Flights to Patagonia: key information
- For travel to Chilean Patagonia your international flight must fly into Santiago International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, officially known as Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport. Onward domestic flights to Patagonia also depart from this airport.
- For travel to Argentinean Patagonia, your international flight must fly into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, officially known as Ministro Pistarini International Airport. If you're arriving from elsewhere in Latin America, a small number of flights also land at Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP), also in Buenos Aires.
How do I get to Patagonia?
Airports in Patagonia
Argentina
While international flights arrive into EZE, many flights on to Patagonia leave from Aeroparque – Jorge Newbery (AEP), the domestic city airport. When arranging your travel it is therefore important to factor a few hours’ connection time.
From Buenos Aires you can fly to: Ushuaia (3 hr 30 min), El Calafate (3 hr 15 min), Bariloche (2 hr 30 min), Tierra del Fuego (Rio Grande) (3 hr 30 min), Puerto Madryn (2 hrs), Puerto Pirámides (2 hrs), and Rio Gallegos (a 3 hour 30 min drive to Puerto Natales) (3 hr 15 min).
Domestic routes include: El Calafate to Bariloche (1 hr 45 min) and El Calafate to Ushuaia (1 hr 20 min).
Chile
If you’re exploring Chilean Torres del Paine, you’ll find that flights to Puerto Natales are either non-existent for your travel dates, or few limited/expensive. Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) operates as the most popular for getting to the park at this time, from here it is a 3 hour bus journey to Puerto natales and then an additional 2 hours into the park.
From Santiago flights include: Punta Arenas (3 hr 20 min), Puerto Montt (2 hrs), and Balmaceda (2 hr 20 min).
Domestic routes include: Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams (1 hr 15 min) and Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas (2 hrs).
The interactive map below shows the locations of the key airports which are useful for accessing the varied regions of Patagonia. Open it in a new tab to help you plan your journey.
Swoop says
It is important to make sure that you fly into the same country that your destination is in. For example, it would be difficult to get from Buenos Aires to an airport in Chilean Patagonia.
Swoop says
UK passport holders do not require a Visa.
However, some nationalities may be required to pay a reciprocity fee.
Getting around Patagonia
Chilean Patagonia
Travelling on the Carretera Austral
- By bus – Generally speaking, buses in Patagonia are safe and comfortable. Overnight services offer cater for dinner, breakfast and drinks. There are four different styles of seats available, ranging from a clásico which is like a traditional airline seat, to a premium/deluxe with a 170° recline, blanket and pillow, and hostess service.
- By boat – Naviera Austral offer ferry services from Puerto Montt on various routes through the fjords. They operate two basic boats, which are slow but offer wonderful views. Navimag operates a ferry service between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales. The journey of 4 days 3 nights is mostly calm, but there is one stretch of crossing that can be choppy.
- By plane – The distances in Chile are vast which makes flying a time-efficient option. The two main operators for internal flights are Sky Airline and LATAM Airlines (also known as LAN). Always give yourself much more time than you think you need for transfers and connections. From Santiago you can fly to Punta Arenas year round. Alternatively, in the summer months you can fly direct to Puerto Natales.
- By private transfer – Private transfers save a lot of time and take you to exactly where you want to be, but they can be very expensive. For some travellers avoiding the hassle is more than worth the cost.
Argentinean Patagonia
- By bus – Numerous buses rumble along the paved and unpaved roads of Argentine Patagonia connecting all the cities. For specific information have a look at Omnilineas site. Patagonia is vast so bus travel requires patience, however, the scenic vistas very much reward this. As with Chile, there are four different seat options and catered overnight services.
- By plane – Within Argentine Patagonia there are several airports you can use, including: (from north to south) San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC), Esquel (EQS), El Calafate (FTE), Ushuaia (USH). There are two airlines we’d recommend to travel between these airports: Aerolineas Argentinas and LATAM. Beware the low luggage allowance on domestic flights with these airlines.
- By private transfer – As above, this comes at an extra cost but may be worthwhile for the additional time in a place.
Customer Tips
“ Make sure you book your regional flight with the same company as your international flight. We got stranded both ways due to delays and since they weren't with the same company, they would not work together to get us there without a charge. ”
Justin Customer
“ The only slight difficulty I had was trying to find a working cash machine, especially in El Calafate. There were also limits on the amount of cash you could withdraw so I would advise / warn people to pay online in advance as much as possible, and to bring some cash with them. ”
Simon Customer
Swoop says
We can help you work out the best itinerary, or decide which regional airports will serve you best.
What Our Customers Think of How to get to Patagonia
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1-855-369-7866Getting to Patagonia FAQs
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How do I fly to Patagonia from the UK?
Flights to Argentina from the UK
British Airways now operate a direct flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Ezeiza airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, which takes 13-14 hours. Indirect flights, via Madrid, the USA or Brazil will probably work out cheaper, but do add a few hours to your journey and add some risk around connections.
Flights to Chile from the UK
You can now fly directly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Santiago (SCL) as well as flying via Madrid, which makes for a relatively smooth and quick journey.
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How do I fly to Patagonia from the USA?
Flights to Argentina from the US
USA to Buenos Aires - There are flights from several of the larger airports in the USA, either direct or with a stop. Below we've listed flights from some major cities, but we're more than happy to help you find and book a flight from anywhere else in the United States - just get in touch.
- New York, NY - American Airlines fly direct from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) once a day, with flight times of approximately 10 hours 35 minutes.
- Miami, FL - There are several daily direct flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) which take around 9 hours. American Airlines fly 2 to 3 times per day, and LAN Airlines once a day.
- Dallas, TX - American Airlines have one direct flight each day from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), with a flight time of about 10 hours 20 minutes.
- Atlanta, GA - Delta Airlines operate a direct daily flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which has a flight time of around 9 hours 35 minutes.
Flights to Chile from the US
USA to Santiago - There are flights from a number of major airports in the USA to Santiago, either direct or with a stop. Details of flights from some cities are listed below, but we're happy to help you find and book flights from anywhere in the United States - just get in touch.
- New York, NY - LAN Airlines fly direct to Santiago avery day from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) , with a flight time of approximately 10 hours 55 minutes. In addition, there are around 3 flights a week which stop once at Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Peru. These flights are operated by LAN Colombia and have a total journey time of just over 13 hours.
- Los Angeles, CA - There is a daily flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), operated by LAN Airlines. These flights have one stop at Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Peru, and the journey takes around 13 and a half hours in total.
- Miami, FL - There is a daily direct flight from Miami International Airport (MIA), operated by American Airlines, with LAN Airlines also flying direct up to twice a day. The flight times are approximately 8 hours 30 minutes.
- Dallas, TX - American Airlines fly direct once a day from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The flight takes around 9 hours 40 minutes.
- Atlanta, GA - There is a direct flight operated by Delta Air Lines, which flies daily from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with a flight time of approximately 10 hours 10 minutes.
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How do I fly to Patagonia from Australia?
Flights to Argentina from Australia
Australia to Buenos Aires - There are no direct flights to Buenos Aires. The most efficient way to make this journey is to fly to Santiago and then take a connecting flight to Buenos Aires. Flights from Santiago (SCL) to Buenos Aires (EZE) are regular and take around 1 hour 55 minutes.
- From Sydney, you can take a flight direct from Kingford Smith Airport (SYD) to Santiago. Qantas operates this flight around 4 times a week, with a flight time of approximately 12 hours 40 minutes.
- From elsewhere, you'll either need to get to Sydney and then fly Sydney to Santiago to Buenos Aires... or it may be more convenient to fly to Auckland, NZ to Santiago to Buenos Aires - LAN Airlines fly direct from Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Santiago once or twice a day in around 11 hours 45 minutes.
Flights to Chile from Australia
Australia to Santiago - From anywhere in Australia, you should be able to fly to Santiago with at most one stop.
- From Sydney, there are direct flights 4 times a week from Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), which is operated by Qantas and takes approximately 12 hours 40 minutes.
- From elsewhere, one option is to get to Sydney and then fly direct from Sydney, as above... or, if it is possible for you to fly to Auckland, NZ, you can fly Auckland to Santiago - LAN Airlines have direct flights once to twice daily from Auckland International Airport (AKL), with a flight time of about 11 hours 45 minutes.
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How do I fly to Patagonia from Canada?
Flights to Argentina from Canada
Canada to Buenos Aires - It's possible to fly direct from Toronto to Buenos Aires, but not from elsewhere. From some areas of Canada, it will be most efficient to travel to Toronto and fly direct from there, while from others you could fly with a stop in the USA.
- From Toronto - Air Canada operates a direct flight 5 times a week from Pearson International Airport (YYZ), with a flight time of around 13 hours 50 minutes.
- Canada to USA to Buenos Aires - for this option, take a look at how to get to Patagonia from the USA. If it's not clear how to get down to Buenos Aires from your part of Canada, do get in touch and we'll be happy to find and book flights for you.
Flights to Chile from Canada
Canada to Santiago - There are direct flights from Toronto, but from elsewhere in Canada, you'll either need to first travel to Toronto or take a flight which stops in the USA.
- From Toronto - There are 5 flights a week direct from Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Santiago. The flights are operated by Air Canada and take approximately 10 hours 40 minutes.
- Canada to USA to Santiago - for this option, take a look at how to get to Patagonia from the USA. If you're unsure how best to get down to Santiago from your part of Canada, don't hesitate to get in touch so we can help you find and book flights.
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How do I fly to Patagonia from New Zealand?
Flights to Argentina from New Zealand
New Zealand to Buenos Aires - There are no direct flights to Buenos Aires. The most efficient way to make this journey is to fly to Santiago and then take a connecting flight to Buenos Aires. Flights from Santiago (SCL) to Buenos Aires (EZE) are regular and take around 1 hour 55 minutes.
- From Auckland - LAN Airlines fly direct from Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Santiago once or twice a day in around 11 hours 45 minutes. Then you'll need to take a connecting flight to Buenos Aires.
- From elsewhere - First travel to Auckland, then you can fly Auckland to Santiago to Buenos Aires, as above.
Flights to Chile from New Zealand
New Zealand to Santiago - You can fly direct to Santiago from Auckland. From anywhere else in New Zealand you'll need to first travel to Auckland.
- From Auckland - LAN Airlines have direct flights once to twice daily from Auckland International Airport (AKL), with a flight time of about 11 hours 45 minutes.