Grey Glacier: three ways to see it
Grey Glacier ends in Lago Grey on the western side of the park. The boat is the standard way to see the ice front, and it runs as a round trip of about 2 hours 45 minutes. A kayak trip gets you closer to the water and the icebergs. On foot, you reach the shore at Playa Grey and walk the trails from the Grey sector, which is also the western end of the W Trek.
The boat and the kayak run on different schedules and start at different points, so book them as separate things. Neither includes the park ticket (see the entrance fee page). If you want a guided trip from town, compare the Torres del Paine tours below.
Our picks: Grey Glacier
With transport from Puerto Natales, combined with a park day, or as a three-hour boat from inside the park.
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.
Grey Glacier boat and a full day in the park
- Grey boat ticket
- Certified guide
- Transport
Transport, a certified guide and the Grey boat ticket combined with a full day of viewpoints. Park entry is extra.
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Grey Glacier cruise with transport from Puerto Natales
- Catamaran ticket
- Transport from Puerto Natales
- Guide on board
The catamaran ticket on Lago Grey, transport from Puerto Natales, a driver-guide and a guide on board. Park entry is extra.
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Three-hour boat trip to Grey Glacier
- Three-hour boat trip
- Pisco sour
Three hours on Lago Grey to the glacier front with a pisco sour. It starts inside the park, so you need your own way there and the park entry.
Check availability →Grey Glacier and Torres del Paine tours
Boat trips, guided hikes and full-day tours, with live prices and availability.
Grey Glacier boat trip: prices and times
Grey III navigation, season 1 October 2026 to 30 April 2027. Prices in CLP, 2026/27.
| Ticket | Adult | Child (5 to 12) | Under 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return | CLP 120,000 | CLP 60,000 | Free |
| One way | CLP 110,000 | CLP 55,000 | Free |
Children up to 4 years and 11 months travel free, ages 5 to 12 pay the child rate and from 13 the adult rate applies. Children must be accompanied. For most visitors who come only for the glacier, the return ticket is the simple choice. The one-way ticket suits trekkers who continue on foot.
Times
Departures are at 09:30, 13:00 and 16:00. The full round trip takes about 2 hours 45 minutes, so allow roughly 3 hours with the introduction. Check in 1 hour before departure. A minimum of 25 passengers applies.
One-way crossings
Not every one-way crossing is a glacier cruise. The first two crossings between the hotel and the refugio do not include a glacier visit. The third visits the glacier in front of the refugio. If you want the ice, check which departure you are buying.
Access
The park ticket is extra. The access walk over Playa Grey takes 30 to 45 minutes. The walk is not suitable for guests who rely on walking aids or for strollers, so do not count on a barrier-free trip.
Kayaking on Lago Grey
The kayak trip starts at Refugio Grey and costs CLP 195,000 per person in the 2026/27 season (October 2026 to April 2027). Start times are 08:00, 11:00 and 16:30. The minimum age is 14, and groups are 2 to 16 people.
Equipment, a safety briefing, a snack and a hot drink are part of the trip. Transport, accommodation and the park ticket are not. The trip takes 2 to 2.5 hours, so keep the afternoon free. Free recreational boating is not generally allowed in the park, so go on a guided trip.
Getting to the Grey sector
Where the boat and the trails start.
By bus from Puerto Natales
The 2026/27 bus fare from Puerto Natales to the Grey sector is CLP 30,000 one way or CLP 45,000 return. Rides inside the park are charged separately. See the getting there page for stops and timetables.
On foot as part of the W
The Grey sector is the western end of the W Trek. Nights there must be reserved ahead. The refugios and camping page explains the system.
Hanging bridges
Between Grey and Paso, there are two suspension bridges more than 20 m high. They matter if you walk the O Circuit, whose northern stages run one way. Read the O Circuit page before you plan it.
Rules at the lake
Short, strict and the same for everyone.
Swimming in all lakes, lagoons and rivers of the park is prohibited. Free boating is not generally allowed, and regulated navigation needs a special permit. Private drones are banned, and open fires are not allowed. A boat or kayak departure can be cancelled because of weather, so keep your plans flexible on the day. Pair this page with the weather guide.
Grey Glacier: frequently asked questions
How much is the Grey Glacier boat trip?
For the 2026/27 season (1 October 2026 to 30 April 2027), the return ticket costs CLP 120,000 for adults and CLP 60,000 for children aged 5 to 12. One way is CLP 110,000 for adults and CLP 55,000 for children. The park ticket is extra.
Is the kayak trip on the same lake?
Yes, it runs on Lago Grey, but it starts at Refugio Grey with its own schedule. It is a separate booking with its own price.
Does the boat go to the glacier on every crossing?
No. The first two one-way crossings between the hotel and the refugio do not include a glacier visit. The third does. A round trip includes the glacier.
Is the boat trip suitable for people with limited mobility?
The access walk over Playa Grey takes 30 to 45 minutes. It is not advised for guests who rely on walking aids and for strollers.
Is this the official website of the park?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the national park, CONAF or the concessionaires in the park, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.