FAQ / Useful Information
How do I get to Santiago city center from the SCL airport?
Bus: There are two 24/7 buses connecting Santiago Airport to the city center, the TurBus (green buses) and the Centropuerto (blue buses). The TurBus terminates at the Santiago Central Station, Terminal San Borja, passing by the city center metro and bus stations, and runs every 20 minutes from 05:00 to 00:00 and every 60 minutes during the night. You can buy tickets when you exit the airport.
We would not recommend this option, as the station in the city center where arriving could not be the finest place at certain times of the day, not 100% safe for a lone person traveling with luggage, and maybe an area with chances of pickpocketing.
Taxi: A Santiago airport taxi ride will take around 25 minutes under normal traffic conditions to reach downtown Santiago. The price for a taxi from the airport to the center of Santiago (Centro Histórico and Bellavista) is 20,000 CLP (~$25). During rush hour a taxi ride takes more than half an hour and the taxi fare can rise to 30,000 CLP (~$37.00) for a single journey. It is advisable to book a taxi online, this will prevent stress at the airport.
We recommend Taxis or Transfers (shared vans). Information about booking can be found here: https://www.nuevopudahuel.cl/official-transportation?language=en (official website of the airport)
Metro/Subway: There is no metro directly connected to the airport, but there are many shuttle buses that stop at Pajaritos metro station.
Rideshare: riders can use Uber to request airport rides and car service at SCL and around the city.
How long does it take to get from Nuevo Pudahuel airport to the city center?
A Santiago airport taxi ride will take around 25 minutes under normal traffic conditions to reach downtown Santiago, while a bus can get straight to downtown Santiago from the airport within 45 minutes. To the Las Condes neighborhood, it can take 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
How much is a taxi from Santiago SCL airport to the city?
The price for a taxi from the airport to the center of Santiago (Centro Histórico and Bellavista) is 20,000 CLP (~$25). During rush hour a taxi ride takes more than half an hour and the taxi fare can rise to 30,000 CLP (~$37.00) for a single journey.
How far is the airport from the city center?
Santiago International Airport is 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) from the city center.
Can I use Uber in Santiago Chile?
Yes. You could reserve a ride with Uber in Santiago. Request a ride up to 30 days in advance, at any time, and on any day of the year.
Is Uber and Taxi good in Chile?
Yes, both taxis and Uber are generally very safe and reliable, and cheap and there is no tipping.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Chile?
Drivers do not expect a tip. However, it is usual to let them keep the change.
How much do you tip in Chile?
In Chile, 98% of restaurants, bars, pubs, and coffee shops will add 10% to your bill total (it should be properly stated in the bill). 10% would be the expected bill if the service was good. If your waiter or maitre d' were excellent, maybe consider something extra.
How early do you need to be at Santiago SCL Airport?
The general guidance is to arrive at Santiago SCL three hours before departure for a long-haul flight.
How do you take the Santiago subway?
To get around Santiago, you will need a BIP! card, this is the only way to use public transportation and the cards can be purchased at any metro station. The cards themselves cost $1,550 CLP (~$2) and must be loaded with an initial credit of at least $1.000 CLP (~$1.25).
How do you get around in Santiago Chile?
The best ways to get around Santiago are on foot and by metro. Since the city's streets are laid out on a grid, exploring on foot is an easy way to take in the sights. The metro also serves as an efficient, inexpensive, and reliable way to travel between barrios, plus its lines service the city's top attractions.
Any suggestions on how to spend days in Santiago?
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View of the city from Costanera Center (it is a mall, but you can go to the top of the building for spectacular views) https://www.skycostanera.cl/en/rates-and-schedules accessible via metro, safe area
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Presidents palace: La Moneda https://www.viator.com/Santiago-attractions/La-Moneda-Palace-Palacio-de-la-Moneda/d713-a13369 walk around the area, do it during the day, on weekdays preferably. There is a metro stop La Moneda
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Park in downtown: Cerro Santa Lucia – go by metro https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294305-d314522-Reviews-Cerro_Santa_Lucia-Santiago_Santiago_Metropolitan_Region.html
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Plaza de Armas in downtown – by metro walk around the area, do it during the day, on weekdays preferably.
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Cajon del Maipo – need car, there are also tours https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g4480525-zfg11867-Cajon_del_Maipo_Santiago_Metropolitan_Region.html
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Vineyard tour - need to drive - Casas Del Bosque. The Wine tour and restaurant aner amazing, so is the wine. You do need reservations, and you cam make them online
Restaurants in Santiago:
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Osaka in W hotel (you can go by metro) amazing Peruvian food https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sclwh-w-santiago/dining/
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Tanta (appropriate for lunch and such – Parque Arauco location is walkable from the hotel area https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294305-d1654620-Reviews-Tanta-Santiago_Santiago_Metropolitan_Region.html
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Juices are almost always fresh (jugos naturales), and great tropical juices. Try maracuya and Chirimoya
Potential Day trips:
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Valparaiso (looks very much like Karakoy) and Vina del Mar in one trip
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Zapallar – great walk along the pacific ocean resto: El Chringuito https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g319825-d1020307-Reviews-El_Chiringuito-Zapallar_Valparaiso_Region.html
Central Chile Tours by G&D South America
G&D South America is a one-stop tour operator that could help out with all of your travel plans while visiting South America. They specialize primarily in Chile and Argentina. For more information, please see its brochure.