Patagonia: how to get to Patagonia? Where to fly into?
Patagonia: How to get to Patagonia? Where to fly into?
Patagonia is a vast area in the southern portion of South America. Shared by Argentina and Chile, it´s an amazing place to visit during your trip to South America. But, how to reach Patagonia. Where to fly into? Well, you have different options and two main gates to fly into Patagonia. You can fly from Buenos Aires or you can fly from Santiago.
Flights to Patagonia from Buenos Aires
From Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, you can fly into Patagonia. There are several options. If you want to reach the Lakes District, you can fly Buenos Aires to Bariloche and from there visit different places like San Martin de los Andes, Villa La Angostura, and continue to Chile via the Lakes Crossing for example. It´s a good idea. From Buenos Aires, you also can reach Chapelco Airport, in the local village of San Martin de los Andes, but the usual way is to fly into Bariloche.
You can visit the Peninsula Valdes, and for that, you have to fly from Buenos Aires to Trelew Airport. Trelew is an important city in the Chubut Province, and from there you can access Puerto Madryn, the gate to visit Peninsula Valdes, and the incredible sea life in the area with whales, penguins, sea lions, sea elephants and more.
From Buenos Aires, you can fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and from there visit places like Tierra del Fuego National Park, navigate the Beagle Channel, or even the incredible White Continent of Antarctica, the southern fjords and glaciers in Patagonia, and the mythical Cape Horn!
From Buenos Aires, you also can fly to El Calafate, to visit the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier and many other amazing glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park. Once in El Calafate, you can visit El Chalten and enjoy incredible trekking trails to the Fitz Roy Massif. An amazing destination in Patagonia!
Airports in the Argentinian Patagonia
From Buenos Aires (EZE), Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini, or from AEP (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery), you can fly to different airports located in Patagonia.
Trelew Airport (REL)
If you´re looking to visit the Peninsula Valdes and the incredible sea life you can find there, the usual airport is Trelew (REL), called Almirante Marcos A. Zar. From Trelew, one of the most important cities in the Chubut Province, you can reach Puerto Madryn, the gate to enjoy the incredible Peninsula Valdes. Puerto Madryn (PMY) has a local airport, but flights to this city are less frequent.
Bariloche Airport (BRC)
To visit the Lakes District on the Argentinian Side, you have to reach Bariloche (BRC). The name of the airport is Teniente Luis Candelaria. Once in Bariloche, you can visit the incredible nature of the area, full of national parks, lakes, forests, volcanoes, mountains, and enjoy different adventure activities. There are also some local airports that you can reach from Buenos Aires, like Chapelco (CHA) in the local village of San Martin de Los Andes. But the usual way is BRC (Bariloche)
El Calafate Airport (FTE)
Going south, we find El Calafate, the gate to visit the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares National Park. The local airport is called Comandante Armando Tola (FTE). El Calafate is also the place from where you can access El Chalten and enjoy the trails to the unique Fitz Roy Massif, and from there you can start the drive in the 40 nat route on the way to Bariloche and northern Patagonia.
Ushuaia Airport (USH)
In the extreme south of Patagonia, we have Ushuaia (USH). The airport of the southernmost city in the world is called Malvinas Argentinas. Once there, you can visit the Tierra de Fuego National Park, enjoy the Train of the End of the World, navigate the Beagle Channel and embark in a cruise to the white continent of Antarctica.
Tours to Patagonia? Check some interesting itineraries:
Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Bariloche (BRC) flight: 2:10 hours
Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to El Calafate (FTE) flight: 3:00 hours
Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Ushuaia (USH) flight: 3:30 hours
Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Trelew (REL) flight: 1:55 hours
Flights to Patagonia from Santiago de Chile
From Santiago de Chile, you can reach some interesting destinations in Patagonia. You can fly Santiago to Puerto Montt and reach the Lakes District. Once in Puerto Montt, you can visit Puerto Varas, Chiloe Island and different national parks available in the area. It´s a beautiful place!
You can fly from Santiago to Coyhaique and from there, visit the Carretera Austral and the famous Marble Cathedral for example. Or you can fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas, and visit the incredible Torres del Paine National Park or embark in a cruise to visit the southern channels, fjords, and glaciers in this remote area of Patagonia.
Airports in the Chilean Patagonia: Where to fly into Chilean Patagonia?
First of all, if you want to travel to Chilean Patagonia, you will need to fly from Santiago de Chile, the capital city. The airport in Santiago de Chile is officially known as Comodoro Arturo Merino BenÃtez International Airport or Pudahuel Airport, it operates in the city of Santiago and is the largest and busiest airport in Chile. From there, you can fly to different airports in the Chilean Patagonia:
Airports in the Chilean Patagonia:
Puerto Montt Airport (PMC)
To reach the Lakes District in the northern area of Patagonia, you can fly to Puerto Montt (PMC). The local airport is called Aeropuerto Internacional El Tepual and it´s located a 1:40-minute flight from Santiago.
Balmaceda Airport (BBA)
If you´re looking to reach the Aysen and the Carretera Austral, you have to fl to Balmaceda Airport. The Aerodrome Balmaceda is located a 2.5-hour flight from Santiago; it has two direct flights daily from Santiago and two direct from Puerto Montt. From there, you can go to Coyhaique, the gate to visit the Carretera Austral, and places such as the Marble Cathedral
Puerto Natales Airport (PNT)
If you´re looking to reach southern Patagonia and the area of Torres del Paine National Park and southern glaciers and channels in Chile, the airport is Puerto Natales (PNT)
The name of the local airport is Aeropuerto Teniente Julio Gallardo and it´s located a 3:00 hour flight from Santiago de Chile. Puerto Natales is the gate to visit Torres del Paine National Park, but please note these flights are only available during high season, so the usual alternative to fly to the area is Punta Arenas (PUQ)
Punta Arenas (PUQ)
The local airport is called Aeropuerto Presidente Carlos Ibáñez and it´s separated only 3:30 hours flight from Santiago. It´s the perfect airport to arrive to southern Patagonia and embark on cruises to Antarctica and to southern channels and fjords in Patagonia, many of them visiting the Cape Horn. From Punta Arenas, you can drive or take a bus service to Puerto Natales, the closest city to arrive at the Torres del Paine National Park.
Main flights from Santiago to Patagonia
Santiago (SCL) to Balmaceda (BBA) flight: 2:00hourus
Santiago (SCL) to Puerto Montt (PMC) flight: 1:45 hours
Santiago (SCL) to Puerto Natales (PNT) flight: 3:00 hours
Santiago (SCL) to Punta Arenas (PUQ) flight: 3:30 hours
Tours to Patagonia? Check some interesting itineraries:
How to get to Patagonia from Europe, the USA and Canada, Australia and Asia?
Well, the usual way is to arrive to Ezeiza Int Airport in Buenos Aires first and connect from there to any of the airports available in Patagonia. Different international airports offers several frequencies from the main capitals in the world to Buenos Aires.
How to reach Patagonia from the United Kingdom?
British Airways offers direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Ezeiza Int Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires and to Santiago de Chile (SCL). From these cities, you can connect with any of the airports in Patagonia.
How to reach Patagonia from France?
Air France offers flights directly from Paris to Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile. From there you can fly down to Patagonia with a connection flight.
How to reach Patagonia from USA?
There are several flights from main cities in United States to Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile. Both cities receive flights from Miami, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles… Aerolinea Argentinas, the local airline in Argentina, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta are some of the most important airlines flying into both capital cities in South America.
How to reach Patagonia from Australia and New Zealand?
At this moment there are no direct flights from Australia and New Zealand to Buenos Aires, but you can access Santiago de Chile with Quantas and Air New Zealand.
Tours to visit Patagonia: Patagonia Travel Packages
We have many. Because as I told you many times in my article, Patagonia is a must-see when you visit Argentina and Chile. Check one of my favorite tours to visit Buenos Aires and the Complete Patagonia in two amazing weeks.
More tours to visit Patagonia?
We have a complete list of tours including Patagonia. Take a look to our complete list of tours to visit Argentina and Chile and enjoy the incredible region of Patagonia!
