Figuring out the logistics of reaching Torres del Paine might seem a tad perplexing, particularly for any explorer keen on exploring the acclaimed eighth natural marvel of the world for the first time.
Situated in the extreme southern region of Chile, acknowledged as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, this site finds itself nestled in a distant corner of the globe: a locale where the enchantment of untamed and uncharted terrain intertwines with the terminus of the American continent and the commencement of the Antarctic continent.
Nonetheless, owing to the immense allure of this natural gem, there exist numerous routes and modes of transportation that routinely or occasionally link the park with the entirety of the world.
In this piece, we shall furnish you with all the essentials for embarking on a successful escapade to the extraordinary haven of Torres del Paine. We’ll explore the various available routes, transportation connections, and offer you some insights to ensure you make the most of the inaugural leg of your journey.
Welcome to one of the most enchanting destinations on the planet!
How to get to Torres del Paine by plane?
Arriving at Torres del Paine via air presents itself as the most feasible option from any country worldwide or even if you’re already in Chile. However, from touchdown to the park entrance, you’ll need to traverse by road between cities.
Presently, there are three proximate locations where you can touch down. In Chile, an airport and an aerodrome; and in Argentina, an adjacent international airport. The choice among them primarily hinges on the time of year and your inclination towards overland travel: a journey that undoubtedly promises to mesmerize you with its scenic splendor.
Alternatively, if you prefer to cast aside all your concerns upon arrival at any of the airports and relish an equally splendid accommodation, at Patagonia Camp Hotel, we offer an array of programs for your sojourn, all of which encompass your land transfer!
Whatever your preference may be, we present to you all the alternatives.
Flying from Santiago to Punta Arenas.
This remains one of the top choices for international travelers, thanks to its seamless connectivity and consistent flight availability.
As the capital of Chile, Santiago serves as the primary gateway to the country, boasting a modern international airport. Meanwhile, Punta Arenas stands as the principal hub of enchanting Patagonia and the logistical epicenter of the region housing Torres del Paine.
Departing from Santiago’s Pudahuel area, you can catch a direct flight to Punta Arenas’ Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo airport. The flight duration typically spans around 3 hours and 30 minutes, although with layovers, it might extend up to 5 hours.
Upon arrival, various ground transportation options await to transport you to Puerto Natales—a journey lasting approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to the bus terminal.
For those seeking enhanced comfort and security during travel, Hotel Patagonia Camp offers regular transfers to and from Punta Arenas as part of all our accommodation packages. Explore our offerings here.
Regardless of your preference, after covering those 250 kilometers to Puerto Natales, you’ll find yourself at the embarkation point for the majority of tours and excursions to the park.
But fear not, as we’ll delve deeper into that shortly.
Flights from Santiago to Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is the closest urban center to Torres del Paine, and the gateway to other recognized natural wonders of the southern tip of the world, so direct flights from Santiago are widely used.
The air route is available all year round, although due to a milder climate, the highest frequency of activity is between September and April: coinciding with the high season for visiting the Park.
You can easily find an airline that suits your needs, as there is a wide range of prices and days. We recommend you to check the three airlines with the largest number of trips to Puerto Natales: Sky Airlines, LATAM Airlines and JetSmart.
The flight from Santiago to the Teniente Julio Gallardo aerodrome takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. With stopovers, it can take approximately one hour more.
If you are looking for a transfer integrated to a complete experience in Torres del Paine, you can check out our stay programs. All include regular transportation to and from Puerto Natales.
Now, if you want to travel independently, directly from the aerodrome of the commune, you can take a cab with a duration of 11 minutes to the bus terminal of the same city.
Once in Puerto Natales, you will find a wide range of tours and buses with destinations to different entrances of Torres del Paine Park, including the main one: Laguna Amarga. This makes the city the most convenient destination to land on the journey to the park.
The frequency of trips depends mainly on the season. If it is high season you will find two or three daily departures, for example.
The trip to Laguna Amarga, the first stop on the tour, takes about 2 hours. Afterwards, you will continue to Pudeto, Camping Pehoé and Hotel Lago Grey, completing a 4-hour trip.
Flying from Puerto Montt to Torres del Paine. Now that you’re acquainted with the two options for flights with international connections in Chile, let’s introduce you to a third possibility: a domestic flight from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas, or potentially to Puerto Natales, conditions permitting.
If you’re exploring the southern regions of Chile, this could be the perfect alternative to enhance your adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Puerto Montt serves as the primary southern hub connecting to Torres del Paine. It’s hailed as the gateway to Patagonia and stands as the final major urban center in southern Chile, boasting a sizable airport and seaport.
From Tepual airport, you can board a direct domestic flight lasting approximately two hours to both Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales.
Upon arrival in either of these cities, you’re just a stone’s throw away from Torres del Paine!
How to reach Torres del Paine from Argentina? Alternatively, if you’re seeking to journey to Torres del Paine from Argentina, there exists a highly popular option among adventurers worldwide, thanks to the nearby international airport. From the city of El Calafate, via the Don Guillermo border crossing, you can access Puerto Natales by land.
Here, we outline the steps for your convenience.
Travel from El Calafate to Torres del Paine. The voyage from the city of El Calafate to Torres del Paine stands as one of the favored routes for accessing the park.
El Calafate, also known simply as Calafate, boasts the international Comandante Armando Tola airport, accessible from the country’s capital or from overseas, as opportunities arise.
The distance between the airport and Puerto Natales spans roughly 350 kilometers and involves crossing the border at Don Guillermo in Cerro Castillo. You can monitor the status of the crossing and the crossing conditions on the Argentine and Chilean websites of the complex.
The overland journey typically lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes, with border control usually swift and straightforward. The route on the Chilean side is well-maintained, offering breathtaking vistas that may extend your travel time slightly as you pause to admire them. Naturally, you’ll need to arrange transportation to facilitate the journey.
No matter where you are staying overnight in the torres del paine national park, all our packages include regular transfers to and from Cerro Castillo. Additionally, should you require transportation to and from El Calafate, we can incorporate it into your program for an extra fee.
We hope we have guided you through the main ways to get to Torres del Paine. It may seem like a trip full of stops, but the magic of Patagonia guarantees that at every stage and stop, your heart will marvel at the beauty of the enormous mountains, lakes and forests.
If you are looking for the best way to organize your experience in Torres del Paine, you can check out our programs, as they all include transfers to and from the airports that we have listed for you.
