The short answer
To get to Patagonia, fly internationally to Santiago (Chile) or Buenos Aires (Argentina), then take a domestic flight south. There are no international flights straight into Patagonia from Europe, North America or Australia.
- Torres del Paine: fly Santiago to Puerto Natales (PNT), about 3 hours 20 minutes, or Punta Arenas (PUQ), about 3.5 hours.
- Carretera Austral: fly Santiago to Balmaceda (BBA), about 2 hours 20 minutes, or to Puerto Montt (PMC), about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chaltén: fly Buenos Aires (Aeroparque) to El Calafate (FTE), about 3 hours.
From most of Europe and North America, allow a day and a half door to door, including a night in Santiago or Buenos Aires.
Updated November 2026 by Santiago Silva, co-founder of Chile Undiscovered, based in Santiago, Chile.
Step 1: choose your gateway, Santiago or Buenos Aires
Patagonia is split between Chile and Argentina, and the side you visit decides your gateway.
| Where you are going | International gateway | Domestic flight to |
|---|---|---|
| Torres del Paine | Santiago (SCL) | Puerto Natales (PNT) or Punta Arenas (PUQ) |
| Carretera Austral, Marble Caves, Cerro Castillo | Santiago (SCL) | Balmaceda (BBA) |
| Northern Carretera Austral, PumalĂn | Santiago (SCL) | Puerto Montt (PMC) |
| Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén, Fitz Roy | Buenos Aires (EZE, then AEP) | El Calafate (FTE) |
Planning both sides? Many trips fly into Santiago, visit Torres del Paine and cross to El Calafate by road. We plan the border crossing for you.
Step 2: fly to Santiago or Buenos Aires from your country
We have detailed route guides for each origin, with airlines, flight times and connections:
| Flying from | Best route to Patagonia | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| London and the UK | British Airways nonstop Heathrow–Santiago (three a week) until 27 March 2027; from 28 March 2027, daily via Buenos Aires | From the UK |
| United States | Nonstops to Santiago from Miami, New York and other hubs | From the USA |
| New York | Overnight nonstop JFK–Santiago | From New York |
| Canada | Seasonal nonstops from Toronto and Montréal | From Canada |
| France | Air France nonstop Paris–Santiago | From France |
| Germany | One-stop via Madrid or another European hub | From Germany |
| Australia | Nonstops to Santiago from Sydney and Melbourne | From Australia |
Step 3: the domestic flight south
LATAM and Sky Airline fly daily from Santiago to all of Chilean Patagonia's airports. In Argentina, domestic flights to El Calafate leave mainly from Aeroparque (AEP), not Ezeiza (EZE), where international flights land; allow about an hour to cross Buenos Aires.
| Airport | Serves | Flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Natales (PNT) | Torres del Paine (1 to 2 hours by road, depending on the lodge) | About 3 hours 20 minutes from Santiago; mostly open at weekends only from January to March 2027 for runway works |
| Punta Arenas (PUQ) | Torres del Paine (4 to 5 hours by road), Tierra del Fuego | About 3.5 hours from Santiago |
| Balmaceda (BBA) | Coyhaique, Cerro Castillo, Marble Caves, Patagonia National Park | About 2 hours 20 minutes from Santiago |
| Puerto Montt (PMC) | Lake District, northern Carretera Austral | About 1 hour 45 minutes from Santiago |
| El Calafate (FTE) | Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén | About 3 hours from Buenos Aires |
Domestic fares often include only hand luggage, so add checked bags when you book.
Step 4: from the airport to your lodge
Most lodges include or arrange transfers, and the drive is part of the trip. For Torres del Paine, compare the three leading lodges in Explora vs Awasi vs Tierra Patagonia. For the Carretera Austral, see Explora Patagonia National Park and the best lodges and private houses on the Carretera Austral.
Should you stop in Santiago or Buenos Aires?
Yes, if you can. Most long-haul flights land in the morning after a night in the air, and a night in the city lets you arrive in Patagonia rested. It also protects your trip if the international flight is delayed, since domestic connections are usually on a separate schedule.
Can you get to Patagonia without flying?
Yes, but it takes days. You can drive or take long-distance buses south from Santiago or Buenos Aires, and ferries link parts of the Chilean fjords. These are journeys in their own right, not quick transfers. For most travellers with two weeks, flying south and travelling slowly once there is the better choice. If the road itself appeals, read Carretera Austral: the world's most beautiful road trip.
When to go
The main season runs from October to April, with the longest days from December to February and autumn colour in March and April. See our month-by-month guide to Patagonia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to get to Patagonia?
Fly to Santiago, then take a domestic flight to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas for Torres del Paine, or to Balmaceda for the Carretera Austral. For Argentine Patagonia, fly to Buenos Aires and on to El Calafate.
Is there a direct flight to Patagonia from Europe or the US?
No. International flights land in Santiago or Buenos Aires, and you continue south on a domestic flight of about 1 hour 45 minutes to 3.5 hours.
Which airport is closest to Torres del Paine?
Puerto Natales (PNT), about 1 to 2 hours from the lodges by road. Punta Arenas (PUQ) is the alternative, about 4 to 5 hours away, and the main gateway from January to March 2027, when runway works keep Puerto Natales open mostly at weekends.
Is it better to visit Chilean or Argentine Patagonia?
They complement each other. Chile has Torres del Paine and the Carretera Austral; Argentina has the Perito Moreno Glacier and Fitz Roy. With 12 days or more, you can combine both. Read Carretera Austral vs Torres del Paine to choose within Chile.
How many days do I need for Patagonia?
Seven to ten days for one region, and two weeks or more to combine regions. See our complete Patagonia itinerary.
Plan your trip with us
We are based in Santiago and plan every flight, transfer and lodge from your arrival in Chile to your last night in Patagonia. Share your dates and we will design the route for you.
Sources
- British Airways — New daily non-stop service to Buenos Aires, continuing to Santiago (17 September 2026)
- MercoPress — British Airways restores non-stop London–Buenos Aires flights (6 October 2026)
- Chile Travel — Puerto Natales airport during runway works, January to March 2027 (7 October 2026)
- Explora — Getting to Torres del Paine; Awasi — Getting here; Tierra Patagonia — Destination (transfer times, checked 4 November 2026)
- Domestic flight times: LATAM schedules for November 2026, from flight-tracking data (checked 4 November 2026)
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