Getting Here & Around

Getting Here & Around

The most efficient way to get here is by air: from Buenos Aires or Calafate. The most scenic way to arrive is from Puerto Montt, Chile, by boat through the lakes. Buses are the new trains—fast, inexpensive, with varying degrees of luxury, including beds, meals, and attendants. A car or bus is the best way to travel between cities in the Lake District, and once you've settled in a destination, you can use local tours, taxis, or a remis (car with driver).

Air Travel. Aerolíneas Argentinas (www.aerolineas.com.ar) flies from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, Esquel, San Martín de los Andes, and Neuqúen; it also connects Bariloche and Calafate. LAN (www.lan.com) also flies to Bariloche from Buenos Aires as well as from Santiago, Chile, via Puerto Montt.

Boat Travel. Traveling between Bariloche and Puerto Montt, Chile, by boat is one of the most popular excursions in Argentina. It requires three lake crossings and various buses and can be done in a day or overnight. Travel agents and tour operators in Bariloche and Buenos Aires can arrange this trip and many tour companies include it in their itineraries.

Bus Travel. Buses arrive in Bariloche from every corner of Argentina—from Jujuy in the north, Ushuaia in the south, and everywhere in between. Buses are best for the shorter trips.

Car Travel. Driving to the Lakes region from Buenos Aires is a long haul (more than 1,500 km and at least three days) of interminable stretches with few hotels, gas stations, or restaurants. In Bariloche, unless you're on a tour or a ski-only vacation, renting a car gives you the freedom to stop when and where you want. Keep in mind that the Seven Lakes Road closes when weather is bad. For winter travel, it's a good idea to rent a 4x4. Hiring a remis is another option.