Santiago Departure

[pauon]

We will be on the Sapphire Princess for a South America cruise in January.  Is an 11 AM flight to early?  Normally we would go later, but slim pickens on flights and high prices.  How far is the cruise dock to the airport?  Any suggestions would be wonderful!  Avid travelers and cruises and have never tried to cut it that close.  Thanks in advance.

[terry&mike]

You'll likely be porting in San Antonio, Chile, the airport in Santiago is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from the port, if there is no traffic. For an international flight from Chile, the recommended arrival time at the airport is usually 2.5-3 hours, although I do think you could do it with 2 hours. 

So, in backing up your time, be at the airport no later than 9a for sure, depart the port no later than 7:30a. You'll need to allow some time to process through port Customs and Immigration, so maybe off ship by 7a, maybe even 6:30a? You'll need to do self disembark (carry your own luggage), and have private transfers ready and waiting.

What time are you scheduled to arrive in port? You should be able to disembark approximately an hour after that time. 

And finally, South America generally runs at a slower pace, so some extra time and patience may be needed for the different lines of departing the pier, and checking in at the airport. 

[pauon]

On 3/12/2023 at 7:15 AM, terry&mike said:

You'll likely be porting in San Antonio, Chile, the airport in Santiago is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from the port, if there is no traffic. For an international flight from Chile, the recommended arrival time at the airport is usually 2.5-3 hours, although I do think you could do it with 2 hours. 

So, in backing up your time, be at the airport no later than 9a for sure, depart the port no later than 7:30a. You'll need to allow some time to process through port Customs and Immigration, so maybe off ship by 7a, maybe even 6:30a? You'll need to do self disembark (carry your own luggage), and have private transfers ready and waiting.

What time are you scheduled to arrive in port? You should be able to disembark approximately an hour after that time. 

And finally, South America generally runs at a slower pace, so some extra time and patience may be needed for the different lines of departing the pier, and checking in at the airport. 

Thank you !

[vickie_bernie]

I would not recommend.  Port is 1,5 hrs away from airport with ideal conditions.  

 

It is an industrial pier and everyone must take the shuttle from the ship to the pier building,  

 

There is no option for self disembarkation with all your bags, unless all you have is a carryon. Everyone needs to out bags out the night prior.  

 

This season the Sapphire usually docked around 7 am. Once cleared of customs first guests got off around 730.  Give yourself a half hour to get off and take shuttle and get bags, another half hour to clear customs and get into transportation  make sure you have your own transportation so you aren'twaiting for others.  1.5 hrs to Santiago. 

 

That puts you at airport 10.  And that is if everything works perfectly, which I rarely does.   

 

Book later flight for peace of mind,

[MarciAnn]

How far is the cruise port from the hotel area of Santiago?

[mcmarya]

It looks like around 70 miles.  You need to allow plenty of time due to the arrangements at the port of San Antonio and the distance to Santiago.  The airport is also around 70 miles if you go directly there.  Either way, I would allow at least 90 minutes for the trip.