Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL)

Overview

Santiago International Airport's longer name is Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. It is located in Pudahuel, which is a brief drive from downtown Santiago, Chile.

Santiago International is the ninth largest air hub in Latin America and the busiest airport in Chile. It has a single terminal building with arrivals baggage reclaim on the ground floor, VIP lounges on the first floor, departures on the second floor, and dining options on the third floor.

Location

The airport is situated 13 miles (21km) north west of Santiago.

Getting to the city

Several bus services leave regularly for the city centre. Official airport taxis are also available from outside international and domestic arrivals.

Time

Local time is GMT �5 (GMT �4 from the second Sunday in October to the second Saturday in March).

Contacts

Tel: +56 (0)2 690 1752/3.

Car rental

International companies such as Avis and Alamo are represented at the airport as well as several local companies.

Airport Taxis

There are taxi ranks located outside both the Domestic and International Arrivals terminal.

Facilities

Facilities at this extremely well equipped airport include Business and Internet Centres, bureaux de change, banks and ATMs, duty-free shops as well as a variety of other retail stores, restaurants, cafes and bars, a post office, tourist information, travel agencies and hotel reservations. There are also plenty of children's play areas available.

Parking

The 24-hour parking lot charges CLP 900 for the first two hours and CLP 300 per hour thereafter, after the initial 24 hours charges rise to CLP 6,500 per day. Express parking costs CLP 1,000 per hour up to CLP 8,000 per day.

Departure Tax

US$26 (there is also an Arrivals tax: US citizens pay US$131)

Website

www.aeropuertosantiago.cl (Spanish only)

Airlines

Airlines offering flights to Santiago International Airport include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, Avianca, Delta Airlines, Iberia, LAN Airlines, Pal Airlines, Pluna, Sky Airline, TACA Airlines and TAM Airlines.

Internet

Wifi is available at many of the airport's cafés, upon purchase of a menu item.

Business Lounges

The international part of the terminal houses a business centre equipped with videoconferencing, internet, fax and computer facilities. Fully equipped meeting rooms are also available.

Santiago International Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.