El Calafate to Torres del Paine: the short version
El Calafate is in Argentina and Torres del Paine is in Chile, so every trip includes a border crossing. There are two ways to do it. A day tour takes you there and back in about 15 hours, with pickup from 06:30 and a return around 21:30. A bus to Puerto Natales takes about 5 hours, and you continue into the park from there.
The day tour is a long road trip with viewpoints, not a hiking day. It covers a drive through the park with stops at lookouts, Lago Pehoé, the Salto Grande waterfall and Mirador Cuernos. Park entry and meals are separate. The full Base Las Torres hike is not part of this tour, and it needs about 8 hours of walking on its own, so it does not fit into one border day. See the Base Las Torres hike for the walk.
Our picks: day trips from El Calafate
Two long days from Argentina; the Chilean park entry is paid separately on both.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Torres del Paine day trip from El Calafate
- Bilingual guide
- Hotel pickup in El Calafate
- Insurance
A sixteen-hour day across the border with a Spanish- and English-speaking guide and insurance. Chilean park entry is paid separately.
Check availability →
Full day in Torres del Paine from El Calafate
- Bilingual guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch
A bilingual guide, an air-conditioned vehicle and lunch on a long day from Argentina. Park entry is paid separately.
Check availability →Torres del Paine tours
Day trips and guided tours to the park, with live prices and availability. Check the start point, the length and whether park entry and meals are included.
Day tour or bus: which fits you
The two options suit different trips.
| Day tour from El Calafate | Bus to Puerto Natales | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | About 15 hours, 06:30 pickup, about 21:30 return | 5 to 6 hours |
| Border | Crossing out and back, with formalities at Cancha Carrera | One crossing per trip |
| In the park | Viewpoints, Lago Pehoé, Salto Grande, Mirador Cuernos | Whatever you plan from Puerto Natales |
| Price | Park entry and meals are separate; check the current offer | Semi-Cama CLP 40,000, Salón Cama CLP 50,000, one way |
| Extra fee | – | Terminal fee of ARS 4,000 in cash when you leave El Calafate |
For most visitors with one spare day, the tour is the easiest way to see the park from El Calafate. If you want to hike, take the bus to Puerto Natales and stay there; the Puerto Natales guide shows what the town offers.
The border crossing
The border takes time on both legs of the day.
Documents
Bring valid travel documents and check the entry requirements for your nationality. Do not assume that an ID card is enough for every passport holder.
Time
The tour times include the formalities on the way there and on the way back. Waiting at the border is not predictable, so treat the return time as an estimate and keep your evening free.
Opening hours
Check the crossing hours with your operator before you travel. For a rental car, ask the rental company whether it allows the crossing.
Money
The bus fare is in Chilean pesos, and the terminal fee in El Calafate is paid in Argentine pesos in cash. Keep small notes for that.
What you see on the day
Plan for views, not for trail time.
The stops are lookouts, Lago Pehoé, the Salto Grande waterfall and Mirador Cuernos, which looks toward the Cuernos del Paine. Much of the day is spent driving, so the walks at each stop are short. Read Torres del Paine weather before you pick your day.
El Calafate is also the base for the Perito Moreno glacier on the Argentine side. That is a separate trip in another country, so give it its own day and do not combine it with the park tour.
If you want more than a day, split your time. One night in Puerto Natales and a second day in the park gives you much more than one border day. See the itineraries for 1, 3 and 5 days.
Plan the rest of your trip
What to read next.
El Calafate to Torres del Paine: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Torres del Paine from El Calafate in one day?
Yes. A day tour takes about 15 hours with a 06:30 pickup and a return around 21:30. It is a driving tour with lookouts and a border crossing, not a full hiking day.
Does the El Calafate day tour include the Base Las Torres hike?
No. The tour covers viewpoints, Lago Pehoé, Salto Grande and Mirador Cuernos. The Base Las Torres hike takes about 8 hours of walking on its own and does not fit into this day.
How long is the bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales?
5 to 6 hours. The 2026/27 fare is CLP 40,000 in Semi-Cama and CLP 50,000 in Salón Cama, one way. A terminal fee of ARS 4,000 is paid in cash in El Calafate and is not in the fare.
What documents do I need for the border?
Valid travel documents, and a check of the entry requirements for your nationality before you go. Do not rely on an ID card alone.
Are park entry and meals included in the day tour?
No, the entry ticket and meals are paid separately. Check each offer for what else is included.
Is this the official website of the park or the tour?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the park administration, CONAF or a tour operator.