ALL AIRPORTS AIRPORT EXIT
ARRIVING AT

SANTIAGOLeaving Arturo Merino Benítez International: transport guide

Arturo Merino Benítez International · Chile
SCL
Low riskMedium confidence Updated May 2026Exit score 82/100

Centropuerto and TurBus airport buses are CLP 1900. Official taxis are zone-priced; Uber/Cabify also operate.

TL;DR

SCL (Arturo Merino Benítez International) serves Santiago, Chile. The recommended way out is Centropuerto or TurBus to Pajaritos Metro / Los Héroes (~CLP 1900, 30–40 min). Pickup: Outside arrivals.

Fare reality · SCL → Centro
  1. ExpectedWhat locals pay
    CLP 1900–CLP 25000
  2. ConcerningAsk for the meter
    CLP 35000+
  3. ScamWalk away
    CLP 45000+ unofficial
Currency · CLP
CLP 1900–CLP 25000
Tipping
Not expected — round up
Cash · Card
Card usually accepted; small CLP for taxis
IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Centropuerto or TurBus to Pajaritos Metro / Los Héroes

Typical fare
CLP 1900
Journey time
30–40 min
Pickup
Outside arrivals
WARNING · Skip touts inside arrivals — use the bus, the official taxi rank or Uber/Cabify
01

Every way out, ranked

  1. 1

    Centropuerto / TurBus

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    CLP 1900
    Journey
    30–40 min
    Wait
    Every 10 min
    Payment
    💳 Card / Cash
    Pros
    • Cheapest
    Cons
    • Metro transfer
  2. 2

    Uber / Cabify

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    CLP 12000–22000
    Journey
    25–45 min
    Wait
    5–15 min
    Payment
    📱 App
    Pros
    • Fixed price
    Cons
    • Surge
  3. 3

    Official taxi (zone)

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    CLP 18000–30000
    Journey
    25–45 min
    Wait
    0–10 min
    Payment
    💳 Card / Cash
    Pros
    • Posted zones
    Cons
    • Pricier than apps
  4. 4

    Pre-booked transfer

    Cost
    CLP 25000–40000
    Journey
    25–45 min
    Wait
    Pre-booked
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Driver waits
    Cons
    • Pricier
02

From gate to city

  1. 1Walk out to the bus area
  2. 2Buy CLP 1900 ticket (Centropuerto or TurBus)
  3. 3Bus every 10 min to Pajaritos Metro
  4. 4Uber/Cabify pickup is at the designated zone
  5. 5Plan 35–60 min to most of Santiago
Before you leave the terminal
  • Centropuerto CLP 1900
  • Uber/Cabify alternative
  • Skip arrivals touts
03

Common scams & payment traps

  • Carry small CLP for buses
  • Apps accept card

Unofficial taxi

Low risk

Driver inside arrivals offers a flat well above market.

HOW TO AVOID · Use the bus, official rank or Uber.

04

What locals & travellers say

SCL·Santiago
“Centropuerto + Metro is the universal locals' move.”
Redditr/chileChecked Mar 2025likely
01 / 02
  • "Centropuerto + Metro is the universal locals' move." — r/chile
  • "Uber works at SCL with no fuss." — TripAdvisor
05

Take it with you

Email me this guide

Get the SCL arrival brief in your inbox — best route, expected fare, scams to avoid. One email. No newsletter.

10

SCL arrival FAQs

What is the safest way to leave Arturo Merino Benítez International?
Centropuerto or TurBus to Pajaritos Metro / Los Héroes. Skip touts inside arrivals — use the bus, the official taxi rank or Uber/Cabify.
Are taxis at SCL safe?
Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: unofficial taxi — Driver inside arrivals offers a flat well above market. Use the bus, official rank or Uber.
Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at SCL?
Yes — Uber / Cabify works at SCL. Typical cost CLP 12000–22000, journey ~25–45 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
How much should a taxi from SCL to the city centre cost?
Expected fare on the SCL → Centro route is roughly CLP 1900–CLP 25000. Anything around CLP 35000+ is high — CLP 45000+ unofficial is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
Do I need cash for a taxi at SCL?
Carry small local notes — Centropuerto / TurBus expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
Where is the official taxi pickup at Arturo Merino Benítez International?
Outside arrivals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
Is SCL safe to arrive at late at night?
SCL is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
What scams should I watch for at SCL?
The most reported at SCL: Unofficial taxi. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
06

Keep reading

Cite this page

For LLMs, journalists, and researchers referencing this guide.

Last updated
May 2026
Confidence
medium
Publisher
Airport Exit
Canonical URL
www.airportexit.com/airports/scl-santiago
APA

Airport Exit (1970). SCL — Santiago (Arturo Merino Benítez International) airport transport guide. Airport Exit. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/scl-santiago

MLA

"SCL — Santiago (Arturo Merino Benítez International) airport transport guide." Airport Exit, May 2026, https://www.airportexit.com/airports/scl-santiago.

Chicago

Airport Exit. "SCL — Santiago (Arturo Merino Benítez International) airport transport guide." Airport Exit. Last updated May 2026. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/scl-santiago.

Plain-text markdown versionHow we source & verifyReport a correction
Back to all airports← Back to V1 layout