• From Buenos Aires, by plane through Aerolineas Argentinas, LAN. (3hrs). Otherwise: fly to Rio Gallegos (4hrs) and then bus to El Calafate (4hrs). We recommend inquiring with the airlines (Aerolineas Argentinas, LAN) about routes and schedules.
• From Buenos Aires, by bus: to Rio Gallegos, then transfer to El Calafate (estimated time: 38hrs).
• From Puerto Natales, Chile by bus: leaves mornings, arrives in Calafate by noon (est. duration: 5hrs). There are also 2 flights a day with Aerovias DAP, a small Chilean airline.
• From Punta Arenas: bus to Puerto Natales, once there inquire about buses to El Calafate (very easy to find). Or: bus to Rio Gallegos and transfer to El Calafate.
• From Bariloche you have the following options:
• direct flight to El Calafate with SW airlines, or via Buenos Aires.
• cross over to Puerto Montt (Chile) and fly to Punta Arenas then bus to El Calafate.
• catch ferry boat (ask for Navimag) to Puerto Natales (4-day journey), then bus to El Calafate.
• charter minibus services on Route 40 (3 days when available). Ask at Albergue Alaska and Preiko's Youth Hostel in Bariloche or us. This is a great tour!.
• bus to Comodoro Rivadavia, transfer to Rio Gallegos, and then to El Calafate.
• From Trelew / Puerto Madryn: Direct flights to El Calafate or plane or bus to Rio Gallegos, then bus to Calafate.
• From Ushuaia: fly with SW, Aerolineas Argentinas or other airlines to El Calafate or Rio Gallegos (from the latter, take bus to El Calafate).
• From R�o Gallegos: many buses (4hrs/ 300kms) they leave from bus station with a stop at the Rio Gallegos's airport to go on to El Calafate.
• If you're driving from Buenos Aires 35-hour drive approx. We recommend the following route: Exit BUE via the new freeway to Ca�uelas, then Route 3. When you get to Azul, take Route 76 for the next 75 km, then Route 51 all the way to Bah�a Blanca. From there, Route 22 to Rio Colorado. Fill up your tank, then continue a few km to the Route 251 intersection, going south towards San Antonio Oeste (you'll pass Gral. Conesa). Then continue on to Route 3 to Rio Gallegos and Calafate (in case you don't want to drive on gravel), otherwise take a shortcut via Provincial Route 9 ('la cortada') right after passing Comandante Luis Piedra Buena (before Rio Gallegos) to El Calafate. You'll save 230 km this way, although your speed average will be low due to curves and gravel roads. If you're driving from other points, we suggest you study a good road map. The road from Rio Gallegos to Calafate is in bad shape now, slow down !