Getting to Patagonia - Transportation & Airports
To say Patagonia is remote is an understatement. Encompassing the southern regions of both
Argentina and
Chile, Patagonia is accessed via flights from
Buenos Aires, and
Santiago respectively. There are no direct flights from North America or Europe. Direct flights between Patagonian Chile and Argentina are rare, so transport between countries is generally done overland.
Patagonia's Main Airports
Ushuaia, Argentina - a 3.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires also has 1.5-hour flights to El Calafate (or a 24+ hour bus ride!). Only 4 flights per week to Punta Arenas or a 12-hour bus + ferry ride complicate international transport. Airport: Ushuaia – Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (USH)
El Calafate, Argentina - a 3.25 hour flight from Buenos Aires is the access point for Perrito Moreno Glacier, El Chalten & Glacier National Park. With no flights to Punta Arenas, a 5 hour bus ride to Puerto Natales, then 3 hours to Punta Arenas. El Calafate's airport is Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE).
Punta Arenas, Chile - located on the Strait of Magellan, is a 3.25 hour flight from Santiago. Buses/cars to Puerto Natales (2 hours) is the access point for Torres del Paine. Airport Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ).
United States - There are no direct flights from the
US to
Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, and
El Calafate, but there are 1 stop flights to all of the airports. Check out the
US embassy's advice for travel to
Argentina and
Chile.
Canada - There are 2 stop flights from
Montreal and
Toronto to all the
Patagonia airports. Check out the
Canadian embassy's advice for travel to
Argentina and
Chile.
New Zealand - Getting from New Zealand to Argentina or Chile can be a long trip, it is likely you will have to stop at 4 different airports to get to one of the Patagonian airports. Cherck New Zealand's embassy's advice for travel to
Argentina and
Chile.
Australia and the
United Kingdom have restrictions for international travel for tourism, check out the UK's and Australia's official website to see up to date information.