Where to Fly into Patagonia?

Author Alan Bianco

Posted Dec 30, 2022

Reads 38

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Patagonia offers stunning mountain and coastal views, incredible hiking trails and wild life, making it a must visit destination for those wondering where to fly into this paradise. There are two main airports one can choose from when flying into Patagonia. The most popular and convenient airport is El Calafate International Airport (FTE) located 25 km from the heart of El Calafate, a major tourist hub offering many hotels and other amenities to help get you situated. Marga Marga International Airport (MGI) located in Punta Arenas is another great choice for those planning to do some remote hiking or explore the most remote points of Patagonia.

El Calafate offers a range of transportation options for getting around the area including buses, cruises and ferry rides to take you out on the Argentinian Bay, shared car services with drivers to take you directly to local attractions or rentable cars and motorbikes if you’re feeling adventurous enough to drive yourself around while discovering Patagonia’s rugged landscape. This airport also offers direct flights from Buenos Aires as well as Santiago and Puerto Natales. From here you can easily access El Chalten which is nestled in the heart of the National Park Los Glaciares offering hikes around Lago Viedma with its breathtaking views of Mount Fitz Roy.

For those wanting something more off the beaten path there’s Marga Marga International Airport (MGI) located in Punta Arenas providing an array of scenic treks and hikes such as The Towers Glacier Trek taking adventurers through mountain passes and cascading waterfalls all situated in nearby Torres del Paines National Park. Here one can find a variety of accommodation options from hostels to hotels or even rent a tent for camping out under the stars in less crowded areas. Transportation options from MGI include bus or local taxi services or alternatively rentable cars, bikes and AirBNB services that allow drivers to explore further distances with ease.

No matter what type of journey your planning for Patagonia both El Calafete International Airport (FTE) and Marga Marga International Airport (MGI) offer travelers access to some of South America’s last true untouched wildernesses rich with some unique ecosystems and catered attractions that will make your adventure worthwhile.

What is the best way to get to Patagonia?

The best way to get to Patagonia depends on an individual’s budget preference and timeline. For those looking for a quick and straightforward trip, flying into Chile or Argentina is the quickest method. Most major carriers offer flights from cities across Europe, the US and South America. Typically, flights depart from Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires in Argentina. If budget is not a factor and one has more time on their hands, a cruise is a great option. Starting from countries like Chile or Brazil, they will take passengers through some of the most magnificent scenery in the world as they make their way down past Tierra del Fuego until they arrive in Patagonia.

On land there are plenty of options too! One popular route starts in Southern Peru or Bolivia to connect with the Carretera Austral route which goes through Chilean Patagonia all the way down to Villa O’Higgins at Lago O’Higgins. This is probably the most stunning journey one could take as you explore some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. There are also package tours which take travelers from cities like El Calafate or Ushuaia up to Torres del Paine National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its incredible mountain ranges and glaciers.

Regardless of how you get there, visiting Patagonia is sure to be an unforgettable journey!

What are the nearest international airports to Patagonia?

Patagonia is a breathtaking and largely remote region in South America that is comprised of Argentina, Chile and a small portion of Bolivia. For those looking to explore this captivating region by air, there are several nearby international airports that can accommodate your journey.

Argentina’s El Calafate International Airport is the closest option and serves as the main hub for flights to Patagonia. The airport is located close to numerous well known tourist attractions, including the iconic Los Glaciares National Park. From El Calafate, travelers have access to regional flight options connecting them to other parts of Argentina such as Ushuaia and Comodoro Rivadavia or international destinations like Santiago de Chile, Montevideo, Miami or Sao Paulo. This makes El Calafate an essential gateway for exploring the unique landscapes of Patagonia.

Another important international airport near Patagonia is Balmaceda Airport in Chile. Located close to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Chile – Puerto Aisen – this airport provides easy access for visitors wanting to experience the magical beauty of Aysen Region (known for its unspoiled glaciers and fjords) or even Tierra del Fuego National Park on a budget. It offers direct flights from Santiago de Chile as well as from various Chilean cities such as Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt. It also offers linking flights to other key international destinations across South America, including Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo among others.

Each of these airports provide travelers with a great opportunity to experience the enchanting Patagonian nature by air. Whether you’re looking for a budget friendly adventure or an upscale journey exploring every corner of this magical land; these airports are sure to make your vacation into Patagonia unforgettable!

What cities have airports that I can fly into in Patagonia?

Today, many people are exploring the world’s southernmost municipality—Patagonia. This wild and remote region of South America contains numerous cities that can be accessed by air. If you’re curious as to which airports can get you access to Patagonia, here’s your guide!

Believe it or not, Patagonia is home to over fifty airports dotted across the region. The largest ones include Presidente Carlos Ibanez del Campo International Airport near Punta Arenas, Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport in Puerto Natales, Comodoro D. Ricardo Salomón Airbase near Coyhaique and Leopoldo Abadie Airport in San Martín de los Andes. Many other smaller airports exist as well, with most offering regular flights throughout Argentina, Chile and other surrounding countries.

But aside from these four major airports, Patagonia also provides access to numerous alternatives. For example, El Calafate Airport serves increasingly more international routes between Europe and Patagonia. Esquel Airport is used a lot by commercial flights traveling between Santiago and Buenos Aires. Finally, Rio Gallegos Airport features direct international flights to Buenos Aires as well as other Argentinean cities like Bariloche.

No matter where you’re planning on going in Patagonia, chances are that there’s an airport nearby ready to welcome you into this enchanting region of the world!

What airlines offer flights to Patagonia?

Patagonia is a fascinating and wild region of South America that’s home to spectacular glaciers, snow-capped peaks, ice fields and unique wildlife. If you’re looking to explore Patagonia’s stunning landscape, there are several airlines that offer flights to the region.

The most popular airlines that fly to Patagonia are Aerolineas Argentinas and LATAM. Both of these carriers serve the commercial airports of Punta Arenas and Balmaceda in the Chilean part of Patagonia. Aerolineas Argentinas primarily offers international flights between Buenos Aires to Punta Arenas while LATAM offers direct flights from Santiago de Chile and other Latin American destinations with connections from major cities in Europe, United States and Canada. Besides these two major airlines, there are smaller regional airlines such as Lonrisur, Tte-Lillo Servicios Aereos SRL Palena Airline,Tall Launching Aerotours and Andes Líneas Aéreas that provide connecting service from Punta Arenas or Balmaceda to several airports in Argentina such as Calafate, Comodoro Rivadavia, Ushuaia and San Julián.

For those looking for a touch of luxury or first class service during their Patagonian adventure, Aerolineas Argentinas has recently unveiled a new business class lounge at its entrance gate at Ushuaia Airport where passengers can relax along their journey. Despite its remote location Patagonia is connected with direct flights to some of the world's most famous cities; making it easy for travelers to experience all the amazing beauty this unique region has to offer.

Are there any domestic flights to Patagonia?

Patagonia is one of the furthest regions on Earth, and as such, it can be difficult to reach by traditional means of transportation. Many people assume that the only way to reach Patagonia is to take an international flight to a nearby country and then continue on with perhaps another flight and then a long bus journey. However, there are actually several domestic flights that service the area.

For travelers in South America, there is one existing domestic flight connecting different points of Patagonia. Aerolineas Argentinas operates a domestic route from El Calafate to Ushuaia with stops in Rio Gallegos, Puerto San Julian and Comodoro Rivadavia. The flights are relatively inexpensive and relatively fast, which makes exploring Patagonia much more accessible than many think.

Airlines like LATAM also provide domestic routes between Buenos Aires and El Calafate throughout the year while other airlines including JetSmart Argentina offer special seasonal flights from various points throughout South America such as Santiago and Punta Arenas in Chile. These domestically operated services make traveling through Patagonia much easier than ever before by offering budget-friendly options for getting to this amazing part of the world.

Overall, travelers have several options when it comes to taking domestically-operated flights in order to reach Patagonia. Taking advantage of these services makes visiting this remote destination much easier and far more accessible for those who wish to explore it firsthand!

Alan Bianco

Alan Bianco

Writer at CGAA

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Alan Bianco is an accomplished article author and content creator with over 10 years of experience in the field. He has written extensively on a range of topics, from finance and business to technology and travel. After obtaining a degree in journalism, he pursued a career as a freelance writer, beginning his professional journey by contributing to various online magazines.

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