Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)

Layover Guide

Making the most of your stopover at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport — hotels, city tours and transit tips.

Your SCL Layover at a Glance

City AccessAccessible
Minimum layover for city5 hours

Best use of a long layover

The historic center — Plaza de Armas, Palacio de La Moneda, and the Bellas Artes museum district — is the efficient choice on a short window; Sky Costanera offers an Andes-backdrop skyline view without going all the way downtown.

Inside the airport

T2's international side has duty-free shopping, a reasonable food selection, and paid lounge access; it's a comfortable modern terminal but not built around long-layover entertainment.

There's no true in-terminal hotel; landside options near the airport (an airport-branded Holiday Inn and a couple of Diego de Almagro properties) are a short drive away and workable for an overnight layover — confirm current shuttle timing directly.

Most passports — EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and dozens more — get 90 days visa-free, so a landside trip into Santiago is usually straightforward; Chile has phased out the old per-nationality reciprocity fees for most of these travelers, but it's worth confirming your specific nationality isn't an exception.
Transit visa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Chile before travel.

Layover Duration Guide

Under 3 hrs
Stay Airside

Grab a meal, use the lounge or rest. Not enough time to clear immigration and return safely.

3 – 6 hrs
Airport Exploration

Explore landside facilities, duty-free and airport dining. Consider a transit hotel if you need rest.

6 – 12 hrs
Quick City Visit

Enough time to visit Santiago city centre if transit visa permits. Allow 3 hrs buffer for return and re-entry.

12 hrs+
Overnight Stay

Book a nearby hotel. You can explore Santiago properly — consider a guided tour to maximise your time.

Hotels Near SCL

Staying close to the airport? Airport hotels and transit hotels let you rest without a long transfer.

Recommended · Hotels
Find Hotels Near SCL

Airport hotels, transit stays and Santiago city centre options — free cancellation on most bookings.

Search hotels →

LandingAtlas may earn a commission when you book through affiliate links. This does not affect the price you pay.

City Tours from SCL

Short on time? Layover tours are designed to fit your connection window — pickup from the airport, back before your gate opens.

Recommended · Tours
Santiago Layover Tours

Half-day and layover-specific tours with airport pickup. See the highlights of Santiago without missing your connection.

Browse tours →

LandingAtlas may earn a commission when you book through affiliate links. This does not affect the price you pay.

Practical Tips for Your SCL Layover

Use left-luggage storage at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport if you plan to leave the terminal — most airports offer coin lockers or staffed storage near arrivals.
Get a Chile eSIM before your layover so you have data for maps and translation the moment you land.
Download offline maps for Santiago in advance — useful if you leave the terminal and connectivity is patchy.
Always allow at least 3 hours buffer before your next departure when leaving the airport — immigration queues are unpredictable.
Check your next airline's check-in deadline. Some require you to be at the gate 45–60 minutes before departure.
Recommended · eSIM
Stay Connected in Chile

Activate a Chile eSIM on Airalo before you travel — instant data, no SIM card queue at the airport.

Browse Chile plans →

LandingAtlas may earn a commission when you purchase through affiliate links.

← Back to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport overview