El Calafate is the gateway to the
Glaciers National Park (Parque Nacional Los Glaciares) which is home to the famous
Perito Moreno Glacier.This small city on the edge of Lake Argentino (Lago Argentino) is also a hub for visiting Mount Fitz Roy (
Chaltén) and Cerro Torre.
Both cities have a wealth of activities available to them for whatever interests you. Many people want to visit both when in Patagonia because they are relatively close. This article provides information on how to arrive into the cities and then how to transfer between them depending on what you want to do!
Arriving into El Calafate and Ushuaia from elsewhere in Argentina
Both El Calafate and Ushuaia have airports where flights from across Argentina arrive into. Ushuaia is roughly a 3.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires and El Calafate is slightly shorter at 3 hours. Both airports have flights from Aeroparque and Ezeiza airports.
El Calafate and Ushuaia are accessible from other parts of Argentina too. Direct flights from Córdoba, Salta, Río Gallegos and San Carlos de Bariloche to name but a few are available.
Buses are available to both El Calafate and Ushuaia from across Argentina and Chile. Most routes will involve a change in Río Gallegos, but you must be aware that buses to this remote region will take upwards of 30 hours. Check out the fares for both buses and planes, compare, and decide which you would prefer to take.
Take a flight
If you are stuck for time then flying will be your best option. Within less than an hour and a half you can fly between Ushuaia and El Calafate. Aerolineas Argentinas make the flight once daily but be sure to book it early to get a good price.
Travelling by bus or car
Travelling over ground will take considerably longer than flying, but it is possible for those who have more time to explore this region. The quickest route by bus or car is via Rio Gallegos. Although, this will still take you at least 15 hours. There isn’t a huge amount to do or see in Río Gallegos, but some attractions include the Laguna Azul, Cabo Vírgenes Penguins and the famous estancias home to thousands of sheep living on the plains.
A more interesting route that is possible both by car and bus is via Punta Arenas (Chile) and Puerto Natales. The first part of the journey to Punta Arennas will take about 12 hours by bus, by car you will likely want to stop somewhere in the middle to spend the night. You will cross the Magellan Strait and then head towards the Chilean Andes. Punta Arenas is an exciting place that is ideal for breaking up a journey. Two days in the town would suffice, allowing time to visit attractions such as Isla Magdalena, Plaza Munoz Gamero and Hill of the Cross (Mirador Cerro de la Cruz). The next leg of the journey to Puerto Natales will take about three hours. This city is the base for exploring the Torres del Paine National Park and is well worth the stop. The national park is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and within the park you can wildlife-watch, kayak and trek through the magnificent landscapes. The city is also situated on the Last Hope Sound (Seno de Última Esperanza) and is surrounded by fjords, glaciers and mountains. The final leg of the journey will cross back over into Argentina and alongside the Andes up to El Calafate. This route can be done completed both north-south and south-north.
How to choose
Depending on the time you have available and what you want to see will influence your decision.
Tangol are able to help you plan your journey across Patagonia through tailor-made tours created by experts.