Traveling by bus in Argentina and Chile

Hi there, We’re heading to Argentina and Chile next February and really want to do the Carretera Austral starting from Coyhaique.

We’d love some info and feedback on bus routes to get to Coyhaique: Buenos Aires to Comodoro (which we’ve found pretty easily so far), or Buenos Aires to Bariloche (same, there are buses).

The tricky part is getting to Coyhaique in Chile, the starting point for the Carretera Austral. We can’t find any routes! Has anyone done this trip before and could share some tips?

Thanks in advance

Hi there,

It seems you haven’t quite decided yet where to start your journey along Chile’s Carretera Austral.

Personally, I’d go with the option of heading to Bariloche first, then taking a bus to Puerto Montt, and from there traveling along the Carretera Austral—still by bus, if I understood correctly—to finish in Coyhaique or even further south.

February is peak season, and demand for this destination is really high. I’d strongly suggest booking your accommodations and bus tickets in advance, especially if you’re breaking your trip into several legs.

Some of the bus companies operating in the area include Queilen Bus, Kemel Bus, and Transaustral, the latter of which, if I recall correctly, also connects Coyhaique and Comodoro.

One last thing: border crossings between the two countries can be slow, especially during holidays.

Good luck! !

Hi Thierry, and thanks for your reply.

Yes, we’ve planned our trip along the Austral Road starting from Coyhaique down to Tortel, renting a car and booking accommodations for several days. We’re loosely following Heredoto’s journey. From what you’re saying, it sounds like it’d be possible to take an overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, then from Bariloche to Puerto Montt, and finally from Puerto Montt to Coyhaique. I’ll reach out to the companies you mentioned, hoping they’ll respond. Thanks again, Dominique

Hi there, Yes, it’s definitely tricky to reach Coyhaique using public transport. If you're traveling from Bariloche to El Calafate, you can stop in Los Antiguos, and from there, cross the border to Chile Chico. Once there, you can take a ferry to Puerto Ibáñez. From there, you should be able to find a *collectivo* (shared taxi) or a taxi to get to Coyhaique. Check out https://www.buscarolina.cl/ for info, but you’ll get more reliable details at the bus terminal in Chile Chico.

The route from Puerto Montt to Coyhaique is done in stages. First, go to Chaitén, then Puyuhuapi, and finally Coyhaique.

Here’s a blog that lists transport options along the Carretera Austral: https://carretera-austral.cl/buses-y-transporte-publico/. Just a heads-up—everything is subject to change, as things shift a lot on this route...

From what I’m reading, it seems possible to take an overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, then from Bariloche to Puerto Montt, and after that from Puerto Montt to Coyhaique.

For the Argentina leg, I’m not sure—I’m not really an expert on that.

But between Bariloche and Puerto Montt, yes, there are buses. I’ll leave an article (in Spanish) on the topic below.

https://cochamo.com/bus-bariloche-puerto-montt-varas/

Between Puerto Montt and Coyhaique, several stops are possible, including Hornopirén, Chaitén, Futaleufú, and/or Palena.

Have a great trip! !

It’s true that planning these bus routes isn’t straightforward. We decided to take a bus from Bariloche to Puerto Montt (there are several options, and it’s easy to find), but for more peace of mind and speed, we’ll fly from Puerto Montt to Balmaceda. Thanks for your help, and have a great evening, Sheepie and Thierry! !

Great idea, the Puerto Montt–Balmaceda flight—I almost came back to add it to my message to suggest it to you... 😉