link to city centre destinations. The Centro Puerto bus (tel: +56 2 601 9883; www.centropuerto.cl), which runs from both terminals, stops at the Los Héroes bus terminal (fare: CH$1,400), close to the Los Héroes metro station. The Tur-Bus (tel: +56 2 2822 7500; www.turbus.cl) stops at the Alameda bus terminal and central Santiago (journey time: 30 minutes; fare: CH$1,700).

Shuttle:TransVip (tel: +56 2 2677 3000; www.transvip.cl) minibuses offer a door-to-door service to destinations throughout Santiago. Representatives are stationed throughout the terminal and tickets can be purchased in the domestic and international arrivals areas.

Taxi:Taxi Oficial (tel: +56 2 2601 9880; www.taxioficial.cl), which are marked blue with 'taxioficial' identification, are available from outside both terminals. These run to destinations such as Providencia, Las Condes, Viña del Mar and Santiago city centre.

Terminal facilities

Money:

Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport has banks, ATM machines and bureaux de change located within the terminals.

Food:

There are numerous bars, fast-food outlets, cafés, snack bars and restaurants at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.

Shopping:

There is a large selection of shops at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. These include gift retailers, book shops, newsagents, wine merchants, jewellery and handicraft stores, as well as duty-free shops in the international terminal.

Luggage:

Trolleys are free of charge in both terminals. A left-luggage service (tel: +56 2 690 1319) is in operation 24 hours a day in the international terminal. A lost property department (tel: +56 2 690 1707) is on hand to assist with missing luggage.

Other:

There is a pharmacy on the third floor of the domestic terminal and a medical centre on the first floor of the international terminal.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

A business centre equipped with a meeting room and café is located in the international terminal – this has videoconferencing, fax, internet and computer workstation services. In addition, a large meeting room for up to 40 people and a press room are available for hire.

United Airlines, LAN Chile, American Airlines and Pacific Club all have VIP lounges in the terminal complex.

Meeting facilities are also offered at the nearby Holiday Inn Santiago Airport (tel: +56 2 2799 9900; www.holidayinn.com) and Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport (tel: +56 2 2964 1000; hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com) hotels.

Communication Facilities:

The post office is located on the first floor of the domestic area. Telephones and internet kiosks are situated throughout the airport.

Disabled facilities:

The terminal complex is designed with visual, hearing and tactile facilities. These include wheelchair-accessible Braille lifts and telephones, bathroom facilities and lifts with speakers and emergency lights. Wheelchairs are available on request from individual airlines: passengers should inform their airline prior to travel.

Car parking:

Short- and long-term car parking is provided at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. Short-term car parking is located directly in front of the terminal complex. The long-term car park is served by a shuttle service.

Car rental:

Car hire companies at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport include: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Econorent, Hertz and Rosselot. Car hire desks are located in both domestic and international arrivals areas.