Bariloche Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Land

Bus

Bariloche’s bus terminal (426999) and train station are located across the Río Ñireco on RN 237. Shop around for the best deals, since fares vary and there are frequent promotions. During high season, it’s wise to buy tickets at least a day in advance. The bus terminal tourist office is helpful.

The principal route to Chile is over the Cardenal A Samoré (Puyehue) pass to Osorno (AR$60, 5 hours) and Puerto Montt (AR$60, 7 hours), which has onward connections to northern and southern Chilean destinations. Several companies make the run.

For northern destinations such as San Juan, La Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán, Jujuy and Salta you must go to Mendoza. Buses to northeastern destinations usually connect through Buenos Aires, though you could also head to Rosario where there are frequent services northeast.

To San Martín de los Andes and Junín de los Andes, Albus, KoKo and Turismo Algarrobal (427698) take the scenic (though often chokingly dusty) Ruta de los Siete Lagos (RN 234; see p397) during summer, and the longer, paved La Rinconada (RN 40) route during the rest of the year.

Train

The Tren Patagonico (422450; www.trenpatagonico.com.ar in Spanish) leaves the train station (RN 237), across the Río Ñireco next to the bus terminal. Departures for Viedma (16 hours) are Thursday and Sunday at 5pm; fares are AR$30 turista, AR$70 Pullman (reclining chair) and AR$120 camarote (1st-class sleeper). Departure times change frequently so it’s best to check with the tourist office beforehand.

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Boat

It’s possible to travel by boat and bus to Chile aboard the Cruce de Lagos tour.

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Air

Aerolíneas Argentinas (422425; Av Bartolomé Mitre 185) has flights to Buenos Aires (AR$500) twice daily Monday through Wednesday and three times daily the rest of the week. In high season there are direct weekly flights to Córdoba and El Calafate and possibly Ushuaia.

LADE (423562; Quaglia 238/242, Via Firenze center) flies at least once a week to Mar del Plata (from AR$310), El Bolsón (AR$70), Esquel (AR$110), Comodoro Rivadavia (AR$210), and Buenos Aires (AR$400).

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