How to get to El Calafate, routes and means of transport

There are several routes and means of transport to travel to this touristic city of Patagonia, Argentina. But, the first thing you should know is that, recently, it has an International Airport where Boeing-type aircraft and similar ships operate for cabotage flights with a significant amount of air frequency. Let’s see how to get to El Calafate.

HOW TO GET TO EL CALAFATE BY CAR?

From Buenos Aires: about 3000 km separate El Calafate from the Argentine Capital by National Route No. 3 (Atlantic Coast). All the road is paved. You must cross the province of Buenos Aires to the city of Bahía Blanca and then continue along the coast and the Patagonian steppe. After Viedma, the distances between urban centers are greater, so you have to consider that there are also less road stations. After this, you will reach Puerto

Madryn. Let’s look at the route that comes next:

From Puerto Madryn: continue south through the city of Trelew, Comodoro Rivadavia and Caleta Olivia, to enter the Province of Santa Cruz until reaching Comandante Luis Piedra Buena and, later, Río Gallegos.

From Río Gallegos: you take Provincial Route No. 5, then The National Route No. 40 and finally the Provincial Route No. 11. This city in the province of Santa Cruz is 310 km from El Calafate.

From Bariloche or Esquel: it’s almost 1500 km for a 16-hour journey that starts on the National Route No. 40 (Cordillera de los Andes), departing to the south. Here, 180 km of asphalt are traveled to Gobernador Costa to take provincial route No. 20. After passing New Lubecka and La Laurita, you reach Los Tamariscos, where you have to take the detour by provincial route No. 22 towards Río Mayo – 238 km. There, Route No. 40 is resumed. This time it’s 123 km of gravel that lead to the Perito Moreno, where excursions are made. To continue, go along Route No. 40. You still have a long desolate journey, without populations or services; only one station, so keep that in mind.

It’s important to know that Provincial Route No. 22 lacks places of supply, so it’s advisable to take forecasts. In the meantime, there are almost no populations and no route services on National Route No. 40; besides, it’s not always passable. Because of this, we recommend you to inform yourself well when traveling, especially if the thought is to rent a car, a cost-effective option for those travelling in groups of 4 or 5 people.

In that case, it’s better to rent in advance from Buenos Aires. It will be very useful to take the car from the airport of the capital, since the land routes that comprise this route have spectacular scenery. You already know an alternative of how to get to Calafate! Send a whatsapp to our experts for more information!

HOW TO GET THERE BY BUS OR MIC?

If you want to go by land but do not have your own car or rented, there are also other routes and transport options: a bus or micro. There are several companies that provide the service from Buenos Aires to Río Gallegos, where other local companies offer the service to El Calafate with regular services with various daily frequencies.

Consider that only the capital’s journey to Río Gallegos involves about 36 hours of road. Then, to continue to the destination, another trip must be made –this time of 4 hours– from the Bus Terminal passing through the Gallegos River International Airport.

Another option is from southern Chile, from Puerto Natales, aboard buses arriving in El Calafate after a five-hour trip. In this case, you should know that there are only one or two daily frequencies depending on the season. Consult with our advisors the most feasible options for you, companies, their rates and recommendations in case you leave from Buenos Aires and require the transfer in Río Gallegos. Don’t forget to ask about their services. There are companies that offer us buses that have comfortable seats, including beds and chairs, depending on the category. In general, they have bathrooms, movies are shown during the trip, and food and drink are served on board. And that’s it
! Now you know how to get to El Calafate by bus or mic.

HOW TO GET TO EL CALAFATE BY PLANE?

From Buenos Aires: as we told you at the beginning, El Calafate has an International Airport. It is located 18 km from the urban center and works with the Aerolinas Argentina and Lan, with daily flights from the capital city Buenos Aires (three hours by plane) and some of Patagonia Argentina such as:

•         Ushuaia-Calafate: flight of approximately 1.10 hs
•         Bariloche-Calafate: flight of approximately 1.45 hs
•         Trelew-Calafate: flight of approximately 1.50

There is also operability from Córdoba and Rosario. The only thing to consider in case of these domestic flights is that they are usually more expensive than a direct flight to or from Buenos Aires. In this sense, we invite you to book travel packages with travel agencies. Click and see the benefits!

Regardless of the location, do not book the flight without first considering that most activities and tours last a full day, so, in order to make the most of your itinerary, it’s advisable to book the first or last flight of the day. Especially for those with a reduced time.

Get to know available flight schedules, prices and consider putting together travel packages that combine air tickets, excursions, transport and even accommodation. Air travel is the most direct, convenient and fastest way!

You already know how to get to El Calafate, routes and means of transport; you just have to choose the shape that best suits your needs as a traveler, including the budget. Take advantage of our advice, we will gladly help you plan your trip to this city of Patagonia Argentina.

Travel to El Calafate and I lived the Patagonian experience!