Ushuaia Travel Answers

1) Long time and boaring. Most of the roards are paved nowdays, if I remember well the end of Ruta 3 is not still paved, let's say about 16 hours? but there are not inclueded 2 ferries and have to pass through Chilean customs and back to Argentina again, you'll have to make extra insurance and paying for some paperwork, not last, beware to have nothing forbidden, also an apple is forbidden. 2) Going North to Bariloche, in that area Ruta 40 it's not at its best, better it you take a flight. Around Bariloche you'll find many many places where to go. 3) As it's better to have full insurance, Car rental in South America are very very expensive, distance are very long, drop the car somewhere else it's would cost mucho dinero. Lodging in Patagonia are not so many, you might check for an apartment but not sure for few days it's a good idea. I do suggest flights instead the car, distances are very long, landscape may be boaring, you can make hundreds ok km and see nothing than land, btw Patagonia is desert, and petrol stations are not so closed each other. In any case renting a car locally, no drop off cost and in this case also easier to get one. Anyway rentals in Argentina are considerably more expensive than in the rest of the world. to save money with flights check aerolineas.com.ar/arg/main.a... for the airpass, you don't need to go to Argentina with them.

I would like to add some remarks: - one way car rental is very often VERY expensive - you als could travel by bus and boat (for bus travel El Calafate> Puerto Natales and Puerto Natales > Punta Arenas see my Puerto Natales Transportation Tips: Puerto Natales Transportation Tips by vtveen for bus travel Punta Arenas - Ushuaia: ushuaia.com.ar/Transportes.h... - make a stop in Puerto Natales for a (day) trip to Torres del Paine NP - make a stop in Punta Arenas to see the pinguins happy travels Jaap

this is the right aerolineas's pass to look for aerolineas.com.ar/Arg/main.a...

Thanks for replies. We're trying to get a feel for distances and cost to get to Ushuaia. With 5 people, the cost of flying from BA to Bariloche to El Calafate and to Ushuaia seems super expensive, but based on posts maybe more economical than driving? Can anyone recommend a reputable, local travel guide who could put together an itinerary for us?

I do not know how much it's with with BA but from London to Buenos Aires - Round Trip Minimum stay: 7 days Maximum stay: 3 months Changes: EUR 120 Refunds: EUR 150 Issue by: 30th Jun, 2012 Travel dates: between February 15th to Jan 30th, 2013 Buenos Aires via Rome cost would start from GBP 932 then you save with the Visit Argentina Pass (170USD it's valid also from U.K. with AR ticket) Keep present rent a car is very expensive in Argentina and distance are very long, alternative to flights are buses, there are "cama" bus very confortable like a bed and you save hotel's night YOU ARE GOING to the most expensive part of South America. December is not still high season, which starts from Jan, 1st, but if you think to go there second half December, you'd better buy, at least book, now.

I see you added Bariloche to your destinations. I think a one way rental will (almost) cost the mark, if even possible. We tried more or less the same between Trelew and El Calafate and had to pay hundreds of dollars just for the one way option. So we decided to take a plane.