Los Glaciares: park tickets, the road to Perito Moreno and a night in El Calafate

Los Glaciares lies at the edge of the inhabited world. This is the south of Argentine Patagonia, where ice descends almost to lake level. People come here for one sight: a wall of blue ice breaks and crashes into the water right before your eyes. Getting there is realistic. A flight from Buenos Aires, at least two nights in El Calafate, and you will see the park's main glacier.

The park covers Argentine Patagonia right at the border with Chile. Below we will break down how to get there, where to stay, and what to see besides the main glacier.

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Why go to Los Glaciares?

💡 In short:

• See Perito Moreno: it is the park's most accessible glacier.
• Plan a full day for Perito Moreno, including the drive from town.
• Bring a jacket, a hat, and a windbreaker even in summer.
• Prices and hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website of Argentina's national parks.

The park is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Ice covers roughly a third of its area. It is the largest ice mass after Antarctica and Greenland. The ice field feeds dozens of glaciers that descend from the Andes straight to the lakes.

© Emesbe at Dutch Wikipedia · CC BY-SAPhoto: Emesbe at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

Ordinary mountain glaciers stay at altitudes above two thousand meters. Here the ice drops almost to the water. You will see ice walls where other countries have forests and pastures. There is no such contrast in the Alps or in Scandinavia. That is exactly why people travel halfway around the world to come here.

The weather in Patagonia changes within an hour. The sun shines in the morning, and by noon wind and rain roll in.

How to get to Los Glaciares

There is one base for the trip: the town of El Calafate on the shore of Lake Argentino. Buses, boats, and cars leave from here to the glaciers. The park itself is huge, its area measured in hundreds of thousands of hectares. You cannot see everything in one day, so plan at least two nights in town.

Fly to El Calafate

The easiest route. Aerolineas Argentinas and low-cost carrier Flybondi fly daily from Buenos Aires. There are flights from Ushuaia and Bariloche. FTE airport is outside town, and you can reach the center in twenty minutes.

From the airport there are three options: a shared transfer, a taxi, and a rental car. The shared transfer is the cheapest and runs on a rotating schedule. A taxi costs more but takes you straight to your hotel.

If you have a license, renting a car in El Calafate gives you maximum freedom. Agencies operate at the airport and in the city center. Some offices close early, so do not put off pickup until the evening.

Drive your own car

Driving from Buenos Aires is a long way: the cities are about two and a half thousand kilometers apart. It only makes sense if you enjoy watching the pampa through the window. For a short trip, flying is a better use of time.

© Raf24 · CC BYPhoto: Raf24, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

From El Calafate to the glacier

A paved road leads from town to Perito Moreno, about an hour and a half each way. At the park entrance, vehicles are checked, so keep your ticket handy.

In winter, roads can have snow and ice. Inside the park, tire chains are mandatory when the road is icy. Rental agencies provide them with the car. Learn how to put on chains in advance so you do not have to do it in the cold.

At the bus terminal in the center, you can buy tickets for the regular bus to the glacier. Buses leave frequently, from early morning until midday. They return until the evening. This is the cheapest way to get there on your own.

© https://www.flickr.com/people/flopisubmarina/ · CC BYPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/people/flopisubmarina/, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

For those who want to see three glaciers at once, there are cruises on Lake Argentino. You are picked up from your hotel and brought back. The boat gets close to the ice walls of Upsala and Spegazzini. Some tours allow you to step onto the ice. Book these trips in advance, as spots sell out in season.

Prices for transfers, taxis, and rentals change every season. Check them with the operator before your trip so you are not calculating with last year's rates.

Weather also dictates plans. In heavy snowfall, the road to the glacier can close. Leave one spare day, and you will not miss the glacier.

Perito Moreno: the glacier that crashes into the lake

First, everyone goes to Perito Moreno. It is the park's most accessible, most famous, and most photographed glacier. Wooden walkways lead to it, from which you can see the entire ice wall.

© Fernando · CC BY-SAPhoto: Fernando, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The glacier is enormous. Its area is measured in hundreds of square kilometers, and the wall rises tens of meters above the water. Such a mass of ice is hard to imagine until you see it in person. The glacier's age is estimated in tens of thousands of years.

The calving is why people come. The glacier presses against the shore and blocks the lake like a dam. Water pushes against the ice and gradually carves a tunnel. Then the arch collapses, and a huge chunk crashes into the water. Major ruptures do not happen every year. Small calvings are almost guaranteed: ice breaks off every few minutes.

The noise is loud. The rumble of the fall carries along the whole shore, and the spray rises high. Watch from the walkways and do not approach the water's edge.

It is easy to spend several hours at the viewing platforms. There are fewer bus groups in the morning, so arrive at opening. Then you will have enough room at the railing and a calm shot.

What to see besides the main glacier

The walkways and trails in the park are laid out conveniently, so after the glacier there is time for other things. Ahead are surprises you do not expect in an icy land.

Besides ice, there is wildlife here. You are in someone else's home, and the hosts sometimes peek out from under the bushes. Foxes and local birds sometimes appear near the walkways. Keep your camera ready and do not feed the animals.

© Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Take a guided glacier tour if you want to see more in one day. The guide will explain how the glacier lives and show the best viewpoints.

Boat docks offer a second activity. Even without a booked tour, you can go down to the water and buy a ticket for a small boat. It does not let you step onto the ice, but it gets close and from different angles. From the water, the ice wall looks even taller than from the shore.

Food and souvenirs round out the walk. The visitor center serves simple food: buns, burgers, croissants. A cup of coffee warms you up after a cold walk. In the shop you can buy magnets, mate cups, and local clothing.

If you have time left, head to the northern part of the park near El Chaltén and Mount Fitz Roy. That is a different edge, with trekking and granite peaks. The drive from El Calafate takes several hours, so plan a night in El Chaltén.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Perito Moreno glacier?

The season in Patagonia runs from November to March, the local summer. Days are long and warm, but more people come to the glacier. In winter, from June to August, it is colder and quieter, and the glacier looks just as good.

How much does entry to Los Glaciares National Park cost?

For foreigners, the ticket costs 50,000 Argentine pesos, with the rate effective from June 1, 2026 (as of 09/2026, park fees on the official website). You pay separately from the transfer, right at the park entrance. Payment is accepted by card or in cash in pesos. Keep your ticket until you leave the park.

Can you see the glacier in one day?

Yes, Perito Moreno is realistic to visit in a day from El Calafate. The drive takes about an hour and a half each way, and you will spend several hours at the viewing platforms. For Upsala and Spegazzini you need a separate day with a lake cruise. Allow extra time for the road and weather.

Do you need a rental car in El Calafate?

Not required, but convenient. With a car, you arrive at the glacier at opening and leave whenever you want. The regular bus and group tours are cheaper and do not require a license. In winter, a rental car will need chains, which are provided with the vehicle.

What should you bring to the glacier?

Bring a warm jacket, a hat, gloves, and a windbreaker even in summer. It is windy on the walkways, and the weather changes fast. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and extra water are also useful. Choose shoes with non-slip soles, as the wooden walkways can be wet.

In short: what to book

Los Glaciares sits at the edge of the world, and logistics are best sorted out in advance. Book your flights and lodging in El Calafate before high season begins. Below is a short matrix for your trip format.

• If you have one day: a Perito Moreno tour with hotel transfer.
• If you have two days: add a cruise to Upsala and Spegazzini.
• If you have a license: a car and an early departure for park opening.

Lodging sells out quickly in high season, so book hotels in El Calafate in advance. Then you will only have to think about the glacier and the weather.