Traveling with children through Santiago airport is manageable, but the transport situation requires some planning — particularly around child car seats.
The car seat problem
Chilean law requires children to use appropriate car seats. However, the gap between the law and reality is wide. Standard airport taxis do not carry child seats. Ride-hailing drivers virtually never have them. If you flag down a regular taxi, you will not find one either.
Your options for a car seat are: bring your own (practical if you have a travel-friendly model), rent one with a rental car, or book a private transfer and request a child seat in advance. The last option is the most reliable if you do not want to haul your own seat through the airport.
The bus is not practical
The Centropuerto bus to the metro is cheap, but with children, strollers, car seats, and suitcases, it is a logistical headache. You need to load everything on the bus, ride to the metro station, transfer to a metro train, and navigate to your stop — all while keeping track of small children. This works for solo travelers, not for families.
What actually works for families
A private vehicle — whether a taxi or pre-booked transfer — is the practical choice. The question is just whether you arrange it in advance or at the airport.
The official taxi booths in arrivals work fine for families who do not need a car seat. You pay at the counter, get directed to a vehicle, and load up. A private car (not a shared van) is worth the extra cost with kids — shared vans make multiple stops and tired children do not enjoy extended rides.
A pre-booked transfer with a requested child seat solves the car seat issue entirely. The driver arrives with the seat already installed. You walk out, buckle the kids in, and go. This is the smoothest option for families with infants or toddlers.
Inside the airport
SCL has luggage carts available for a small fee. The terminal is single-level for arrivals, so you will not be hauling bags up and down stairs. Restrooms with changing facilities exist in the arrivals area. There is a small selection of food options if the kids are hungry after the flight, though prices are airport-standard.
Timing matters
If you can choose your arrival time, late morning or early afternoon means lighter traffic and shorter queues at immigration. Arriving during evening rush (5-8 PM) can mean a 60-80 minute drive to the city with cranky children in the back seat. Late evening arrivals have almost no traffic, but the transport options narrow significantly after 23:30.