£367+ Cheap flights to Santiago

Santiago overview

Protected by the towering peaks of the Andes, Santiago is a sprawling capital city rich in history, culture and national pride. The city is now a thriving cultural haven that is one of the most visited sites in Latin America. With museums boasting walls of priceless artwork, nightclubs blasting the best dance music until the wee hours of the morning and restaurants serving up heaping portions of humitas (sweet corn cakes) it’s no wonder that visitors are flocking to the city. 

Santiago is ideal as a jumping off point for further travel within Chile and throughout South America as well. Visit Santiago for a vacation in this urban oasis complete with the majestic sight of the Andes in the distance or venture off to the nearby port town of Valparaíso for a dream-like seaside stay. Santiago is a metropolis that embraces its rich history as well as the youthful energy of its inhabitants. Colonial buildings and magnificent churches are just as prevalent as bungalows covered in sprawling graffiti murals and street fairs, and it’s this mix of pride and ingenuity that keeps visitors entertained all year round.

Santiago climate

Summers (December to February) in Santiago are sweltering. The city’s location in the middle of a valley means that pollution and humidity tend to settle over Santiago and temperatures can reach as high as 30 degrees during the day. Though the sun can be brutal in the summer time, this is still the busiest time of year in Santiago. Winter months (June through September) are mild with some precipitation and average temperatures hovering around 11 degrees.

Getting around Santiago

International buses from Argentina and Bolivia arrive regularly at the Terminal de Buses Santiago and Terminal los Heroes. More than a million people ride Santiago’s metro, one of the best and cleanest in South America, each day. If you’re planning on staying in town for more than a day, get a travel pass to get discounted fares.            

Getting from the Airport to the City

Travellers who book flights to Santiago will arrive at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), which is also known as Santiago International Airport and Pudahuel Airport. It is located in Pudahuel, which is 9 miles (15 km) north-west of Santiago’s city centre.             

What is good to know if travelling to Santiago?

• Pablo Neruda, the beloved Nobel Prize winning Chilean poet who passed away at home in Santiago in 1973, is one of the most celebrated poets in Latin American literature. Neruda’s three houses in Chile are some of the most sought after attractions in the country. One house remains in the hills of Santiago, while the other two are within two hours of the Chilean capital. La Chascona, Neruda’s residence in Santiago, is a must-see for literature buffs visiting Santiago. Neruda was a collector of several eccentricities, including shoes of all sizes, seashells, and the figureheads of boats, and fragments of his colourful collections are scattered throughout his homes. 
• Those with an affinity and appreciation for street art should head to Bella Vista. Bella vista, meaning “beautiful view” in Spanish, is an apt name for this neighbourhood whose walls are covered in vibrantly coloured murals. Bella Vista is also home to some of the most popular restaurants and bars in Santiago. Be sure to stroll by the vendors selling jewellery and crafts on the sidewalks during weekend afternoons to pick up some funky souvenirs before your return flight. 
• The Andes Mountains are the longest exposed mountain range in the world and lie to the east of Santiago. Chances are you’ll fly directly over their snowy peaks so grab a window seat on your flight to Santiago for the aerial views of the mountains. With the Andes so close by, plenty of ski bunnies and outdoor sports enthusiasts visit Santiago to take advantage of the excellent snow conditions the mountain range has to offer at El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado, three of the most popular Andean ski resorts. 
• History buffs shouldn’t miss the Plaza de Armas, located in the centre of the city. Home to the city’s 18th century cathedral and the former governor’s residence, which today serves as the main post office of the city, Plaza de Armas is a great place to start any walking tour of downtown Santiago and a lively spot to visit at night. 
• Palacio La Moneda is Chile’s presidential palace. The building was damaged significantly during the military coup orchestrated by Augusto Pinochet Ugarte in 1973. When Pinochet died in 2006, the population of Santiago spilled into the streets in conflicting mix of protest and mourning and the raucous, joyous crowd that gathered behind La Moneda is testament to the turmoil caused by Chile’s former dictator. For another look at Chile’s tumultuous political past, head to Cementerio General. Salvador Allende, Chile’s first socialist-elect president, is buried there, as are several other political figures and diplomats. 
• If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, hop on a bus and head to Valparaíso. Known locally as simply “Valpo”, Valparaíso is a surreal coastal town that tumbles into the Pacific Ocean, and is made up of thousands of tiny, Technicolor clapboard houses built on top of each other. The beaches of nearby Viña del Mar are accessible by train, so regardless of where you’re standing in Valpo you’re met with breathtaking views of the bay and a reviving sea breeze.

Santiago airport overview

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport is Chile’s largest airport. It is also known as Pudahuel Airport. Fifteen airlines use the airport’s two terminals: one for international flights, one for domestic. It is a hub for Chile’s main airline – LAN – as well as several domestic airlines.