Patagonia sits at the bottom of the world - a vast, wild region shared between southern Chile and Argentina.
It is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. Towering granite peaks, ancient glaciers, cobalt lakes and dense temperate rainforest stretch for thousands of kilometres across two countries.
There are no direct international flights into Patagonia itself. All routes go through one of two gateway cities first: Santiago in Chile or Buenos Aires in Argentina. From there, domestic flights carry you south into the heart of the region.
Alternative Airlines lets you book every leg of your Patagonia journey - international and domestic - in one place, with over 40 ways to pay. That includes flexible Buy Now Pay Later options, so you can spread the cost and lock in your flights before prices climb!
Patagonia covers the southern cone of South America, spanning roughly 1 million square kilometres across Chile and Argentina. It has no single capital and no single airport. Think of it as a region rather than a country - a patchwork of national parks, fjords, glaciers and Andean steppe that spans two nations.
Chilean Patagonia runs along the country's western edge, carved by fjords and fed by Pacific rainfall. Its headline destination is Torres del Paine National Park, famous for its granite towers and the W Trek. The Carretera Austral, a legendary gravel highway, threads through its centre.
Argentine Patagonia stretches east across drier, windier steppe. Key destinations include El Calafate (gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier), El Chaltén (a trekking mecca beneath Mount Fitz Roy), Bariloche (the Lake District adventure hub) and Ushuaia - the world's southernmost city and the departure point for Antarctica cruises.
Most travellers explore both sides. The border between Chile and Argentina runs through the Andes, and buses cross between destinations like Puerto Natales and El Calafate in five to six hours.
Every flight to Patagonia routes through one of two international hubs. Which one suits you depends on where you want to go first.
Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is the main gateway for Chilean Patagonia. It connects directly to Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Puerto Montt and Balmaceda. The airport has international and domestic terminals connected by a short covered walkway. Connection times are simpler here than in Buenos Aires. LATAM recommends a 90-minute minimum, but two to three hours is more comfortable.
💡Santiago suits you if your trip starts with Torres del Paine, the Carretera Austral, or Punta Arenas.
Buenos Aires has two airports. International flights land at Ezeiza (EZE), around 32 km from the city. Most domestic flights to Patagonia depart from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), on the city waterfront, 40 km away. There is no airside connection. You must clear immigration, collect your luggage, transfer by road and check in again.
Allow a minimum of five hours between your international arrival and domestic departure. Transfer options include the Tienda León shuttle ($12-16, around 75 minutes), the NEO Bus ($10-12), or a private transfer ($50-70 for the most reliable option).
💡Buenos Aires suits you if your trip starts with Bariloche, Ushuaia, El Calafate, or the Valdés Peninsula.
Other airports worth noting: Castro (MHC) on the island of Chiloé, and Temuco (ZCO) for the Pucón and Araucanía lake region.
Other airports: San Martín de los Andes (CPC) for the Neuquén lake region, and Puerto Madryn (PMY) for wildlife on the Atlantic coast.
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Several airlines serve Patagonia, ranging from full-service carriers with extensive networks to ultra-low-cost options with the cheapest base fares.
From any UK or European departure point, total travel time to a Patagonian airport, including connections, is typically 20-26 hours.
Return fares from London range from around £450 in budget season to £1,400 or more in December and January.
Total journey time from Miami to El Calafate (via Buenos Aires) is roughly 16-18 hours. From New York, allow 18-22 hours.
Return fares from the US typically range from $400 to $1,400, depending on departure city and season.
There is no direct service. The most common route is via Santiago: fly to Sydney or Auckland, then connect with LATAM or Aerolíneas Argentinas to Santiago, then onward domestically.
Total journey times from Sydney to Punta Arenas are typically 24-30 hours.
The longest days, warmest temperatures and maximum flight frequencies, but also the highest prices. Christmas through early January is the absolute peak. Fares can double or triple, and popular trails and lodges book out 6-12 months ahead. February is a little more relaxed as the Chilean school holidays end.
The best value window. Autumn (March-April) brings spectacular colours, calmer winds and fewer crowds. Spring (October-November) offers wildflowers and awakening wildlife at 30-50% lower prices. Both shoulder periods are excellent for most activities.
Reduced flight frequencies. Some routes are discontinued (LATAM's Puerto Natales service, direct El Calafate-Ushuaia flights). Attractions in southern Patagonia close. The exception is winter skiing - July and August drive premium fares to Bariloche and Ushuaia.
The most affordable option, covering both sides of the border. Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales costs $9 (3 hours); El Calafate to El Chaltén is $25 (3 hours). Upgrade to cama seats for overnight journeys.
The best choice for exploring the Carretera Austral at your own pace. Refuel at every station, carry offline maps and notify your rental company two weeks ahead if crossing the border.
Essential for certain routes. The Navimag sails four days through Chilean fjords between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales, with shared berths from $530 including meals.
Fast but limited. Seasonal routes connect El Calafate to Ushuaia (75 minutes) and El Calafate to Bariloche (1 hour 45 minutes).
Run between Puerto Natales and El Calafate ($25-35, 5-6 hours) with immigration stops en route. The Cruce de Lagos between Bariloche and Puerto Varas ($250-400) is a spectacular 12-hour journey by bus and boat across three glacial lakes.
Patagonia rewards the travellers who plan ahead. Book early, pack layers in your carry-on, build in buffer days and sort your travel insurance before you go. The logistics take some thought, but once you're there, it's worth every step of the journey.
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Book international flights three to four months ahead for the best prices. For peak-season travel in December and January, book six to nine months in advance.
Domestic fares are typically cheaper when booked at least 28 days ahead. Shoulder seasons (October-November and March-April) offer the best combination of price and weather.
UK, EU and US citizens do not need visas for Chile or Argentina for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
Punta Arenas (PUQ) is the most reliable choice, with multiple daily flights from Santiago from $19. From there, take the $9 bus to Puerto Natales (3 hours), then connect to the park (2 hours).
Puerto Natales (PNT) has a small airport closer to the park, but flights are limited and expensive. Most travellers fly to Punta Arenas.
El Calafate (FTE) is the gateway. The glacier is 80 km from town - about one hour 20 minutes by road. Daily shuttle buses run from the bus terminal ($30 return), or guided tours with hotel pickup cost $40-80.
International flights land in Santiago or Buenos Aires; domestic connections add two to four hours to your total journey time.
Time zone adjustment is minimal - Argentina sits at UTC-3, just one to two hours ahead of US Eastern time and three to four hours behind London.
Yes! Open-jaw itineraries, like flying into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires (or vice versa), make excellent sense for Patagonia and avoid costly backtracking. Alternative Airlines supports multi-city searches across all route combinations.
If all flights are on a single ticket, the airline must rebook you at no cost and cover meals or accommodation as needed. If flights are on separate tickets (more common when mixing international and domestic bookings) neither airline bears responsibility.
This is the strongest argument for booking on a single reservation wherever possible. Weather cancellations are common in Patagonia, particularly at Punta Arenas, El Calafate and Ushuaia.
Alternative Airlines is the home of flexible flight booking. Over 40 ways to pay means you don't have to find the full cost of a long-haul trip upfront. Spread the cost with Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, or dozens of other options, including regional providers wherever you're booking from.
We compare over 600 airlines so you can find and book every leg of your Patagonia trip in one place. International connections, domestic hops, open-jaw itineraries - all searchable together, with transparent pricing and no hidden extras from us.
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