If you are travelling to El Chaltén, you will soon realise that they have no airport, and the nearest one is some 200 km away in El Calafate. Fortunately, travelling from El Calafate to El Chaltén is fairly straightforward and can be done by bus, taxi, private transfer, or car rental.
El Chaltén is a small tourist village surrounded by breathtaking mountains and offers some of the best hiking experiences in Patagonia. The town grew into what it is today from the demand of people visiting the area and exploring the magnificent surrounding landscape.
To reach El Chaltén, you must fly into El Calafate International Airport and arrange transport to El Chaltén. Below, I discuss all the available options so that you can make the right choice.
Find Flights to El Calafate
El Calafate to El Chaltén by Bus
Several bus companies operate services between El Calafate Airport and El Chaltén. They run all year round, with at least two departures each day in the morning and afternoon. During the busier times of the year, such as between September and April, more services are available, with buses running every couple of hours.
The primary bus companies are Chaltén Travel, TAQSA, and Caltur. They all charge AR$24,000 ($28 USD) each way and offer the same comfort level. The bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén takes approximately 3 hours.
You can purchase bus tickets at El Calafate International Airport in the arrivals hall, but I highly recommend booking them in advance to ensure.
Purchase tickets now for El Calafate to El Chalten quickly and easily with Busbud.
If you wait until you arrive to purchase tickets, the ticket office is found just as you get to the arrivals area. Don't worry about finding the ticket offices; the airport is tiny, and you can't miss anything.
Daily Bus Departure Schedule
Below, you will find the current schedule for the El Calafate to El Chaltén bus journey.
Disclaimer: These times are correct as of March 12, 2024, but could change without notice. For the most up-to-date schedule, check Busbud.
| Departure Time (airport) | Companies |
|---|---|
| 08:20 | Caltur, Chaltén Travel |
| 08:35 | Taqsa |
| 10:20 | Taqsa |
| 10:50 | Chaltén Travel |
| 11:20 | Chaltén Travel, Taqsa |
| 12:50 | Taqsa |
| 13:50 | Caltur |
| 14:50 | Chaltén Travel |
| 18:20 | Caltur, Chaltén Travel, Taqsa |
Purchase Bus Tickets in Advance
While you can purchase tickets at the airport, it is recommended that you book the bus from El Calafate to Chaltén in advance as they are prone to sell out, especially in the busier seasons.
You can pre-book tickets via any of the provider websites or a booking platform such as Busbud (recommended).
Unfortunately, the provider websites are primarily in Spanish, and I found that using Chrome Translator to translate the pages into English caused problems throughout the booking process, such as buttons and links not working correctly.
For this reason, I recommend using a booking service such as Busbud to pre-book your tickets. The ticket prices are exactly the same as booking directly, and it's a much easier process. We use Budbud to book all our bus tickets when travelling.
For easy and direct transfers, book your El Calafate to El Chaltén bus tickets in advance.
Are The Buses Comfortable?
Yes! The bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén is modern and comfortable for all providers. The seats are large, well-padded, and recline quite far back. If you are a little jet-lagged, you will be able to get a good few hours of sleep before arriving in El Chaltén.
If available when booking, choose the front-row seats on the upper deck for panoramic countryside views along the journey. While sleep might be tempting, the views are incredible.
Returning to El Calafate
When you arrive in El Chaltén, you will be dropped off at the local bus terminal. From here, you can check for return times and book your return ticket if you have not already done so.
Alternatively, you can pre-book your return tickets in advance using Busbud.
El Calafate to El Chaltén by Private Transfer
If your flight times don't match the bus schedule or you don't want to wait around, booking a private transfer is the most convenient option to get to El Chaltén from El Calafate.
Several companies offer transfers for up to four people in a private car and 24 in a minibus. Prices vary depending on your group size, the season, and which company you go with.
Below are a few available El Chaltén transfer companies.
Via Chaltén
Wide variety of cars and minivans with capacity for 6 - 24 people.
El Chaltén Transfers
Private transfer service for up to 4 passengers in 4x4 vehicles and 7 passengers in executive van.
Zona Austral Turismo
Reserve a seat in a shared minibus that has a set departure schedule that might match up with your flight times. Prices start from $27 USD (each way), and you can instantly book online.
Lengas
Shuttle bus services, private cars for 3/4 people, private vans for 13 people, and private buses for 22 people. Instantly book online.
Affordable Stays In El Chaltén
El Calafate to El Chaltén by Taxi
Taxis are available at El Calafate International Airport. These can be convenient, but they are generally the most expensive option when travelling from El Calafate Airport to El Chaltén. The main provider at the airport is Taxi Condor.
The price is $200 USD per vehicle (one way), which can fit up to 4 people. You have to pay in pesos, though, and the amount you need to pay will be calculated on the day using the official exchange rate from USD to Argentinian Pesos.
You can prearrange a taxi, but the price is not frozen at the time of booking and is subject to change.
Are you preparing for a trip to El Chalten? Have a look at our Ultimate Guide to El Chalten Hikes for everything you need to know before you go.
El Calafate to El Chaltén by Car Rental
For the most flexibility and to explore on your terms, rent a car and drive from El Calafate to El Chaltén. The roads to El Chaltén are well maintained and asphalt the entire way.
The drive there runs around Argentino Lake and Viedma Lake and is simply stunning. Apart from a few turnings, the road is relatively straightforward to El Chaltén.
We recommend booking through RentalCars.com, as it compares prices from multiple local and international providers and offers the best prices available at the time.
Find your perfect car rental for El Calafate now with RentalCars.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Road to El Chaltén Paved?
Yes. The entire road from El Calafate International Airport to El Chaltén is paved with asphalt and is well maintained.
How Far Is El Calafate From El Chaltén?
200 km. The trip via any method will take you around 3 hours.
Is there direct public transport from the Airport?
No, you can only get from the airport to El Chaltén by; tourist bus, private transfer, taxi, or a rental car.
What's Next?
So you're planning a trip to El Chaltén?! The area is spectacular, and the hikes will stay with you forever. You may be interested in our guide to hiking in El Chaltén, our complete El Chalten travel guide, and our guide on accommodation in El Chaltén.