Arrivals, Transfers & Transport
Introduction
Puerto Natales is located just south from Torres del Paine National Park, north from the southern city of Punta Arenas and south-west from the Argentine city of El Calafate. There are some direct flights to Puerto Natales from Santiago, but usually people fly into Punta Arenas.
There is also an option to arrive by boat from Puerto Montt, in Chile.
However, if you are coming from El Calafate, in Argentina, you will arrive by bus or car.
Flight and Transfer
The flight to Punta Arenas from Santiago is usually 4hrs, but a little longer if the flight stops off at Puerto Montt on route.
You will then need a road transfer to Puerto Natales, which will take 3hrs. This can be done by taking the regular bus or have a private transfer be there to meet you and take you privately to Puerto Natales. Either way, the drive time to Puerto Natales is 3hrs.
Note: Experience Chile can arrange the bus or private transfer as part of the rest of your itinerary as long as we are handling that. We do not arrange these services as standalones.
From Santiago to Puerto Natales
Pre Covid, during the high season, there were direct flights from Santiago to Puerto Natales only on certain days of the week. This obviously cuts out the need to drive from Punta Arenas.
For the time being there are no direct flights Santiago to Puerto Natales.
Note: Experience Chile can arrange the onward transfer to your Puerto Natales or Torres del Paine hotel as part of the rest of your itinerary as long as we are handling that. We do not arrange these services as standalones.
From El Calafate (Argentina)
From El Calafate the drive time, with border-crossing paperwork either side included, is around 6hrs. There is a bus service and the option to rent a car.
There is ONLY the road option from El Calafate and NO DIRECT FLIGHTS
Note: Experience Chile can arrange the bus transfer to your Puerto Natales or Torres del Paine hotel or get a rent a car for you in El Calafate, only as part of the rest of your itinerary as long as we are handling that. We do not arrange these services as standalones.
From Puerto Montt, by Ship (Navimag)
Puerto Montt is located at the southern end of the Chilean lake region and just north west of Chiloe Island and, one can say, at the northern part of Chilean Patagonia. From here there is a cargo ship called Navimag that comes to Puerto Natales. This ship also has accommodation on board for passengers and, effectively, offers a “poor mans” cruise. However, the route is through the Patagonian channels and fiords and is all a bit of an adventure and all at a much lower cost than a “normal cruise”. It also serves as an ideal way to get to Puerto Natales.
Departures are on set days of the week and involve two nights on board. Accommodation varies from private cabins with private bathrooms, to private cabins with shared bathrooms and shared cabins with shared bathrooms.
The trip will take 4 days and 3 nights.
Note: Experience Chile can arrange accommodation on board the Navimag for you only as part of the rest of your itinerary as long as we are handling that. We do not arrange this service as standalone.
