Meet your car at Arturo Merino Benitez terminal and drive directly onto the Autopista Costanera Norte or Ruta 5 south.
Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) sits about 18 km north-west of Santiago city centre and operates a single terminal handling both international and domestic flights. After you collect your luggage, your rental starts at the terminal: depending on the local supplier assigned to your booking, you will either meet a representative holding a sign or visit a desk in the arrivals hall. The supplier's contact details and exact meeting point appear in your voucher.
This page focuses on collecting a car directly at the airport after your flight. You provide your flight number when booking so the supplier can monitor delays, and you drive away within minutes of leaving customs. If you prefer to collect from a location inside Santiago itself - perhaps after a night in Providencia or near Plaza de Armas - visit our Santiago city rental page instead. That page covers downtown pickups, urban parking, and longer city stays. Here we concentrate on airport logistics: terminals, highway access, and routes out of SCL.
The airport route network spreads in three main directions. East on Autopista Costanera Norte takes you into central Santiago in 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. South on Autopista Central connects to Ruta 5, the Pan-American Highway, opening Patagonia and Puerto Montt. West on Ruta 68 leads to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar in under two hours. When you specify "Santiago Airport" in the widget's location field, you see only cars available for terminal collection, so the search results match your arrival time exactly.
Four steps separate touchdown from the toll plaza. The whole process takes fifteen to thirty minutes if your documents are ready and the flight arrives on schedule.
After you collect your checked bags and pass customs, head to the arrivals hall. Check your voucher for the supplier's desk location or meet-and-greet sign. International arrivals and domestic arrivals share the same exit corridor, so the process is identical regardless of your origin airport.
Look for a representative holding a card with your name or the 4Drive logo, or walk to the rental desk shown in your voucher. Present the voucher, your driving licence, and the card you will use for payment. The supplier verifies your flight landed and confirms the reservation details.
You sign the rental contract on the spot. The supplier records any existing scratches or dents in a condition report, which both parties initial. They explain the fuel policy - usually full-to-full - and optional extras such as a second driver or child seat. If your car does not require a deposit, the voucher states that; otherwise the supplier blocks a sum on your card.
The representative walks you to the car park level, points out any features you need - spare tyre, jack, high-visibility vest - and confirms the return procedure. Follow the "Salida" signs to exit the terminal loop, then merge onto Autopista Costanera Norte east, Autopista Central south, or continue west toward the coast on Ruta 68.
When you search in the widget above, use the "Specify location" field to select Santiago Airport rather than a city address. That filter shows only suppliers who operate at SCL and match your flight time.
Five common routes begin at SCL. Distances and surface types determine which car suits your trip; a compact sedan handles paved highways, while gravel or mountain passes call for higher clearance.
The table below shows examples of models regularly offered at SCL. Actual availability depends on season and booking lead time; the search widget displays live stock and conditions for your dates.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan March | Economy hatchback | Solo travellers, short city trips, tight parking |
| Hyundai Grand i10 | Economy hatchback | Two passengers, airport-to-hotel shuttle, paved routes |
| Toyota Yaris | Compact hatchback | Weekend coastal drives, moderate luggage |
| Kia Soluto | Compact sedan | Longer highway journeys, fuel economy |
| Citroen C3 | Compact hatchback | Urban and motorway mix, easy manoeuvrability |
| Hyundai i20 | Compact hatchback | Three passengers, balanced comfort and size |
| MG ZS | Compact crossover | Higher seating position, extra boot space |
| Hyundai Creta | Compact crossover | Families, mixed paved and gravel roads |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | Compact crossover | Long-distance comfort, clearance for rough car parks |
These models represent typical inventory. The widget search returns the exact car, transmission type, and conditions - including deposit requirement and accepted payment methods - for your chosen pickup date at Santiago Airport.
A few practical points smooth the collection and drop-off process at SCL. Most delays stem from missing documents or unclear return instructions, both of which you can prepare before you board.
Selected cars at SCL do not require a deposit block, and some accept debit cards or cash for the balance. These conditions vary by individual vehicle, so the search results display the exact terms before you confirm.
Run a search for your dates in the widget. Each car listing states whether a deposit applies. If you see "No deposit required," the supplier will not block any sum on your card when you collect the vehicle; you still remain liable up to the excess amount printed in the contract if damage occurs, but no funds are frozen during the rental period.
Not every model or supplier offers this condition. Availability depends on the season and how far in advance you book. The no-deposit badge appears only on eligible cars, so filter results accordingly.
You pay a booking advance online by card when you reserve. The remaining balance is due at the SCL counter or meet point. Each car's listing shows which payment methods the supplier accepts for that model: debit card, cash, or credit card. Some vehicles accept all three; others restrict you to one or two options.
If the car you want accepts only a credit card and you do not have one, consider asking your bank to raise the limit on your debit card so it can cover both the balance and any deposit block. For full details on how the advance and balance system works, read our payment methods guide.
Common queries about collecting a car at Arturo Merino Benitez terminal and driving away on Chilean highways.
Yes, if the car you choose accepts debit cards or cash for the balance payment. Each vehicle listing in the search shows which payment methods that specific model permits. Some cars require a credit card; others allow you to pay the remaining sum with a debit card or cash when you collect the keys at SCL.
Your voucher states the exact meeting point: either a desk in the arrivals hall or a representative holding a sign with your name. Arturo Merino Benitez has a single terminal, so both international and domestic passengers exit into the same corridor. Follow the instructions in your confirmation email and look for the supplier's branding or the 4Drive logo.
Because you provide your flight number at booking, the supplier monitors arrivals and adjusts the meeting time automatically. If the delay exceeds two hours, contact the phone number in your voucher to confirm the representative will wait. Short delays of thirty to sixty minutes rarely cause any issue.
Three main routes start at SCL. Autopista Costanera Norte runs east into Santiago city in twenty to thirty minutes. Autopista Central heads south and joins Ruta 5, the Pan-American Highway, towards Rancagua, Concepcion, and Puerto Montt. Ruta 68 goes west to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, about 120 km away. All three are paved toll roads; some require electronic payment, others accept card or cash at plazas.
A foreign driving licence is accepted in Chile, but an international driving permit is recommended because it provides a Spanish translation. Police on Ruta 5 or Ruta 68 may ask to see both documents during random checks. Check your rental agreement at pickup for any additional requirements the local supplier specifies.
Follow "Aeropuerto SCL" signs from Autopista Costanera Norte into the terminal loop. Your voucher shows the return area: either a numbered bay in the rental car park or a phone number to call when you arrive. Fill the tank at a Copec or Shell station about 5 km before the airport, allow fifteen minutes for the inspection, and keep your contract and receipt ready for the supplier.
Run a search now to see live availability, deposit conditions, and accepted payment methods for every car at SCL. Your booking advance is paid online; the balance follows at pickup. Free cancellation applies if your plans change.