Patagonia is a vast area, and the best way to connect different destinations in the southern portion of this area is the bus. There are several bus services and companies that goes from El Calafate to Puerto Natales for example, or from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas, or even from Puerto Natales to Ushuaia. Flights between these cities are not usual, so the bus is the most common way of transport used by the tourism. But, what´s the distance between these points? How much will take to go from El Calafate to Puerto Natales or from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas? What bus companies offers these services and when? Well, all this information is here for you.
Bus service from El Calafate to Puerto Natales
One of the most common visits is the combination of El Calafate, from where you can visit the amazing Perito Moreno Glacier and other incredible glacieres in Los Glaciares National Park, and Puerto Natales, the gate to visit Torres del Paine National Park.
The travel time by bus between El Calafate and Puerto Natales is around 5h 40m and covers an approximate distance of 274 km. The fastest bus, normally takes 5:30 to 6:00 hours. The services are operated by Turismo Zaahj, Cootra and Bus-Sur. Usually around 10 buses run weekly, although the schedules on weekends and holidays can be different.
Bus service from Puerto Natales to El Calafate
If you already visited Torres del Paine and the chilean side, and want to continue in Patagonia, to visit the argentinian side, the bus service is exactly the same in reverse. Buses from Puerto Natales to El Calafate takes 5:30 to 6 hours and you have 274 km in total. Of course, the total time in the border can be different during high season, so it´s important to know that you can find delays during November to February period. Turismo Zaahj, Cootra and Bus Sur are the bus companies available to go from Puerto Natales to El Calafate
Bus service from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
Puerto Natales is the gate to visit the incredible and unique Torres del Paine National Park. If you´re organizing a good trekking trip in this area, a good idea is to take a bus service from Puerto Natales bus station to the national park.
The national park is about a two-hour journey from Puerto Natales bus station, anyway it is very important to bear in mind the timetable is more limited during the low season. There are two companies running the route to the Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales: Buses Gomez and Buses Maria Jose.
Distance from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine is 77 km and it will take you around 2 hours aproximately.
Bus service from Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
Same companies run the route back from Torres del del Paine to Puerto Natales, with 77 km in total and around 2 hours
Bus service from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
Another usual route is the Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas. Most flights arrive and departs from Punta Arenas Airport, so would be necessary to go to Puerto Natales from there. Or you can disembark from the Australis Cruise for example, after a wonderful boat navigation in the southern channels and fjords in Patagonia. Well, the distance between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas is 248 km with 3:15 hs aprox to go from one point to the other.
The services are operated by Buses Fernández and Bus-Sur. Please note, the schedules on weekends and holidays may vary, so check in advance.
Bus service from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
The route is exactly the same in reverse. Please note, there is a stop in the Punta Arenas airport so it´s possible to pick the bus there without going to Punta Arenas city first. The distance from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is 248 km with a total of 3:15 hs in total.
Bus service from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Some years ago, there were flights connecting the cities of Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, but unfortunately at this time they are not operating. The most common route is the bus, widely used by international tourism.
The travel time by bus between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia is around 11 to 12 hours and covers a distance of approximately 633 km. The fastest bus normally takes about 10 hours. These services are operated by Bus-Sur, Buses Barria, and Buses Pacheco. Buses generally run on a weekly basis, although the schedules on weekends and holidays may vary, so check in advance.
Bus service from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
The travel time by bus between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas is around 11 to 12 hours and covers a distance of approximately 633 km. The route is exactly the same, in reverse
Bus services in Patagonia: Map
Check our map with important information about bus services between main destinations in southern Patagonia:
Patagonia Tours: Visiting the Southern area of Patagonia
Check my favorite first, but then a list of other suggested programs to visit southern Patagonia. My favorite is Incredible Patagonia with Australis Cruise, a Patagonia tour starting in Buenos Aires and visiting Ushuaia, the Australis Cruise to Cape Horn, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, and Santiago de Chile.
