About flights from Santiago (SCL)
Arturo Merino Benítez punches well above its weight. With 63 direct destinations across 19 countries and a reach score of 84 out of 99, SCL is genuinely one of South America's most useful hubs — not just a stopover airport, but a real launching pad. I've routed through here specifically because the connections make sense, and the airport itself is clean, navigable, and surprisingly stress-free for an international hub of this size. Chile's geography forces interesting routing decisions, which actually works in your favor as a traveler. You're looking at everything from a 196 km hop to Mendoza, Argentina all the way to a 11,674 km haul to Paris on Air France. That range is rare.
Quick stats for SCL
- Direct destinations: 63
- Countries served: 19
- Continents reached: 4 of 6
- Average flight distance: 4,049 km
- Longest non-stop: Paris (CDG) — 11,674 km (~14h 36m)
- Shortest non-stop: Mendoza (MDZ) — 196 km (~15 min)
- Reach score: 84/99
Why fly to Santiago?
Six U.S. gateways fly direct to SCL — American, Delta, and others — which means positioning flights from most North American cities are genuinely easy to piece together. Brazil alone has 10 direct routes out of here, so if you're building a South America multi-city trip, Santiago is a logical anchor point rather than an afterthought. Culturally, the city rewards a longer stay. The wine regions of Maipo and Casablanca sit within an hour of the airport. Patagonia is a cheap domestic connection away. Ten routes into Brazil means you can tack on Rio or São Paulo without a complicated itinerary. Airlines like Avianca and Copa add regional flexibility that budget travelers underestimate — those fare classes often hold better award availability than the legacy carriers flying the same routes.
Longest non-stop flights from SCL
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Santiago:
- Paris, France (CDG) — 11,674 km, approximately 14h 36m
- London, United Kingdom (LHR) — 11,654 km, approximately 14h 34m
- Sydney, Australia (SYD) — 11,341 km, approximately 14h 11m
- Melbourne, Australia (MEL) — 11,295 km, approximately 14h 7m
- Barcelona, Spain (BCN) — 11,151 km, approximately 13h 56m
Short-haul flights from SCL
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Santiago:
- Mendoza, Argentina (MDZ) — 196 km, approximately 15 min
- La Serena, Chile (LSC) — 389 km, approximately 29 min
- Concepcion, Chile (CCP) — 429 km, approximately 32 min
- Temuco, Chile (ZCO) — 637 km, approximately 48 min
- Cordoba, Argentina (COR) — 660 km, approximately 50 min
Top countries by direct connections from SCL
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport connects to 19 countries. Here are the most served:
- Chile — 16 destinations (Antofagasta, Arica, Balmaceda, Calama and 12 more)
- Brazil — 10 destinations (Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Curitiba, Florianopolis and 6 more)
- USA — 6 destinations (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and 2 more)
- Argentina — 6 destinations (Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza and 2 more)
- Colombia — 4 destinations (Bogota, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin)
- Peru — 3 destinations (Cuzco, Lima, Trujillo)
- Spain — 2 destinations (Barcelona, Madrid)
- Mexico — 2 destinations (Cancun, Mexico City)
Where to fly from Santiago
Flights to Chile
Santiago has 16 direct routes to Chile:
- La Serena (LSC) — 389 km
- Concepcion (CCP) — 429 km
- Temuco (ZCO) — 637 km
- Copiapo (CPO) — 679 km
- Valdivia (ZAL) — 725 km
- Osorno (ZOS) — 826 km
- ...and 10 more destinations
Flights to Brazil
Santiago has 10 direct routes to Brazil:
- Iguassu Falls (IGU) — 1,797 km
- Porto Alegre (POA) — 1,891 km
- Florianopolis (FLN) — 2,219 km
- Curitiba (CWB) — 2,263 km
- Sao Paulo (GRU) — 2,615 km
- Rio De Janeiro (GIG) — 2,935 km
- ...and 4 more destinations
Flights to USA
Santiago has 6 direct routes to USA:
- Miami (MIA) — 6,658 km
- Houston (IAH) — 7,505 km
- Atlanta (ATL) — 7,589 km
- Dallas (DFW) — 7,866 km
- New York (JFK) — 8,239 km
- Los Angeles (LAX) — 8,987 km
Tips for travelers at SCL
Centropuerto and Turbus both run reliable bus services from SCL into downtown Miraflores and Pajaritos metro station for under $5 USD — don't default to taxis unless you're splitting the cost. Budget about 45 minutes to the city center in normal traffic, longer during rush hour. Flying in winter (June through August)? Domestic Patagonia routes book up fast, so lock those down early. The international terminal handles departures well, but arrive 3 hours ahead for any U.S.-bound flights — CBP preclearance lines move unpredictably and missing a transatlantic connection here is a painful experience.
Airlines operating from SCL
The following airlines offer non-stop flights from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport:
AA, AC, AF, AM, AR, AV, BA, CM, DL, DM, H2, IB, JA, KL, LA, OB, QF, TK, UA
Frequently asked questions about flying to Santiago
What's the best way to get from Arturo Merino Benítez Airport to Santiago's city center?
You can take the modern Metro Line 5 directly from the airport to downtown Santiago for around 3,000 CLP (about $3.50 USD), or grab a taxi/Uber for roughly 25,000-35,000 CLP ($30-40 USD) depending on traffic. The Metro is faster and more budget-friendly, taking about 30-40 minutes.
When is the best time to fly to or from Santiago?
Visit during Chile's summer (December-February) for great weather, or shoulder seasons (October-November and March-April) for fewer crowds and better prices. Avoid winter months (June-August) if you're not prepared for cooler temperatures and potential rain.
How many direct flights can I catch from Santiago Airport?
Arturo Merino Benítez offers 63 non-stop destinations, connecting you to major cities across South America, North America, Europe, and Asia without any layovers. This makes it one of South America's most connected hubs!
Do I need a visa to enter Chile through Santiago?
Most visitors from the US, EU, Canada, and Australia don't need a visa and can stay up to 90 days with just a passport, though some nationalities do require one. Check your specific country's requirements on the Chilean government website before traveling.
What's a practical tip for Arturo Merino Benítez Airport?
Download the airport's mobile app or take a photo of the terminal map when you arrive—the airport is large and well-organized, but having a reference helps you quickly locate gates, restaurants, and bathrooms. Also, arrive at least 2.5 hours early for international flights since security lines can get busy during peak hours.
What's a budget-friendly way to handle money at Santiago Airport?
Skip the airport's currency exchange counters (high fees!) and withdraw Chilean pesos directly from ATMs, which offer better rates, or use your credit card at most shops. If you need cash immediately, ATMs are plentiful and reliable throughout the airport.
Plan your trip from Santiago
Browse the complete list of 63 destinations below to find your next flight from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.