Travelling from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL): What you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Panama City. Explore your options leaving from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB) when searching for a flight from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL).
The average duration of a direct Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport flight is 6 hours 35 minutes.
Arturo Merino Benitez Airport is located in Santiago. The city follows the UTC-3 timezone and is two hours ahead of Panama City.
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) is the most popular route. There are 35 direct weekly departures to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, hop on the last flight with Copa Airlines at 9:33pm. Opt for the first PTY to SCL departure operated by Copa Airlines at 11:44am if you're aiming for an earlier start.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Panama City to SCL. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
Travelling during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Airports in Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
You can book a direct flight from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) out of Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
Copa Airlines is a popular airline that offers direct flights from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport jetting out of PTY.
Most travellers prefer to book seats with Copa Airlines between PTY and SCL.
With an impressive 83.72% of services arriving as planned, Copa Airlines is the leading carrier for punctuality on this route.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing cheap flights from Panama City to SCL leaving from Tocumen International Airport (PTY), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM)
Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE)
Located around 21 kilometres from central Panama City, PTY can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Tocumen International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
Tocumen International Airport has a solid on-time record, reducing your chances of a delayed flight. Departures from PTY touch down on schedule 86.03% of the time.
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Panama City to PAC in about 25 minutes. The terminal is roughly 2 kilometres away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 5 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before your Panama City to SCL flight, kick back in one of these hotels near Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport:
Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB)
Searching for a plane ticket from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) with a stop or two can offer you a bigger choice of departure times and access to cheaper fares. When departing from Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB), here's where you can make a pit stop at on your way to SCL:
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE)
Alfonso B. Aragon Airport (CLO)
Is around BLB 16 kilometres from central Panama City. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay close to Panama Pacifico Airport and know you'll reach your boarding gate with time to spare. Settle in at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport flight:
With 86.75% of its departing flights arriving without delays, BLB is a dependable starting point for your trip.
About Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL)
If you have a late flight from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these options near SCL:
Grab an Arturo Merino Benitez Airport rental car and explore Santiago and beyond with your own set of wheels. Rosselot, united rent a car and Street Rent a Car are top outlets to choose from here.
Booking your ride around two weeks in advance of your Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) to central Santiago
Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to the centre of Santiago is about 13 kilometres. If you're taking a cab or renting a car, do some research to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times vary based on traffic and the time of day.
It typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes if you're using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL)
R 5,106 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport. A return flight starts at R 9,344. These prices may change based on availability and demand.
To find cheap flights from Panama City to SCL, book ahead. Airlines usually offer lower prices when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport tickets across the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Panama City to SCL couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Filters make it easier to dig up a deal for your flight from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport. Pick the departure times, carriers and stops that line up with your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL)
Picture the kind of break you want when planning your trip dates. May is the quietest month to visit Santiago. July is when most people book flights from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL), which may be ideal if you're chasing more action.
Lock in a Panama City to SCL plane ticket departing in January if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Santiago to range from 13ºC (55ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport in July if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -2ºC (28ºF) and 15ºC (59ºF).
More about Santiago
Once you've booked your flight from Panama City to Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Santiago:
There are loads of fantastic things to do in Santiago when you're in the mood to sightsee. Kick things off at Gran Torre Santiago followed by Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos and Iglesia Cristo Redentor.
Explore more of Chile
Santiago will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Chile you'll want to see. Around 241 kilometres south of Santiago, a visit to Talca will keep you busy. Check out popular attractions like Plaza la unión (Ex plaza Cienfuegos), Teatro Regional del Maule and Patio de los naranjos.
If there's time to check out another corner of Chile, head for Curicó, roughly 177 kilometres south of Santiago. La Familia Park, Plaza De Los Venados and Plaza De Armas are highlights.
