The Easiest Way to Get from Puerto Natales, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina, the Gateway to Antarctica

Last Updated on 05/01/26 by Rose Palmer

Ushuaia, Argentina, is the gateway for Antarctica trip expeditions. My Patagonia trip ended in Puerto Natales, followed by a few days in Ushuaia before boarding the Ponant L’Austral ship for an amazing 16-day cruise through Antarctica.

Flying to Ushuaia

Ushuaia famously claims to be the southernmost city in the world. As a main gateway for access to Antarctica, the city and its companion airport (Malvinas Argentinas International Airport USH) are quite busy during the peak season (mostly October to March). Despite its remote location, this mid-sized airport is serviced by direct flights from other parts of Argentina and South America.

In doing my trip research, I found direct flights to Ushuaia via Aerolineas Argentinas from the following cities: Buenos Aires, Argentina (both airports); Cordoba, Argentina; and El Calafate, Argentina. There were also flights available via LATAM from Santiago, Chile, or Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Many cruise lines depart for Antarctica from Ushuaia. However, for those who want to fly to Antarctica, the direct 2-hour flights to King George Island in Antarctica normally leave from the Punta Arenas airport.

Getting to Ushuaia from Puerto Natales

After exploring southern Patagonia in El Calafate, Argentina, Punta Arenas, Chile, Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, and Puerto Natales, Chile, my final destination in this part of the world was back in Argentina, namely Ushuaia.

Unfortunately, there were no direct international flights from Puerto Natales, Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina, even though distance-wise the two cities were relatively close to each other (769 kilometers or 478 miles).

I had three transportation options:

1. Fly from Puerto Natales, Chile, to Santiago, Chile, and then fly to Ushuaia.
2. Take a 6-hour bus ride from Puerto Natales, Chile, back to El Calafate, Argentina, and then fly to Ushuaia.
3. Or, take a 12-hour bus ride from Puerto Natales, Chile, to Punta Arenas, Chile, and then connect to another bus that would cross the border and continue to Ushuaia.

Since all three options were going to take all day, I chose the most direct (and presumably, most comfortable) two-bus route option, which ended up working very well.

Puerto Natales to Ushuaia by bus

I purchased my bus ticket at the Puerto Natales bus station as soon as I arrived by bus from El Calafate. The ticket agent didn’t speak any English, but Google Translate is my friend. The bus to Ushuaia only runs a few times a week, and after checking that the date I requested was available, she issued my two bus tickets. She also showed me the seat map for both buses so I could pick my seats. I could have also purchased the tickets online on the BusSur website.

The bus from Puerto Natales was scheduled to leave at 7 AM, so I made sure to get to the bus station by 6:30. It was organized chaos as mostly foreigners were trying to find their correct buses of the dozen or so options. Fortunately, there was an English-speaking station attendant prominently available with that day’s schedule, answering questions and directing people to the appropriately numbered spot.

The bus left promptly at 7 AM. It was a two-level bus, and it was quite full. Not surprising since it was February, peak summer travel season. The bus was clean, and the seats reclined and had leg rests (as long as you weren’t too tall). There was also a toilet on the first level of the bus. My big luggage was stored under the bus, and only a small backpack with water and snacks fit into the storage above my seat. I was impressed that my large bags were tagged and I was given a numbered luggage tag receipt before boarding.

Around 9:30, we arrived just north of Punta Arenas, where Rt 9 and Rt 255 intersect. The connecting bus was waiting for us at the Trans Petrol gas station. The bus personnel efficiently transferred the luggage for us from one bus to another as we identified our bags and they checked them off their master list. This was also a very quick bathroom stop for those who needed it. My first bus then continued to Punta Arenas, and my second bus headed east (with me on it).

This second bus was smaller, only a single level, but the seats were the same size as the first one. A sandwich and a small bottle of water were waiting at my seat. Once again, this bus was also full.

We reached Faro Punta del Gada around 11, and by 12, we had boarded the ferry and crossed to the other side. At 2 PM, we arrived at the Chilean border crossing, which took about 30 minutes to process the whole bus. 15 minutes later, we reached the Argentinian border control, which went equally smoothly. By 3:15, it was wheels up, and we were on the road again.

I can’t say that the scenery along most of the route was particularly inspiring. For the majority of the drive, it was nothing but dry, flat, grassy plains all the way to the distant horizon, occasionally punctuated by the red roofs of an Estancia and herds of the ubiquitous guanacos. Without something to do, it would have been mind-numbingly boring. Fortunately, the bus had WiFi, and I spent the hours writing.

About two hours from Ushuaia, the scenery began to get a little hilly with bushes and small trees. In the distance, the tops of mountains began to appear. It didn’t take long for the road to start climbing up into the mountains with their distant views of glaciers as we got closer to Ushuaia.

We reached the bus station in Ushuaia shortly after 6:30 PM. I didn’t mind that we arrived a little earlier than promised. Though long, the trip went surprisingly quickly and surprisingly efficiently.

I can most definitely recommend this mode of travel between Puerto Natales and Ushuaia.