Where To Fly To Reach Patagonia, Argentina

what airport flys int patigonia argintina

Planning a trip to Patagonia? This remote region, known for its towering mountain peaks and expansive glaciers, spans a huge area across Chile and Argentina, so it's important to plan your route carefully. Santiago International Airport (SCL) in Chile and Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Argentina are the main international hubs for the region. From Santiago, you can take a domestic flight to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) or Puerto Natales (PNT) in Chilean Patagonia. From Buenos Aires, you can fly to El Calafate, Trelew, or Bariloche to access different parts of Argentine Patagonia, including the Lakes District.

Characteristics Values
Airports in Buenos Aires, Argentina Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP)
Flight time from Buenos Aires to Bariloche 2 hours and 20 minutes
Airlines that fly from Buenos Aires to Bariloche Aerolíneas Argentinas, LATAM
Airlines that fly direct from Atlanta to Buenos Aires Aerolíneas Argentinas, Delta Airlines
Airports in Chilean Patagonia Punta Arenas (PUQ), Puerto Natales (PNT)
Airport in Santiago, Chile Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL)

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Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport is Argentina's hub airport

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is a unique blend of history, museums, culinary delights, and a vibrant nightlife. The city is well-known for its tango music, delectable local cuisine, and football culture. Its architecture, inspired by European styles, has earned it the nickname "The Paris of South America." With so much to offer, Buenos Aires is a memorable destination for visitors from all walks of life.

When travelling to Buenos Aires, you will likely arrive at Ezeiza International Airport, the city's main hub and the largest airport in Argentina. Officially named Ministro Pistarini International Airport, it is located 31 kilometres (19.2 miles) southwest of downtown Buenos Aires. The airport is easily accessible by local transportation, including airport taxis, remises, premium transfers, and city buses.

Ezeiza International Airport is a bustling aviation centre, handling over 11 million travellers in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted passenger numbers, reducing them to 6.6 million in 2022. The airport boasts three terminal buildings and two landing strips, capable of accommodating any aircraft type. It serves as the primary hub for Aerolíneas Argentinas and manages both domestic and international flights, with the vast majority of international traffic.

If you are planning to explore the breathtaking region of Patagonia, spanning Chile and Argentina, Ezeiza International Airport is an excellent gateway. After arriving in Buenos Aires, you can take a hopper flight to your chosen Patagonian city, or opt to cross the border into Southern Patagonia via Punta Arenas Airport in Chile. Remember, Patagonia is a vast region, so if you're short on time, you may want to focus on one or two areas to explore.

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Domestic flights depart from Buenos Aires' Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery

To reach Patagonia, you can fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Santiago, Chile. Buenos Aires has two airports: Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP). While Ezeiza is the international hub airport, Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery, located close to downtown Buenos Aires, is the airport from which domestic flights depart.

Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery, commonly known as Aeroparque, is located 2 km (1.2 mi) northwest of downtown Buenos Aires. Covering an area of 138 hectares (341 acres), it is operated by Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 S.A. The airport is situated along the Río de la Plata, in the Palermo neighbourhood. It serves as the main hub for domestic flights in Argentina and also serves destinations in South America.

The airport was first proposed in 1925 by Mayor Carlos Noel, with plans for an island airport connected to Avenida General Paz via a causeway. However, a former wetland closer to downtown was selected instead, and the airport was inaugurated in 1947 as Aeroparque 17 de Octubre. It began operations in 1948 with a 1,000-metre runway, serving domestic flights from Buenos Aires and flights to Uruguay. The airport was renamed in honour of Jorge Newbery, a pioneer of Argentine aviation, following the 1955 coup against President Juan Perón.

Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and renovations, including runway extensions and the addition of new terminals. In 2019, all international flights, except those to Uruguay, were moved to Ezeiza Airport to accommodate the increasing air traffic. Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery remains a crucial hub for domestic flights in Argentina, providing connections to various destinations within the country.

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Fly into Santiago, Chile, and take a hopper flight to Patagonia

Santiago, Chile, is a common gateway city for travellers heading to Patagonia. The city's airport, Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL), is located about 30 minutes west of the city and serves as the hub airport for both international and domestic flights in Chile.

When flying into Santiago, it is recommended that you arrive at least 1-2 days before the start of your Patagonian adventure to account for any unforeseen delays and ensure a smooth connection to your domestic flight. Santiago itself is a bustling metropolis nestled in the Andes Mountain Range, offering travellers a vibrant restaurant and theatre scene, extensive shopping districts, and iconic architecture, including the tallest building in Latin America.

From Santiago, you can take a hopper flight to your desired destination in Patagonia. The primary airports in Chilean Patagonia are Punta Arenas (PUQ) and Puerto Natales (PNT), which provide convenient access to the region's stunning landscapes and iconic national parks. For example, Puerto Natales is a two-hour drive from the renowned Torres del Paine National Park.

Alternatively, you can fly to other airports in Patagonia, such as Puerto Montt (PMC) for the Chilean Lake District or Coyhaique (Balmaceda, BBA) for Aysen. These smaller airports offer connections to various regions within Patagonia, such as Chiloé Island and Tierra del Fuego.

When planning your trip to Patagonia, it is important to consider the vastness of the region, spanning over 1 million square kilometres. Proper flight planning is essential to ensure a smooth journey and minimise the amount of time spent in transit.

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Air Canada operates direct flights from Toronto to Santiago

For those travelling to Patagonia, Santiago International Airport (SCL), officially known as Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, is the main hub. It is located in the heart of the Andes Mountain Range and serves as a bustling metropolis with over 7 million people. The city boasts a thriving restaurant and theatre scene, extensive shopping districts, and iconic architecture, including the tallest building in Latin America.

Arriving at least 1-2 days before your desired date to start exploring Patagonia is recommended to ensure a smooth connection to your domestic flight and allow for any unforeseen delays. From Santiago, you can take a domestic flight to southern Chile, with the primary airports being Punta Arenas (PUQ) and Puerto Natales (PNT). These airports provide convenient access to the region's stunning landscapes and iconic national parks, such as the famous Torres del Paine National Park.

If you are travelling to Argentine Patagonia, you can fly through Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and then take a hopper flight to your chosen Patagonian city. Buenos Aires also has a domestic airport, Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP), located close to the city centre. Argentine Patagonia is divided into three regions: the Lake District, Atlantic Patagonia, and Southern Patagonia. You can travel between these regions by car or by taking hopper flights from the various airports in each district.

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There are no direct flights to Buenos Aires from California

To reach Patagonia, Argentina, you'll need to fly into Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires has two airports: Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), which is the country's international hub, and Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP), which serves domestic flights.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Buenos Aires from California. However, you can still reach Buenos Aires from California by booking a flight with a stopover. Flights with a stopover typically have prices ranging from $797 to $849, while direct flights from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires average $741.

You can find flights from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires for as little as $270 on KAYAK, and for $288 on Expedia. These flights may be cheaper because they are last-minute deals. Booking in advance, especially one to three months ahead, can also help you find lower prices. Additionally, opting for a one-way ticket instead of a round trip can offer more flexibility and potentially better deals.

When flying from California to Buenos Aires, you will need to connect through another US hub. Some common stopover options include Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Dallas (DFW), and Toronto (YYZ) if you choose to fly through Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is the international hub airport for Argentina. From there, you can take a hopper flight to your desired Patagonian city.

Hopper flight options from Buenos Aires include:

- Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Bariloche (BRC)

- Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to El Calafate (FTE)

- Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Ushuaia (USH)

- Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Trelew (REL)

You can also fly into Santiago International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile, and then take a domestic flight to southern Chile. The primary airports in Chilean Patagonia are Punta Arenas (PUQ) and Puerto Natales (PNT).

Trelew is one of the lesser-visited airports in Patagonia, but it is excellently placed for those planning a trip to the Magellanic penguin colony at Punta Tombo or to see the marine wildlife that lives on the Valdes Peninsula.

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