Getting from Calafate to Torres del Paine to trek the W Circuit or Full Circuit is actually quite simple when you know how. Calafate is reasonably well served by transport as it is quite a big town in Argentinian Patagonia, some 1800 miles from Buenos Aires.
For some great trips in Torres del Paine with local operators see:
W Circuit
7day Torres del Paine Trek (staying in EcoTents)
Full Circuit
Getting from Buenos Aires to Calafate
There are regular flights from Buenos Aires, Trelew, Bariloche and Ushuaia to El Calafate International Airport. The airport is 23km from the centre of El Calafate, in the Santa Cruz province.
- Buenos Aires -> El Calafate takes approx 3h20 direct, or 5h20 with a stop in Ushuaia. Flights usually cost around £90-100 one-way.
Buenos Aires has two airport options:
1. The Ezeiza Airport is the most important in Argentina for international flights. It is located 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of downtown and offers connecting flights to other continents. The airport is divided into three terminals (A, B and C). Terminal A is largely used for international flights; Terminal B is for domestic flights; and Terminal C is for cargo.
2. The Aeroparque Jorge Newbery is located on Costanera Avenue just 15 minutes from the city center. It mainly handles domestic flights to the interior of Argentina and some border cities. The Aeroparque offers a wide variety of services including restaurants, cafes, fast food, bars, shopping, banking, a Wi-Fi internet connection, pharmacies and more.
You’ll probably use the first if you fly from London through to Calafate, and the second if you plan to spend a few days in Buenos Aires before flying to Calafate.
Getting from Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park
In Calafate there are many hotels and restaurants and lots of travellers are either on their way to Torres del Paine or on their way back. For this reason, there are lots of bus operators, cars for hire and private transfers, but generally, in order to keep costs down, people choose to take the bus.
The bus journey from Calafate to Puerto Natales takes about 5 hours and the journey from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine takes about 2. The price of tickets varies but tends to cost about 4000 Chilean pesos each way (about £6). Although each company is different, buses are generally comfortable with reclining seats and toilet facilities.
The following have regular departures to and from Calafate to the park:
- Chalten Travel
- Turismo Zaahj – Catch the bus from Calafate to Puerto Natales then Puerto Natales to Torres del paine
You may wish to stay in Puerto Natales for the night before heading into the park and if so, we’d recommend staying at the Hostal Amerindia, a fairly low-cost but cosy b&b or at the boutique Spa & Hotel Indigo.
Renting a car in Calafate
Getting to Torres del Paine can be made easier by hiring a car. Although it’s important to bear in mind that the cost of renting a car is quite high here, prices can range from about USD $115 (£70) to about 3114 Argentinian Pesos (approx £500) with some companies (including insurance), but it does mean you can travel in the comfort of your own car.
Hiring a private transfer
Private transfers are a good choice, as you can relax and not have to worry about reading a map. It’s also good if you are travelling in a group as you can share the cost.