How to get to Torres del Paine in three steps
Torres del Paine lies in the Última Esperanza province in the Magallanes region of Chilean Patagonia. There is no train and no direct flight into the park. Almost everyone reaches it by road from Puerto Natales, which is the town where buses and day trips start.
From Punta Arenas you take a bus to Puerto Natales. From Puerto Natales a second bus runs to the park stops. If you come from Argentina, there is a bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales that crosses the border. Fares below are the 2026/27 season; they change, so treat them as a guide and not as a final checkout price.
If you only have one day and do not want to organise buses, a guided day trip is the simplest option. See our overview of Torres del Paine day tours from Puerto Natales, which compares what the full-day trips cover.
Three starting points compared
Where you begin decides how many bus legs you need. Fares are 2026/27 in Chilean pesos and for one way unless stated.
| Start | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales | Bus, with a connection from Punta Arenas airport | About 3:15 hours | Semi-Cama CLP 11,000 (CLP 20,000 return), Salón Cama CLP 14,000 |
| Puerto Natales to the park | Bus to Laguna Amarga, Pudeto, Pehoé, Administración or Grey | From 2 hours, depending on the stop | CLP 18,000 (CLP 35,000 return); Grey sector CLP 30,000 (CLP 45,000 return) |
| El Calafate to Puerto Natales | Bus across the Argentina-Chile border | About 5 to 6 hours | Semi-Cama CLP 40,000, Salón Cama CLP 50,000 |
| Inside the park | Bus between stops | – | CLP 5,000; to or from Grey CLP 10,000 per leg |
For most visitors, the simplest plan is to fly to Punta Arenas, take the bus to Puerto Natales, stay there and enter the park from that base. Anyone arriving from El Calafate can go straight to Puerto Natales by bus or join a single long day tour; see El Calafate to Torres del Paine.
Our pick: from El Calafate
If you come from Argentina, this day trip crosses the border and back.
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 tours and day trips
Full-day trips from Puerto Natales and other guided options, with live prices and availability. Park entry is usually not included, so check what each tour covers before you book.
From Puerto Natales into the park
Choose the stop that matches your plan.
Laguna Amarga
The bus stop for the east side of the park and for Base Las Torres. Tickets are checked here and there is a short briefing. Read the Base Las Torres hike before you choose it.
Pudeto and Pehoé
Pudeto is the pier for the catamaran across Lago Pehoé. You can visit the Salto Grande waterfall from Pudeto without paying for the catamaran; the park entry is separate. More in Lago Pehoé.
Administración
A stop on the main bus route inside the park. Pick it only if your accommodation or trail start is there.
Grey
The Grey sector has its own fares, CLP 30,000 one way from Puerto Natales (CLP 45,000 return) and CLP 10,000 per leg inside the park. See Grey Glacier for the boat and kayak options.
The park ticket is bought online as a day pass or a multi-day pass for 2 to 10 consecutive days, at least 24 hours before you enter. It does not replace a bus seat, a catamaran ticket or a mountain bed. Prices and rules are on the entrance fee page.
Roadworks and flights in 2026/27
Two things to plan around if you travel in the coming season.
Roadworks near Laguna Amarga
Construction is under way on the Y-160 and Y-156 roads near Laguna Amarga. The Y-150 road via Sarmiento remains available as an alternative while the work goes on. Allow extra time, since detours can add up to about 30 minutes, and check the current route before you drive.
Puerto Natales airport, January to March 2027
LATAM has announced runway works at Puerto Natales airport (PNT) that mean reduced operations and cancelled flights from January to March 2027. The routes from Santiago (SCL) and from Puerto Montt (PMC) are affected. The airport is not fully closed, and Punta Arenas is the alternative airport. If you plan a flight into PNT in those months, check the schedule for your exact date.
Driving and parking
A rental car gives you freedom on the park roads, but there is no free parking everywhere. Park only in permitted places, especially where pumas are seen near the road. See wildlife in Torres del Paine for the viewing rules.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go once you know how you arrive.
Getting to Torres del Paine: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine?
Take the bus from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, which takes about 3:15 hours, then a second bus from Puerto Natales into the park. The 2026/27 fare for the first leg is CLP 11,000 in Semi-Cama and CLP 14,000 in Salón Cama, one way.
How long is the bus from Puerto Natales to the park?
From about 2 hours, depending on your stop. Arrival times are estimates, because roadworks and the ticket check at the entrance add time.
Can I fly directly to Torres del Paine?
No. The nearest airports are Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, and both are on the road route. Flights into Puerto Natales are announced to be reduced from January to March 2027, so Punta Arenas is the safer choice for those months.
Do I need to book the bus in advance?
Check the timetable for your date before you travel. In high season, plan the return before you leave Puerto Natales, and buy your park ticket online at least 24 hours before entry.
Is this the official website of the park?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the park administration, CONAF, a bus company or any tour operator. Check fares and timetables with the operator before you travel.