Ushuaia Argentina

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Ushuaia, Joining & Leaving Port for Antarctic Adventures

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in Argentina. Located in a stunning mountain setting on the shores of the Beagle Channel, it has become starting point for most expedition ships visiting the Antarctic Peninsula. It has plenty of accommodation of all types (see below), restaurants and places to explore nearby if you arrive a few days early. We recommend to plan to arrive in Ushuaia at least the day before the voyage starts as internal flights down to Ushuaia can sometimes be delayed due to Andes weather.

Getting to and from Port

The normal route from Europe is an international flight to Buenos Aries. This arrives at Ezeiza (EZE) International Airport (also known as Ministro Pistarini Airport). You will need to transfer to Jorge Newbery domestic airport / areoparque on the other side of the city and take a 3.5 hr internal flight from Buenos Airies to Ushuaia – with the main Argentinian airline Aerolineas Argentinas. See more details below.
 

Flight Advice

Flights from Europe To Buenos Aires

Direct flight time from the UK is typically 13 hours. Going via a European city takes about 16hrs.
There is more choice of flights for Europe – Buenos Aries to choose from, compared with the availability on internal flight to Ushuaia so check Aerolineas Argentinas times with seats first.
Try

Cheap flights to Buenos Aires

British Airways (www.british-airways.com)
Aerolinas Argentina (www.aerolineas.com

Often better deals via mainland Europe with
Lufthansa London via Frankfurt – Buenos Aries (www.lufthansa.com)
Air France London via Paris – Buenos Aires (www.airfrance.com)
Iberia via Madrid (www.iberia.com)
LanChile (www.lanchile.com)
KLM via Amsterdam

Beware cheap flight websites – check the fuel charges and taxes as they can be substantial. Beware going via USA airports as customs insist upto 3 hours to get off plane and clear customs – even for transit customers.
 

Flights from North America

Direct flights to Buenos Aries and a few west coast routes via Santiago in Chile but I think you then need to fly across Andes to Buenos Aries and then down, so sounds more expensive ?

Flights from Australia, New Zealand & South Africa
Aerolineas Argentinas and Quantas fly from Sydney via Auckland to Buenos Aries.
South African Airways flys from Johannesburg to both Buenos Aries.

Internal Flights from Buenos Aries to Ushuaia

The normal route from Europe is an international flight to Buenos Aries. This arrives at Ezeiza (EZE) International Airport (also known as Ministro Pistarini Airport). You will need to transfer to Jorge Newbery domestic airport / areoparque on the other side of the city and take a 3.5 hr internal flight from Buenos Airies to Ushuaia – with the main Argentinian airline Aerolineas Argentinas. There is no train route and the distance down the length of Argentina is vast. If you plan to do a Che Gevara motorbike epic please leave plenty of time !!
 

Transfers between Airports

It is not difficult to transfer between airports in Buenos Aries. You have two options – bus or taxi.
Bus: buy your ticket from Manuel Tienda Leon Transport Company. They have a desk inside the Ezeiza International Airport. In 2007 the price was 28 pesos or 9 US$. The bus trip takes 1.5 hrs with a stop at the Manuel Tienda Leon company office downtown before proceeding to Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport.

Taxi: Price was 79 pesos ($25) in 2007 and the trip takes approximately 60 minutes. We recommend you book a taxi inside the airport and beware of private car owners / unauthorised taxis offering lifts outside the airport.

Accommodation in Buenos Aires

Posada de las Aguilas

Near the international airport. Convienient for guests wh need an easy place to sleep between international and domestic flight down to Ushuaia. Free pick up service from the airport

website www.posadadelasaguilas.com.ar

tel 0054 (0) 11 448096370159

e mail   info@posadadelaguilas.com.ar

Gran Hotel Hispano

Hotel in the centre of Buenos Aires, next to a very famous Tango Cafe (Cafe Tortoni)

website www.hhispano.com.ar

tel/fax 0054  (0) 11 4345 2020

e mail hhispano@hhispano.com.ar
 

Ushuaia Airport into town

Ushuaia is a busy travel hub but a relatively safe place, even if you arrive at night. People you meet are all nationalities and generally very helpful and practical, as you would expect from a frontier town and discerning eco tourist destination. The taxi from Ushiaia airport to town / waterfront is only 10 mins and about 15 pesos. Bark Europa will be docked alongside the pier in the Puerto Commercial. It’s a very small place - not really a city and the main pier is easy to spot as all the cruise ships and expedition ships dock along it. To join the ship you must pass through security who will want to see your papers. Tell them you are ‘passagero’ on Barque Europa. Spanish for sailing vessel is ‘el velero’ and ship is el barco.

 History

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Attractions

Great little bookshop with coffee table type explorer and wildlife books in all languages near where Bark Europa is moored.

Try the Patagonian Lamb.

Events

Accommodation

For a good family B&B you should try La Casa de Alba used by many guests joining Europa and by Adam Click Here

There is a wide range of accommodation types in Ushuaia and surrounding countryside. Busiest time is peak Antarctic summer / Andes mountain trekking season in January so do book before you arrive.
 

High Quality accomodation

If you have more time in Patagonia before you sail, try a stay on a working sheep farm or estancia. Some are very special with horse riding and great food, particularly the Patagonian lamb.

See Footprint travel guide to Patagonia for more accommodation tips.

Mid range accomodation

Standard accomodation (2007 prices)

Hosteria Los Fuegos www.hosterialosfuegos.com
Situated on the edge of Ushuaia
2006 prices 270 pesos (75 euro)

Hotel Cabo San Diego www.caboandiego.com.ar
Located in downtown Ushuaia near ship
Large rooms, spotless.
2006 Prices from 50 euro

Hotel Del Monte www.hosteldelmonte.com.ar
Close to airport with mountain backdrop. Only 20 min walk from downtown.
2006 prices from 25 US$

Pueblo Viego - Hostel

Located in downtown Ushuaia near ship. www.puebloviejo.info  tel: 0054 (0) 2901 432 098

e mail: reservas@puebloviego.info