How to travel in Chile and Argentina by ground transportation between airports, hotels, Futaleufu and Torres del Paine. When to use Taxis or Remises. When to use the bus. How to Buy Bus tickets in Chile or Argentina.
In Argentina
In Chile
Buenos Aires Airport
The two airports are separated by 32 miles.
The B.A. International Airport: Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) commonly called Ezeiza.
The B.A. Domestic Airport: Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) commonly called Aeroparque. Domestic flights depart this airport.
Ground Transport between the two Airports in Buenos Aires
Ground transport between Buenos Aires Airports.
A bus with wifi takes around 75 minutes (approx $16 usd)
A legal connection between your flights when you purchase your tickets is 3 hours, and should be enough. The flight to Esquel departs after noon giving you lots of time to get to it unless your international flight is delayed significantly.
A Bus seat or Remis/Taxi or the can be reserved at the TiendaLeon counter in the customs area of the International airport when you arrive. |
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First ask them at the counter when the next bus departs for the Domestic airport and calculate if you will get to the airport 50 to 60 minutes before your flight to Esquel.
Remis or Bus? A remis (a taxi without a meter operating on a fixed price for the route) will take 45 minutes (approx $60 usd) This is an option to use in Buenos Aires if you think you are running late and need to speed your arrival to the flight to Esquel. You will arrive 20 to 25 minutes quicker than the bus.
If you flew Aerolineas Argentinas internationally you will be eligible to print a free coupon for the bus to transfer between the Buenos Aires Airports. Enter your last name and reserve code here. Print and, turn this coupon in at the counter in exchange for the free ticket to board the bus waiting outside the Terminal. If you are flying an International carrier other than Aerolineas Argentinas you may purchase the bus ticket at the counter. You could also purchase the bus ticket here online.
Arrival at the Domestic Airport AeroParque in Buenos Aires.
Aerolineas Argentina is the only carrier to fly AeroParque - Esquel. There are daily flights (except Wednesday) departing Buenos Aires (AEP) around 12:55 pm arriving in Esquel (EQS) around 3:25 pm. This is a very nice airport with a good view of the river, a food court, and WiFi.
Fly to Esquel Airport. Land in Patagonia on the dry side of the Andes. (45 min. Remis to Trevelin)
Ground Transport between Esquel Airport and Futaleufu (Chile border).
Remises are Argentine taxis without meters. They are willing to work remote areas even with gravel roads that we traverse near the border between Chile and Argentina.
For your convenience you can prepay all ground transports to and from Esquel, Argentina when you sign up for your trip. From Esquel you and fellow guests will be met by Remis/Taxis with drivers that we know, trust and have radio contact with our office.
Arriving to Futaleufu from Esquel Airport: ($75 usd per guest).
Esquel Airport to your Hotel in Trevelin (45 min).
Next morning, Hotel to the border with Chile (45 min).
Departing Futaleufu to Esquel Airport: ($75 usd per guest).
End of your trip to Hotel in Trevelin (45 min).
Next day from Hotel to Esquel Airport (45 min).
Ground Transport between Bariloche Airport and Futaleufu (Chile border).
For your convenience you can prepay all ground transports to and from Bariloche, Argentina when you sign up for your trip. From Bariloche you and your group will be met by Remis/Taxis with drivers that we know, trust and have radio contact with our office. Three passengers per vehicle. You can do it with a night in Trevelin or direct.
Arriving to Futaleufu from Bariloche Airport: ($420 usd per vehicle).
Bariloche Airport to your hotel in Trevelin (4.5 hr).
Next morning, Hotel in Trevelin to the border with Chile (45 min).
Departing Futaleufu to Esquel: ($420 usd per vehicle).
End of your trip to Hotel in Trevelin (45 min).
Next day from Hotel to the airport in Esquel (4.5 hrs).
Other Ground Transport in Argentina
Private Remis from Bariloche: Pre reserve a remis (3 pax plus luggage) with the exchile office direct from the airport in Bariloche to your hotel in Trevelin ( 4.5 hours) Approximately $460 usd. Including another Remis to pick you up at your hotel to take you to the border and trip pick up.
Buses in Argentina are more comfortable than in the USA. If you go this route, one needs to be careful with their luggage belongings in the main bus station in Buenos Aires.
Buses Between Bariloche and Esquel The buses are comfortable with a great view. One can purchase the ticket online one month before departure. One can take a taxi from Bariloche airport and take a bus to Esquel.
Uber in Argentina: Cheaper and efficient but we do not recommend using this service at this time as the government is trying to shut them down.
Rental Cars are available in Argentina but we think it easier to travel without them. However, if you really like driving your own car we can help you with one of the most stunning driving circuits in Patagonia. You need to inform the rental car company in advance that you will be crossing borders so the proper insurance can be purchased for you.
Santiago International Airport (SCL) has both the international terminal and domestic terminal in the same building. Easy walk.
Puerto Montt has 2 Airports
El Tepual: (PMC) The main jet flight airport 30 min. outside the city.
La Paloma: Is the private airstrip 10 min outside the city where the scheduled flights between Puerto Montt and Chaiten originate.
Ground Transport in Puerto Montt
Taxis: 25 minutes between the two airports. Pick up at the airport.
Puerto Montt Airport Bus: There is a bus from the main airport of Puerto Montt to the Bus Terminal in Puerto Montt (30 min).
Flete: Pick up trucks can transfer a kayak.
Bus Terminal in Puerto Montt
Bus Puerto Montt - Futaleufu has daily scheduled bus (7 am) Between Puerto Montt and Chaiten that connects with a bus from Chaiten to Futaleufu. 13 hrs total trip Puerto Montt to Futaleufu.
Bus Puerto Montt - Bariloche: A six hour bus trip over the Andes.
Nuevo Chaiten Airport Ground Transport
Public Bus Nuevo Chaiten Airport to Futaleufu.
The first flight from Puerto Montt (La Paloma) departs at 9:30 am arriving in Chaiten at 10:15. A public bus waits ($15 usd) for the arrival of the flight, for the 4 hour trip to Futaleufu.
It is not possible to fly internationally into Santiago early enough in the morning to make it to Puerto Montt for the first flight to Chaiten. It is possible for the second flight a 11:30 am departure from Puerto Montt La Paloma airstrip. That means however prepaying for a private transfer to meet you in Chaiten and drive you to Futaleufu. Alternatively one could spend a night in Puerto Montt to get the first flight to Chaiten the next day and take the public bus.
Private Transport between Nuevo Chaiten Airport and Futaleufu.
For your convenience you can prepay the private transfer from Chaiten to Futaleufu when you sign up for your trip. $420 usd per vehicle each way, 5 passengers with luggage, 3.5 hours.
Departing Futaleufu to Chaiten:
At the end of your exchile trip stay you will be dropped off at a Hotel in Futaleufu. The next morning at 6:00 am a public bus ($15 usd) departs Futaleufu for the Nuevo Chaiten Airport (4 hrs). The flight waits for the arrival of the bus from Futaleufu. Your flight then returns to Puerto Montt at the private airstrip, La Paloma. You will need a taxi (25 min) to get the main airport El Tepual for flights elsewhere. If you desire you can prepay for a private transfer for the return from Futaleufu to Chaiten, and save 30 minutes of travel time.
Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ)
Presidente Carlos Ibáñez International Airport 15-20 min. outside city center.
Ground Transport Punta Arenas
Taxis are available at the airport to the hotels in Punta Arenas approx 15 usd. Safe.
Transfer to Torres del Paine EcoCamp from your hotel with Exchile trips.
Buses available from Punta Arenas airport to Puerto Natales.
Ground Transport in Santiago.
Airport bus to Santiago main bus terminal.
Airport shuttle to your hotel.
Long distance Buses in Chile are nice and offer more comfortable than in the USA. We recommend purchasing the the Cama or Cama Suite.
Santiago - Puerto Montt: Overnight route.
Uber in Chile: It is extremely popular and economical but at this moment and they are operating in a grey zone of legality. We recommend not using it till the court's finish determining their status.
Rental Cars are available in Chile but we think it easier to travel without them. However, if you really like driving your own car we can help you with one of the most stunning driving circuits in Patagonia. You need to inform the rental car company in advance that you will be crossing borders so the proper insurance can be purchased for you. With international insurance a 4WD SUV will be about 800 usd a week.
Available in: Santiago, Puerto Montt, Coyhaique, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales.
Not available in Futaleufu or Chaiten.