Torres del Paine Transfers
Private and Regular Bus
Between all Patagonian Cities
In order to get to Torres del Paine you will need some form of road transport. Therefore, what we aim to do below is introduce you to the usual transport options, along with some of the pros and cons associated with each one.
Experience Chile Offer: All Clients Asking Us to Arrange Their Patagonia Reservations will receive discounts off our Private Transfer Rates and, in Some Cases, Free Regular Bus Tickets.
In the case of a reservation at one of the top-end lodges such as Explora, Tierra, Awasi, Singluar Cerro Guido or Singular, we will consider a free of charge private transfer between Torres del Paine and El Calafate.
*Our Offer Applies to a Minimum of Two People and a Minimum of 4 Nights Accommodation in the Itinerary.
Torres del Paine Transfers
and Other Transport
Torres del Paine Transfers
The Regular Bus
It should be noted that there are several bus companies that operate regular buses out from Puerto Natales and at multiple times during the day, but usually one AM and one PM departure during the high season. These buses will drop people off at these locations and in this order:
- Laguna Amarga
- Pudeto (for the catamaran to Paine Grande)
- Hosteria Pehoe & Camping Pehoe
- CONAF Park Admin
- Pingo Car Park (Hotel Lago Grey) for Navigation Grey
Also, the same buses will run the route in the opposite direction collecting people on the way back to Puerto Natales.
Above all, for an idea of scheduling and logistical connections please refer to our W Trek Logistical Connections page in this site or click the link on this page.
Experience Chile will include regular bus tickets, pre-bought, in any itinerary that we are arranging for you, but WE DO NOT OFFER ONLY BUS TICKETS ON THEIR OWN.
Pros and Cons of the Bus
The advantage of a regular bus is that it is low cost.
Some of the disadvantages are that they only go at fixed times, will usually be packed with other people and travel at an often frustratingly slow speed as they collect people at the various stop offs.
Private Transfer
For many of our clients we arrange private transfers to get them into and around Torres del Paine. Such private transfers are popular because they go when you want them to go, they are “door-to-door”, can include stop offs at scenic spots on the way and are generally more comfortable. However, the cost can be a barrier to some people, especially if you are a single traveler or just two people. The cost is always for the vehicle; therefore, the overall cost is for 1, 2 or 9 people. Obviously, a group using a private transfer has a lower per person cost than two people.
Rent a Car
Having your own car will give you total independence and you can go where you want, when you want. However, it also has its drawbacks, especially for the driver who will get tired and not really be able to see the great views because “eyes must be on the road”. You then have a car parking problem in Torres del Paine, meaning that you have to get back to where you leave it – which can be a hassle if you are doing the W Trek. Then there are issues if you get a puncture or break down.
Currently you cannot pick up a car in El Calafate and drop off in Chile. If you do take a car across the border, you need a permit, arranged by the rental car company. We can arrange for a car to be picked up in Chile and dropped in El Calafate as long as the rental period is a minimum of three days, and we can arrange for cars to be picked up and dropped off back at the same place.
Bad Roads
In addition, the roads can be notoriously bad in Patagonia with potholes and bad surfaces.
Sorry to put a damper on the car. For some it works out really well but be aware that driving in these parts (Patagonia) is NOT like driving in Western Europe or North America.
Should you want a rental car we will be delighted to arrange it for you AS LONG AS IT IS PART OF THE REST OF THE ITINERARY THAT WE ARE ALSO ARRANGING.
To request a transfer or rent a car email us here: request@experiencechile.org or fill in the enquiry form below.
What are the Transfer Routes for Torres del Paine?
Main Transport Routes in and out of Torres del Paine
Regular Buses and Private Transfers
El Calafate to Torres del Paine – Torres del Paine to El Calafate
And El Calafate to Torres del Paine – Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine – Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
And Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine – Torres del Paine to El Calafate
Puerto Natales to el Calafate – El Calafate to Puerto Natales
Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales – Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
Private Transfer to Anywhere
For those with a higher budget, or for private groups travelling together, a private transfer between cities and / or in to and out of Torres del Paine is by far the better way to go. A private transfer will go at the times you want and take you door to door.
How to Get to Torres del Paine?
The principal entry points to Torres del Paine are:
Arriving to Punta Arenas
Most commercial flights will land at Punta Arenas some 3.000km south from Santiago. Note: There are NO commercial flights from Buenos Aires nor El Calafate to Punta Arenas. The direct flight will take just under 4hrs and the one that stops off at Puerto Montt en-route will take around 4.5hrs.
From the airport you would then either be met by a private transfer service (if you have contracted one with ExperienceChile.Org), take the regular bus from Punta Arenas city centre to Puerto Natales and change to another bus to get to TDP, have asked ExperienceChile.Org to pre-arrange a regular bus pick-up at the airport, or have arranged for your own car rental. Note that a permit is required to take any car across the border in to Argentina.
Coming from El Calafate
You need to fly to El Calafate in Argentina from Buenos Aires or Ushuaia. Here you can stay overnight with an option to go to El Chalten (3hrs away by road) and / or visit Perito Moreno glacier the following day and then the next day come over to TDP. From El Calafate you can take the regular bus across the border (departs 08:00hrs) to Puerto Natales (arrives 13:00hrs approx) and change to the regular bus that then goes to TDP departing around 14:00hrs, or arrange a private transfer service or a car rental. Also from El Calafate ExperienceChile.Org can organise a direct bus transfer to TDP (Laguna Amarga) departing El Calafate at 05:30hrs, which takes 6hrs.
NOTE: No fruit, raw meat, raw vegetables, seeds or cheese is allowed over the border in either direction. If you try to do so you WILL be fined. There is a cafeteria at the Chile border where you can buy snacks as well as at the mini-markets on the W-Trek in TDP.
Puerto Natales
Navimag operates a commercial ferry ship, which also takes passengers, from Puerto Montt. This ship arrives to Puerto Natales and offers a good-value cruise that passes through the channels and fiords in the area en-route to Puerto Natales (the cruise is available from Puerto Natales too) and ExperienceChile.Org can arrange the reservations. From Puerto Natales you either take the regular bus to TDP, have a pre-arranged private transfer meet you or organise a rent a car.
Locations & Distances Between Them
Punta Arenas to Laguna Amarga in Torres del Paine (TDP) – 370km (5hrs drive)
Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales – 250km (3hrs drive)
Puerto Natales to TDP Laguna Amarga – 120km (2hrs to drive)
Puerto Natales to TDP Rio Serrano (newest route via Milodon-Cave road) – 80km (1hr to drive)
Other Useful Links
Please Send Us Your Enquiry
For the best service please supply us with as much information as you can. For example, where you want to go, what you want to do, what you want to experience and how much money you want to spend (or do not want to spend!). How many people, what type of beds (matrimonial, twin, single etc.)
VIP
In the event that you are a VIP in any of the fields such as celebrity and/or political and/or business, and you need “special attention”. For example, privacy and/or security for your trip please use an alias in the enquiry but mention that you are VIP and one of the directors will handle your request and keep your real name and details confidential.
OFFER
Ask us to handle ALL of your South America, or Chile trip and we WILL include some items for free or at special lower-than-public rates. How much we can offer you depends on how much we can arrange and book for you. REQUEST@EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG
Remember, our specialty is to create a travel itinerary custom-built to your needs.
