Many travelers returning from Antarctica to Ushuaia have asked Summer whether they can take a bus from Ushuaia to El Calafate.
The answer is—yes, you can!
This long journey is divided into two segments:
- Ushuaia to Río Gallegos
- Río Gallegos to El Calafate
The bus schedule from Ushuaia is as follows:
- 3:00 AM – Depart from Ushuaia
- 6:05 AM – Arrive in Río Grande, a major town on Argentina’s side of Tierra del Fuego
- 3:00 PM – Arrive at the transfer point, Río Gallegos
Why does this journey take so long? Because shortly after leaving Río Grande, you’ll face the most complicated stretch of the trip. First, you’ll go through border control to enter the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego. Then, you’ll take a ferry across the narrowest part of the Strait of Magellan to leave the island and reach mainland South America. After that, you’ll go through another border crossing to exit Chile and re-enter Argentina before continuing to Río Gallegos.
- After arriving in Río Gallegos, you’ll transfer to another bus, departing at 8:00 PM for El Calafate.
- Finally, at 12:00 AM, you’ll arrive in El Calafate—completing a grueling 21-hour journey!
Now, tell me—if this isn’t an adventure, what is? 😆
What about the bus schedule from El Calafate to Ushuaia?
- 3:00 AM – Depart from El Calafate
- 7:00 AM – Arrive at the transfer point in Río Gallegos
- 8:00 AM – Depart from Río Gallegos after switching buses
From here, you’ll go through the same border-crossing process in reverse:
Exit Argentina and enter Chile, then take a ferry across the Strait of Magellan to reach Tierra del Fuego. In the afternoon, you’ll exit Chilean territory and re-enter Argentina.
- 4:00 PM – Arrive in Río Grande
- 8:20 PM – Finally, arrive in Ushuaia!
Another long-haul journey, but hey—that’s the price of adventure! 😆
When I did a self-drive trip to Ushuaia, I planned to travel from Río Grande to Río Gallegos in a single day.
Now, don’t be fooled by the fact that both places are in Argentina—when traveling by land, there’s a significant stretch of Chilean territory in between!
I set off from Río Grande in the morning and, upon entering Chile, sped ahead, worried about missing the rarely scheduled ferry across the Strait of Magellan.
After the ferry crossing, the landscape changed dramatically—completely flat, with no mountains in sight and hardly any scenery to speak of. But just when I thought it couldn’t get any duller, a thick fog rolled in over Tierra del Fuego, making it impossible to see anything at all!
Is there a simpler way to travel from Ushuaia to El Calafate? Of course! Just take a flight!
The flight takes only about 1 hour, compared to the 21-hour bus journey—what a difference! No endless sitting, no exhausting border crossings, just a quick and easy trip. Way more convenient, right? 😆
How to Plan a Route from Ushuaia to El Calafate and Buenos Aires
Day 1: Disembark in Ushuaia, fly to El Calafate, then take a bus to El Chaltén.
Day 2: Full-day hike to Laguna de los Tres from El Chaltén.
Day 3: Travel back to El Calafate and explore Perito Moreno Glacier via the boardwalks.
Day 4: Ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier (full-day tour).
Day 5: Fly from El Calafate to Buenos Aires. Those heading to Iguazú Falls can continue with a flight to Puerto Iguazú.
Day 6: Full-day tour of Iguazú Falls, then return to Buenos Aires in the evening.
Day 7: Day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, then catch an evening flight out of Buenos Aires.
This itinerary balances adventure with efficiency—the perfect mix of Patagonia, waterfalls, and city life!
For more itinerary ideas combining Antarctica, Los Glaciares National Park, Buenos Aires, and Iguazú Falls, feel free to message Summer!
I’m Summer, a passionate outdoor backpacker.
I’ll recommend only the most exciting and unforgettable destinations for your adventures.
Follow me, and let’s talk about South America and travel! 🌍✨
