Santiago Travel Forum

I have a 6 Hour Layover Next week in Santiago, and I've never been. I get in at 9:45 in the Morning. Is it worth Paying the fee at customs, and heading out to the City for Lunch? If so, does anyone have a suggestion as to where to go that will be fairly painless to and from the airport? Obviously some sort of cultural center that has lots of dining options and is fun to see would be nice.

Also, does anyone know if there is a place to store luggage at the airport?

Any details will be appreciated. Including, what transportation to take, where to go, etc...

Can I even do all this in 6 Hours? (what about checking back into customs to go to Mendoza)

Whew!

some years ago we had about the same time you have now and took the airport bus to the center and walked there for a while and after took the bus to the airport again

If you are a US citizen the reciprocity fee is now US$131. It is good for the life of your passport, but if you aren't planning to return to Chile in the future, it is a lot of money to spend for escaping the airport for a few hours.
Still, if you want to do it, hire an official taxi from the desk before you exit customs. This is going to be a lot quicker than the airport bus. Two possible options: go to the Bellavista neighbourhood, and the house of poet Pablo Neruda. From there walk to the funicular which goes up San Cristobal hill for views of Santiago. Come back down and go to any of the restaurants in the area which appeal to you or head for the Patio Bellavista, a complex of places to eat and craft stalls which is between Constitucion and Pio Nono streets. Second option, go to Lastarria street near the Santa Lucia hill and metro stop, It is a nice street with many restaurants on it or nearby, near the Bellas Artes. Also, at the top of Lastarria is the small but excellent private MAVI museum. A bit about the area here:
http://www.chipsites.com/ww/green-mile-bellas-artes-museums-santiago.html
In fact, the Green Mile is a good source for walking around town.
All museums will close on Mondays but be open on Sundays, so check what day of the week you arrive. Leave a good 45 minutes for returning to the airport. Check where the airport bus stops for returning. This is safer than taking a taxi on the street. You might be able to arrange a return pick up by the taxi which takes you into town.
There is a 'custodia' left luggage office in the airport for storing luggage. The departures is on the top floor and arrivals on the bottom floor. You would need to be at the airport at least 1.5 hours before your flight, so really weigh up how many useful hours you have.

There are pay for lounges in the international sterile section with showers, help yourself booze and snacks, magazines, sat TV, internet, comfortable seating, etc.

I recommend the AA Admirals Club lounge — $50 day pass and $25 for an additional person. Tha Lan Mistral lounge might also be good.

If you plan on doing that and there is an interline agreement between your arriving and departing airlines, have your bags checked all the way through to MDZ.