Located in the southern region of Chile, Torres del Paine National Park is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and hikers from all over the world. If you are planning this trip of a lifetime, you'll need essential information on how to get there.
While you can access the park from several locations in Chile and Argentina, planning ahead is crucial, as transportation options are limited, and the park's remoteness requires preparation.
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Closest airports to Torres del Paine
The three closest airports to Torres del Paine are:
- Punta Arenas (PUQ) - 300 km (186 mi) away in Chile
- El Calafate (FTE) - 240 km (150 mi) away in Argentina
- Puerto Natales (PNT) - The nearest airport, but with limited domestic flights
The Puerto Natales airport only accommodates domestic flights from two locations in Chile - Santiago de Chile and Puerto Montt. As a result, most visitors opt to fly into the Punta Arenas airport.
Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
Puerto Natales is the gateway town to Torres del Paine. From there, you can travel by bus, rental car, or private transfer.
Bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
The main bus company operating this route is Bus-Sur. There are several daily departures, and the trip takes 2-4 hours, depending on your destination inside the park.
- Bus station: Terminal Rodoviario, Puerto Natales
- Tickets: Purchase online at BusSur.com
- Best option: Take the first morning bus at 7 AM
Torres del Paine bus stops: Where should I get off?
The bus stops at five locations, but most hikers only need Laguna Amarga or Pudeto.
- Laguna Amarga: Entry checkpoint; required stop for documentation. For those heading to campsites Torres Central & Norte, Serón, Chileno, or Cuernos.
- Pudeto: For those heading to Paine Grande, Grey, Cuernos, or Francés; requires further catamaran ride.
Torres del Paine catamaran
Once you arrive to Pudeto, you need to board the catamaran and get across the Lake Pehoé.
- Route: Pudeto to Paine Grande (or vice versa)
- Duration: 30-40 minutes
- Booking: Reserve in advance at Catamaranpehoe.com
The catamaran departure usually aligns with the bus arrival but you should check the schedule before making your plans final.
Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine by car
Renting a car offers more flexibility and is cost-effective when shared among travelers.
- Rental options: Local and international companies (e.g., Europcar)
- Parking in the park: Limited to designated areas
Most people choose to park the car at the parking lot by the Welcome Center. Keep in mind that only regular cars can park there. For camper van type of vehicles, there are other designated parking lots.
Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine
Punta Arenas is the most common airport for travelers heading to Torres del Paine. From there, you can either take a bus or rent a car.
Bus from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine
- No direct buses: You must transfer in Puerto Natales
- Journey time: Approximately 3 hours to Puerto Natales, plus 2-4 hours to the park. Find more information on how to get from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine above.
- Recommended: Stay overnight in Puerto Natales before heading to the park
- Booking: Check schedule and buy tickets at BusSur.com
Santiago de Chile to Torres del Paine
Santiago de Chile, the Chilean capital, is not close to Torres del Paine, but logistics are simple, as there are direct flights to Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales.
- Flight time: Approximately 3 hours to both destinations
- Airlines: LATAM, SKY Arline
- Destinations: Fly to Punta Arenas (year-round) or Puerto Natales (seasonal)
See further instructions on how to reach Torres del Paine once you arrive to Punta Arenas here or Puerto Natales here.
El Calafate to Torres del Paine
Many travelers visit Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina before heading to Torres del Paine. You can travel between El Calafate, the gateway town to Los Glaciares, and Puerto Natales, the nearest town to Torres del Paine, by bus.
Bus from El Calafate to Torres del Paine
- No direct bus: You have to transfer in Puerto Natales. See further instructions on how to get to Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales above.
- Journey time: 5-6 hours to Puerto Natales, plus 2-4 hours to the park
- Border crossing: Ensure you have valid documentation
- Booking: Reserve at BusSur.com
Renting a car from El Calafate to Puerto Natales
- Ensure the rental company allows border crossings
- Obtain special documentation from the rental company for international travel
How to get back to Puerto Natales from Torres del Paine
Most travelers return back to Puerto Natales by bus. There are more companies operating this route, we recommend the Bus-Sur company.
Bus from Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
- 3-4 daily buses
- Tickets: Purchase in advance at BusSur.com
Torres del Paine bus stops: Where should I get on?
- Laguna Amarga: If your last night is at Chileno or Torres Central, head to Laguna Amarga station, located near the main park entrance, approximately 7 kilometers from Torres Central. You can either walk or take a shuttle bus from Torres Central.
- Pudeto: If you're planning to spend your final day at Paine Grande or Grey Campsite, you'll need to reach the Pudeto bus station, situated on the Lake Pehoe shore across from the Paine Grande Campsites. To cross the lake, you'll need to take the catamaran. Be sure to check more catamaran information mentioned earlier.
- Hotel Lago Grey: For those finishing at Grey Campsite, an alternative is available. A boat travels from Grey Campsite across Grey Lake to Hotel Lago Grey, where some buses to Puerto Natales also stop (verify schedules at BusSur.com as not all buses make this stop). Note that this boat ride is more expensive than the catamaran. Refer to LagoGrey.com for the schedule and ticket purchases.
Getting around inside Torres del Paine
You often ask us about transportation options within the park. Let's explore the possibilities.
Shuttle bus in Torres del Paine
The only shuttle service within Torres del Paine runs between Torres Central & Norte/Welcome Center and Laguna Amarga. This bus operates several times daily, with a schedule that varies but typically coincides with arrival and departures of connecting buses to and from Puerto Natales.
You can purchase tickets for the shuttle bus either on-site or in advance via Las Torres Patagonia at this link. The bus schedule typically matches the arrival and departure times of buses to and from Puerto Natales.
Bus from/to Puerto Natales
The bus from Puerto Natales to the park makes five stops, allowing passengers the potential to travel from the western side to the eastern side of the park and vice versa. These stops include Laguna Amarga, Pudeto, Pehoé campsite, Administration, and Hotel Lago Grey.
Tickets between these stops are not available for online purchase like standard tickets. For more details, visit bussur.com/torres-del-paine or bussur.com/destinos.
Official schedule for season 2024/2025
Torres del Paine boat service
- Grey Lake: To get from Grey campsite to Hotel Lago Grey (or vice versa). Purchase your tickets at LagoGrey.com.
- Lake Pehoé: To get from Paine Grande campsite to Pudeto (or vice versa). Book at CatamaranPehoe.com.
Torres del Paine is an unforgettable destination, offering breathtaking landscapes and incredible hiking experience. Whether you travel by bus or rental car, careful planning ensures a smooth journey.
Now that you know how to get there, all that's left is to book your accommodations, pack your bags and embark on your Patagonian adventure!