Is Two Weeks Enough?
Yes, but only if you pick one side of the border and commit to it rather than trying to cover both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia. Two weeks is comfortably enough to properly do the classic loop: Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine on the Chilean side, then across into Argentina for El Calafate and El Chaltén. Trying to also fit in Ushuaia or the Carretera Austral in the same two weeks means you'll spend more time on buses than trails — save those for a second trip.
The Route
Days 1–2: Arrive Punta Arenas or fly into El Calafate, transfer to Puerto Natales (3 hours by bus from Punta Arenas, roughly $12). Days 3–7: Torres del Paine — the W Trek takes 4–5 days camping and refugio-hopping. Days 8–9: Rest and travel day, bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate crossing the border (roughly 5–6 hours, $30–40). Day 10: Perito Moreno Glacier day trip from El Calafate. Days 11–14: Bus to El Chaltén (3 hours, $15–20) for the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre day hikes — both free, no permits, no guide required, and genuinely among the best free hikes in South America.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Realistic budget backpacker daily spend: camping in Torres del Paine $8–15/night vs refugio dorm beds $50–80/night (camping is where the real savings are); self-catered meals from supermarket supplies $8–12/day vs $25–35/day eating at refugio restaurants; local buses $10–40 depending on the route. A genuinely disciplined budget traveller can do this trip for $50–70/day all-in outside of the flights to reach Patagonia; a more comfortable budget with a few refugio nights and restaurant meals runs $90–130/day.
Where the Money Actually Goes
Torres del Paine park entrance is roughly $35 for foreign visitors, one-time. The W Trek itself is where costs diverge sharply based on whether you camp (bring or rent gear, cook your own food) or stay in refugios (much more comfortable, but a single night with dinner and breakfast can run $80–120). Camping the full W Trek and self-catering is realistically $150–200 cheaper over 5 days than the refugio equivalent — a meaningful chunk of a two-week budget.
Saving on Transport
Buses between Puerto Natales, El Calafate, and El Chaltén are the standard budget option and reasonably priced compared to flying. Book at least a day ahead in peak season (December–February) as routes do sell out. Hitchhiking is genuinely common and culturally normal on the Carretera Austral but less practical on this particular route given the fixed bus schedules already covering it cheaply.
Food Strategy
Supermarkets in Puerto Natales, El Calafate, and El Chaltén are well-stocked and reasonably priced by Chilean/Argentine standards — buy trekking food (pasta, instant meals, dried fruit, crackers) before entering the park, since anything sold inside Torres del Paine itself carries a significant markup. A week of self-catered trekking food for one person costs roughly $35–50.
What Not to Cut
Don't skimp on your rain jacket or sleeping bag rating to save money — Patagonia's weather makes underprepared gear a genuine safety issue, not just a comfort one. Park entrance fees and the mandatory Torres del Paine campsite reservations (required in advance, book online before arrival) aren't optional costs to avoid. Where you can genuinely save without compromising the trip: camping over refugios, self-catering over restaurants, and buses over any private transfers.
