Updated: June 2026.

Nuevo Pudahuel already gives the layover answer: official taxis, buses, minibuses, and authorized transfer companies. That is enough to replace the generic “city visit or airport hotel” template with something usable.

If your layover is short, the only real question is which airport-approved option gets you into the city without wasting the whole window.

Fast answer

Best default: taxi.

Cheapest reasonable option: bus.

Best with luggage: taxi.

Best late at night: taxi.

Option to avoid: unverified curbside offers and anything this page does not explicitly keep.

Arrival decision point

After baggage claim, use the airport’s official transport guidance and choose the signed option. Layovers are not the time to start a transport improvisation hobby.

Transport options

taxi

Best for: The official transport page lists taxis in the airport’s transport center.

How to use it: Use taxi when you want the simplest move into Santiago during a layover.

Watch out: The airport even highlights prepaid, digital taximeter style handling for the official service.

Common mistake: Treating any curbside driver as part of the airport system.

What to do if it fails: If taxi is not clean enough, use bus or an authorized transfer instead.

bus

Best for: The official transport page lists buses and minibuses.

How to use it: Use bus if the route and time fit your layover window.

Watch out: It is the cheaper option, but only if the timing does not eat the whole layover.

Common mistake: Thinking the airport bus stop will solve a two-hour layover on its own.

What to do if it fails: If bus is awkward, switch to taxi.

transfer

Best for: The airport lists authorized transfer companies.

How to use it: Use this only if a pre-booked transfer still makes sense for the time you have.

Watch out: It is a fallback, not a sightseeing strategy.

Common mistake: Assuming “transfer” means every private car service is automatically official.

What to do if it fails: If transfer is not necessary, use taxi first.

Late-night fallback

If the cheaper option looks messy, stop trying to outsmart the airport. Use the default option and move on.

Common mistakes

1. Treating a layover page like a full city guide.

2. Believing any driver or bus stop is automatically official.

3. Choosing the cheaper option when it clearly costs more time than you have.

FAQ

What is the best default?

taxi.

What is the cheapest reasonable option?

bus.

Can I use something else instead?

Only if this page keeps it as a verified airport option.

Sources

Nuevo Pudahuel lists official taxis, buses, minibuses, and authorized transfer companies in the airport transport center.