You do not need a hire car for El Calafate and El Chaltén. Regular buses link the two, buses and tours run to the Perito Moreno Glacier, and in El Chaltén the trails begin at the edge of the village. A car buys flexibility, not access. What the trip does need is some care with timing, above all on the day you fly in or out.
El Calafate without a car
El Calafate, in Santa Cruz province, is the base town. Its airport lies outside town, and shuttles and taxis run to the centre, which is easy to cover on foot.
There are three ways to reach the Perito Moreno Glacier, inside Los Glaciares National Park:
- Regular bus. It leaves from the bus terminal, drops you at the walkways facing the ice and returns at a set time.
- Tour. Adds a guide and, depending on the package, a boat ride in front of the glacier or a walk on the ice, both sold by licensed operators.
- Taxi or private transfer. You choose when to leave and how long to stay, which helps if you want to arrive before the groups.
Boat trips to other glaciers leave from the port of Punta Bandera, and operators usually offer transport there. Each visitor buys their own park ticket.
Between El Calafate and El Chaltén
The road is paved and crosses open steppe. Regular buses run between the two terminals. In high season, the southern summer, they fill up, so buy tickets ahead. Ask whether any service leaves directly from the airport: it saves going into town when you plan to start in El Chaltén.
El Chaltén without a car
This is a small village built for walkers, at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. The trails to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre start a few streets from wherever you are staying. Trailheads north of the village, and Lago del Desierto, are reached by a gravel road, with local shuttles and taxis.
The weather turns quickly and the wind is strong. Keep a spare day so you can repeat a walk if the mountain is in cloud. In winter many services in the village are reduced.
When a private transfer is worth it
- Your flight does not match the bus times and you would lose half a day waiting.
- You are a group or a family with large rucksacks and suitcases.
- You want to reach El Chaltén in daylight, with stops on the steppe.
A solo traveller with time is well served by the bus, which costs less. We arrange transfers in the area, and availability is confirmed when you book. For groups, see the minivan.