Tierra del Fuego, located at the southernmost tip of South America, is a land of stark beauty, rugged landscapes, and rich history. Whether you’re seeking adventure in Ushuaia, tor hoping to witness the majestic King Penguins in Porvenir, getting to Tierra del Fuego is part of the experience. Let’s explore the different ways to reach this remote region.
1. Flying to Tierra del Fuego
If you’re short on time or prefer air travel, flying is the most straightforward way to reach Tierra del Fuego. The region is served by two main airports: Ushuaia – Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (USH) and Río Grande Airport (RGA).
Flights to Ushuaia:
- From Buenos Aires: Direct flights operate from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) and Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to Ushuaia, with a flight time of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. Airlines like Aerolíneas Argentinas offer regular flights.
- From El Calafate: A popular route for those visiting Patagonia, flights from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia take about 1.5 hours.
- From Trelew: There are also direct flights from Trelew (REL), typically used by travelers exploring the Atlantic coast of Patagonia.
Flights to Río Grande:
- From Buenos Aires: Direct flights from Buenos Aires to Río Grande are also available, with a flight time similar to that of Ushuaia.
Flying into Ushuaia is the most popular choice, as the city serves as a gateway to various outdoor activities, including trips to the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego National Park, and cruises to Antarctica.
2. Cruising to Tierra del Fuego
For a more luxurious and scenic experience, consider taking a cruise from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (or viceversa: Punta Arenas to Ushuaia Cruise). These cruises are often combined with excursions to some of the region’s most stunning landscapes, including Cape Horn (it’s the same cruise mentioned before, from Punta Arenas or Ushuaia to Cape Horn), the Beagle Channel, and various fjords.
3. Buses to Tierra del Fuego
You can reach Tierra del Fuego by bus from Punta Arenas (Chile) and Rio Gallegos (Argentina), among other places. The ride to Ushuaia (either from Rio Gallegos or Punta Arenas) takes about 12 hours, including the time for the ferry crossing and the border control. Buses are during the day (the distance is approx. 600 km depending which place you depart from).
Custom tours in Patagonia
We’re a local travel company that offers custom tours in Argentina and Chile, and we’d love to help you plan your next trip to Patagonia & South America! As a kick off, we invite you to explore our following tours:
El Calafate to Ushuaia road trip
Ruta 40 Argentina Road Trip with extension to Ushuaia
Note: the information on this article is a reference, please ask us for advice (or to the competent authorities) before traveling.
