Getting To Torres del Paine

Flying To Torres del Paine

The nearest airport to Torres del Paine is Punta Arenas (PUQ) in Chile, receiving daily flights from Santiago (4h). El Calafate (FTE) in Argentina is closer (3.5h from the park) and receives flights from Buenos Aires (3h). A growing number of visitors fly into El Calafate for Perito Moreno and then cross overland to Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine.

• Santiago → Punta Arenas: 4h (LATAM, daily)
• Buenos Aires → El Calafate: 3h15m (Aerolíneas Argentinas, daily)
• Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales: 3h by bus (~$15)

Puerto Natales To Torres del Paine

From Puerto Natales, daily buses run to the park entrance at Laguna Amarga or the administration centre at CONAF (2.5h, ~$15). The bus runs once daily in each direction — timings change seasonally, so confirm with your hostel the evening before.

• Bus Puerto Natales → park entrance: departs 7am daily (~$15)
• Return bus from park → Natales: departs from Lago Pehoé or Laguna Amarga (~2.30pm)
• Transfer options: shared transfer (~$50 per person) or private taxi (~$120)

Chile & Argentina Visas

Most Western passport holders enter Chile visa-free for 90 days. Crossing to Argentina (Perito Moreno) requires a separate Argentine entry stamp — also visa-free for most nationalities. Border crossings in Patagonia are reasonably efficient but plan for 1–2 hours including queuing.

• Chile: EU, USA, UK, Australia, Canada — visa-free 90 days
• Argentina: same nationalities — visa-free 90 days
• No fresh food, dairy, or meat products cross either border