Trip planning guide
How to Get to Patagonia: Flights to Torres del Paine and Beyond
Planning flights to Torres del Paine or elsewhere in Patagonia? Chilean Patagonia is reached by flying to Santiago and then south to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, while Argentine Patagonia usually goes through Buenos Aires. This guide compares the two Chilean airports, explains adding El Calafate, rechecking bags in Santiago, and the seasons and buffers to plan around.
In short: Fly to Santiago, then connect to Puerto Natales (closest to Torres del Paine, with seasonal flights) or Punta Arenas (more flights, about three hours further by road). Plan to recheck bags in Santiago, arrive before any fixed trek or cruise, and leave spare time afterwards for weather.
Written by Marshall Jones, co-founder of Catchaflight
Published Last updated
Flying to Santiago
From Australia, both LATAM and Qantas fly Sydney to Santiago nonstop, and LATAM also flies Melbourne to Santiago. From the US, LATAM flies New York to Santiago nonstop from JFK, with connections from other cities through Miami and Lima.
Keep the first day after a long flight light, and read every date in local time, especially when crossing the date line from Australia.
For LATAM fares, Premium Business and South American connections, see our LATAM Airlines flights guide.
Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas
- Distance to Torres del Paine
- Puerto Natales: Closer to the park
- Punta Arenas: About three hours further by road, via Puerto Natales
- Flights from Santiago
- Puerto Natales: LATAM, Sky and JetSMART; fewer flights, and schedules can be seasonal
- Punta Arenas: More flight options across the year
- Best for
- Puerto Natales: Travellers who want the shortest transfer
- Punta Arenas: More flexible dates or travel outside the peak season
| Comparison | Puerto Natales | Punta Arenas |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to Torres del Paine | Closer to the park | About three hours further by road, via Puerto Natales |
| Flights from Santiago | LATAM, Sky and JetSMART; fewer flights, and schedules can be seasonal | More flight options across the year |
| Best for | Travellers who want the shortest transfer | More flexible dates or travel outside the peak season |
Compare the whole journey, including when your transfer can collect you, rather than just the flight.
Torres del Paine entry tickets are bought in advance online through CONAF's park pass system. Bring the pass, printed or on your phone, with your passport or ID to the park entrance.
Adding El Calafate in Argentina
El Calafate, the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier, is in Argentina. Combining it with Torres del Paine means crossing a land border or adding flights, so it needs border-crossing and transport planning, not just a flight comparison.
Check entry requirements for both Chile and Argentina for every passport, and allow for the time a border crossing takes.
Bags and connections in Santiago
On a journey such as Sydney to Santiago followed by a flight to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, plan to collect your checked bags in Santiago, clear customs and hand them back to LATAM for the domestic flight, even on one booking.
Patagonia trips often mean bulkier luggage for changeable weather. Check the allowance on every flight, including any separately booked domestic flight, which doesn't inherit your international allowance. The LATAM baggage allowance guide explains the limits.
Weather, seasons and buffers
Wind, winter conditions and seasonal services can affect the plan. The southern summer, roughly November to March, is the main season, with more flights and longer days.
We arrive before a fixed trek or cruise departure and leave spare time afterwards, rather than build everything around tight connections.
Advice from our travel experts
Answers from our travel experts to the questions travellers ask us most.
How should I plan the flights to Torres del Paine?
We check the flights for your exact dates before committing to hotels and tours. Don't assume a seasonal route operates every day or that there'll be another convenient flight if yours is disrupted.
For Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales is closer, while Punta Arenas can offer more flight options but adds a longer road transfer. Compare the whole journey, including when your transfer can collect you.
Any advice for travellers over 55?
Build the trip around what you most want to experience, with fewer stops and longer stays. Arrive before a fixed trek or cruise departure and leave spare time afterwards. For insurance, check cover for every country and activity, including evacuation from remote areas.
Before you book Patagonia flights
- Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas chosen around the transfer and dates
- Seasonal flight schedules checked for your exact dates
- Comfortable Santiago connection with time to recheck bags
- Arrival before any fixed trek or cruise, with spare time afterwards
- Torres del Paine entry pass bought online in advance
- Border and entry requirements checked if adding El Calafate
- Insurance covering remote-area medical treatment and evacuation
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest airport to Torres del Paine?
Puerto Natales is closest. Punta Arenas offers more flights but is about three hours further by road.
Are there flights to Puerto Natales all year?
LATAM, Sky and JetSMART fly from Santiago, but there are fewer flights than to Punta Arenas and schedules can be seasonal. Check the schedule for your exact dates before booking transfers and tours.
Can I visit Torres del Paine and El Calafate on the same trip?
Yes, but El Calafate is in Argentina, so plan the border crossing and transport, and check entry requirements for both countries.
When is the best time to visit Patagonia?
The southern summer, roughly November to March, is the main season, with more flights and longer days. Wind and weather can still affect plans.
Sources and review
About this guide: This guide combines our practical booking experience with information checked against airline schedules and published airport information. Seasonal routes, schedules and border rules change, so travellers should confirm current arrangements before travel.
Catchaflight is an independent travel agency that helps travellers compare itineraries, understand fare conditions and arrange flight bookings. Our guides draw on practical booking-assistance experience and are checked against current airline and other relevant official sources before publication.
Policies can change; confirm current details with the official provider before relying on them.
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