Patagonia is a huge region that covers the southernmost parts of Argentina and Chile. Most tourists focus on a few specific destinations within Patagonia: Bariloche and its Swiss alpine village aesthetic; El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier, along with nearby El Chaltén; Puerto Madryn, Argentina's premier whale-watching spot; and Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. 

On the Chilean side,  Torres del Paine National Park is the biggest attraction, along with Puerto Montt, Puerto Natales, and Punta Arenas. Whether you're traveling from Buenos Aires or Santiago, Patagonia is so vast that you are better off flying into the region to make the most of your trip. 

Discover Patagonia's wildlife with this 15-day itinerary that takes you whale watching, canoeing, and hiking; or, challenge yourself by completing the W Trek in Torres del Paine with this 14-day itinerary. 

From Buenos Aires, Argentina

Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours, plus travel to/from airports

Direct flights operate from Buenos Aires to all major destinations in Argentine Patagonia. Most of them leave from Aeroparque (AEP), which is located in Palermo, near the Costanera Norte (north waterfront), which you can easily reach by taxi or private transfer. Tours also go from El Calafate on to Torres del Paine National Park, on the other side of the border. 

Find out more about how to travel from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, El Calafate, Puerto Madryn, or Ushuaia. 

From Santiago, Chile

Duration: 2 to 13 hours, plus travel to/from airports

You can fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales and from there you can visit the rest of Chilean Patagonia, which is known for its gorgeous landscape dotted with fjords and forests. Patagonia is a large region and distances are vast, so make sure to plan enough travel time to hit all of the region's highlights. 

Find out more about traveling from Santiago to Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, and Punta Arenas. 

Map

Map of How to Get to Patagonia
Map of How to Get to Patagonia