landmark
Cerro Santa Lucía + Plaza de Armas
Free climb to Cerro Santa Lucía for city + Andes views. Adjacent Plaza de Armas with the cathedral. Both walking distance.
Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL) · Chile
12-Hour Layover in Santiago: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Santiago?
Entry
Visa-free for most Western, EU, US, Canadian, Australian passports up to 90 days. Chile has no visa-free entry for some Asian + African countries — confirm before traveling.
Into town
Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro): 20 min, CLP 2,200 (€2.20).
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from SCL arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Santiago: Where to Go
The sights in Santiago worth leaving the airport for.
2Cerro San Cristóbal (cable car/funicular)
Higher than Santa Lucía + funicular ride. CLP 3,500 round-trip. Best Andes views in clear weather (May-Sep best).
Photo: Carlos yo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
market
Mercado Central + La Vega Chica
Iron-frame 1872 market with seafood restaurants — Donde Augusto for ceviche + erizos (sea urchin). La Vega Chica next door for cheaper produce.
neighbourhood
Bellavista nightlife + La Chascona (Neruda house)
Bohemian district + the Pablo Neruda residence-turned-museum (CLP 9,000). Bellavista is the safest tourist nightlife area.
Itinerary ideas for Santiago
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
12 hours
You are here12 hours in Santiago
6–8 hours exploring
Insider tip
SCL is 22km from centre — Centropuerto bus + Metro is the cheapest CLP 2,200. For evening arrivals or 6+ hour layovers: Uber + Bellavista is the move. Santiago smog can be heavy in winter (May-Sep) — best views on weekends.
Into Santiago
Getting to Santiago City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro) | CLP 2,200 (€2.20) | 20 min |
| Airport bus TurBus (to Pajaritos / Universidad) | CLP 2,500 (€2.50) | 30 min |
| Taxi (official VipBus / Transvip shared) | CLP 15,000–25,000 (€15–25) | 25–45 min |
| Uber / Cabify | CLP 12,000–22,000 (€12–22) | 25–45 min |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Santiago
Empanadas de pino at El Hoyo. Curanto (Patagonian stew) at Casa Lastarria. Pisco Sour at any restaurant. Mote con huesillos (dried peach drink) from street vendors.
12 hours in Santiago
12-Hour Itinerary
1
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Santiago
Take Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro) (20 min, CLP 2,200 (€2.20)).
2
1–4 hrs
Cerro Santa Lucía + Plaza de Armas
Free climb to Cerro Santa Lucía for city + Andes views. Adjacent Plaza de Armas with the cathedral. Both walking distance.
3
4–6 hrs
Cerro San Cristóbal (cable car/funicular)
Higher than Santa Lucía + funicular ride. CLP 3,500 round-trip. Best Andes views in clear weather (May-Sep best).
4
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Empanadas de pino at El Hoyo. Curanto (Patagonian stew) at Casa Lastarria. Pisco Sour at any restaurant. Mote con huesillos (dried peach drink) from street vendors.
5
8–10 hrs
Mercado Central + La Vega Chica
Iron-frame 1872 market with seafood restaurants — Donde Augusto for ceviche + erizos (sea urchin). La Vega Chica next door for cheaper produce.
6
10–12 hrs
Back to Arturo Merino Benítez Airport
Head back to Arturo Merino Benítez Airport by Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro) (20 min, CLP 2,200 (€2.20)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Santiago?
Visa-free for most Western, EU, US, Canadian, Australian passports up to 90 days. Chile has no visa-free entry for some Asian + African countries — confirm before traveling. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 12 hours enough to leave Arturo Merino Benítez Airport?
6–8 hours exploring. Getting into Santiago by Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro) takes 20 min each way.
How do I get from Arturo Merino Benítez Airport to Santiago centre?
Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro): 20 min, CLP 2,200 (€2.20). Airport bus TurBus (to Pajaritos / Universidad): 30 min, CLP 2,500 (€2.50). Taxi (official VipBus / Transvip shared): 25–45 min, CLP 15,000–25,000 (€15–25). Uber / Cabify: 25–45 min, CLP 12,000–22,000 (€12–22).
Where can I leave my bags in Santiago?
Luggage storage near Arturo Merino Benítez Airport and in Santiago is listed in our Santiago luggage storage guide.
Getting out of Arturo Merino Benítez Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Santiago
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Santiago and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse SantiagoJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Santiago? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Santiago.Trains & buses from Santiago
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Santiago Airport
With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Santiago
Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia
Search hotels
Also useful for your Santiago trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Santiago
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from SCL.
JetSMART route mapLATAM Airlines route mapAerolíneas Argentinas route mapAeromexico route mapAir Canada route mapAir Europa route mapAir France route mapAmerican Airlines route mapAvianca route mapBritish Airways route mapCopa Airlines route mapDelta Air Lines route mapEthiopian Airlines route mapFlybondi route mapGOL Linhas Aéreas route mapIberia route mapJetSMART Argentina route mapKLM Royal Dutch Airlines route map
Airport lounges at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Santiago travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Santiago works
01
Check you can leave
Visa-free for most Western, EU, US, Canadian, Australian passports up to 90 days. Chile has no visa-free entry for some Asian + African countries — confirm before traveling.
02
Head into town
Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro): 20 min, CLP 2,200 (€2.20).
Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Arturo Merino Benítez Airport by Centropuerto bus (to Pajaritos metro) (20 min, CLP 2,200 (€2.20)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Ready for Santiago?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in Santiago runs from about 9.8 hours in Jun to 14.2 in Dec. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.