Getting here

CRUISING FROM PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE

DISCOVER THE PATAGONIA REGION LIKE NEVER BEFORE


Set sail from the historic port of Punta Arenas, the southernmost city of Chile, known for its rich history and strategic location at the Strait of Magellan. The cruise departs from Muelle Prat, located just 5 minutes by car or a 15-minute walk from the main square, Plaza de Armas. Meanwhile, the airport is conveniently located 20 minutes away by car.

Hours – GMT Southern Patagonia – Chile

Punta Arenas, located in Chile’s southernmost region, operates on a unique time zone, different from the rest of Chile. The city follows GMT -3 year-round, meaning it does not switch between summer and winter time like the rest of the country.

Nearby Transportation

Muelle Prat, our departure point, is centrally located and easily accessible. Public buses stop within walking distance of the pier, and taxis are readily available throughout the city. Private transfer services can also be arranged for a more personalized option. Additionally, Punta Arenas is well-connected by air, with flights arriving from major Chilean cities, including Santiago and Puerto Montt.

Punta Arenas, Chile, on the Map

Our departure point in Punta Arenas is conveniently located and easily accessible. Explore the nearby city landmarks or take a moment to appreciate the historic significance of this southernmost port of Chile.

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SAILING FROM USHUAIA, ARGENTINA

CRUISE THROUGH THE PATAGONIA REGION

Set sail from the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina, located on the shores of the Beagle Channel. Known for its unique location at the end of the world, the city serves as a gateway to Antarctica and the Patagonia region. Australis departs from Muelle Turístico de Ushuaia, located just a short walk from the city center. Ushuaia’s international airport is approximately 30 minutes away by car.

Hours – GMT Southern Patagonia – Argentina

Ushuaia operates on GMT -3, the same as the rest of Argentina, without switching between summer and winter time throughout the year.

Nearby Transportation

Muelle Turístico de Ushuaia is centrally located, with easy access via local transportation. Taxis and public buses frequently serve the area, and private transfers can be arranged for added convenience. Ushuaia is also well-connected by air, with flights arriving from Buenos Aires, Córdoba, El Calafate, and other major Argentine cities.

On the Map

Our departure point in Ushuaia is ideally situated near the city’s main attractions and historical landmarks. Take a moment to explore this unique city at the southern tip of Argentina before setting off on your Patagonian voyage.

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Ways to get here.

Cruise through the Patagonia Region from Punta Arenas:

  • Punta Arenas By Air

    Punta Arenas’ Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport connects the city with major Chilean cities. Flights from Santiago take approximately 3.5 hours, while flights from Puerto Montt take around 2.5 hours. Additionally, flights from Balmaceda are about 1.5 hours. There are also seasonal international flights connecting Punta Arenas with cities in Argentina, such as Río Gallegos.

  • Punta Arenas By Land

    Punta Arenas is accessible via Ruta 9. The drive from Río Gallegos, Argentina’s closest major city, takes about 5-7 hours by car or bus, depending on border crossing times. From Puerto Natales, the nearest Chilean city, the trip takes about 3 hours, making it a central stop for travelers heading further south.

Cruise through the Patagonia Region from Ushuaia:

  • Ushuaia By Air

    Ushuaia’s Malvinas Argentinas International Airport connects the city with major cities in Argentina. Flights from Buenos Aires take approximately 3.5 hours, while flights from Córdoba and Rosario take around 4 hours. For those traveling from El Calafate, the flight is about 1.5 hours. Additionally, there are seasonal international flights connecting Ushuaia with cities in South America.

  • Ushuaia By Land

    Travelers can reach Ushuaia by road via Ruta Nacional 3.The drive from Río Gallegos, one of the closest cities in Argentina to Ushuaia, takes about 8-10 hours by car, including a ferry crossing through the Strait of Magellan. Bus services typically take longer, around 10-12 hours, depending on border and ferry wait times.
    For those traveling from Puerto Natales, the nearest Chilean city with bus connections, the journey to Ushuaia takes approximately 18 hours.

Preferred partners

NORTH AMERICA

    Find the itinerary for you

    Tailor-made Patagonia itineraries built around the unforgettable Australis cruise.

    Combine your Patagonia cruise with travel in Patagonia, Chile or Antarctica.

    Extensive exploration of Patagonia’s top highlights by both land and first class expedition ship.

    Discover the best of Patagonia from Torres del Paine National Park to Cape Horn on this ultimate 13-day experience.

    Explore several impressive tidewater glaciers on foot and by Zodiac.

    Santiago, Torres del Paine, a 4-night cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, then El Calafate & Buenos Aires.

    FAQs

    • What are the required documents to travel on the cruise?

      Passengers are required to carry a valid passport and any necessary visas for entering Chile and Argentina. Please note that our itineraries go from Chile to Argentina and vice versa. Each passenger must find out in their country of origin if visas, entry permits, or reciprocity fees are required for BOTH countries, regardless of the port of embarkation, and process them in advance to present them at check-in.

    • Are there reciprocity fees?

      To enter Chile and Argentina, there is a reciprocity tax that is charged to citizens of certain nationalities. This amount varies according to nationality and in recent years many countries have eliminated it, so it is advisable to confirm in the country of origin if there is a reciprocity fee in force to consider.

    • Do children need special documentation?

      All Australis routes disembark in Chilean and Argentine territory. Argentine or Chilean minors who leave their country without one of their parents must carry a notarized permit authorizing them to do so. In case of traveling with both parents they must carry and present the family book. Passengers of other nationalities must verify that they have obtained similar permits according to the regulations of their own country.

    • At what time does the cruise depart from and arrive at each port city?


      SAILING FROM PUNTA ARENAS


      DEPARTURE DAY SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION

      • CHECK-IN: 13:00 hrs. to 17:00 hrs. at Muelle Prat (EPA), Av. Costanera del Estrecho de Magallanes 1398, Punta Arenas, Chile.
      • BOARDING: 18:00 hrs. at Muelle Prat (EPA), Av. Costanera del Estrecho de Magallanes 1398.

      ARRIVAL DAY SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION
      • DISEMBARKATION: Disembarkation time is scheduled for 08:30 hrs. in Ushuaia, Argentina.


      SAILING FROM USHUAIA


      DEPARTURE DAY SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION
      • CHECK-IN:
      10:00 hrs. to 17:00 hrs. at the office of Tolkeyen Patagonia Turismo, at Av. San Martín 409, Ushuaia, Argentina.
      • BOARDING: 18:00 hrs. in Muelle Turístico de Ushuaia, Av. Prefectura Naval Argentina s/n.

      ARRIVAL DAY SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION
      • DISEMBARKATION:
      Disembarkation time is scheduled for 12:30 hrs. in Punta Arenas, Chile.

    • What should I pack?

      The dress code on-board is casual so we suggest dressing comfortably as well as bringing enough changes of clothes since we offer no laundry service.

      For field expeditions, weather conditions are very unpredictable and constantly change during the day. Therefore, we recommend dressing in layers and bringing the following equipment:

      • • Sunglasses.
      • • Waterproof Clothing: Hat, gloves, pants, parka.
      • • Sweater.
      • • Sunscreen.
      • • Trekking shoes or hiking boots, waterproof.