Ushuaia to Punta Arenas: Best Bus Travel Strategy for Budget Travelers

Practical post! There aren’t many detailed guides on traveling by bus from Argentina to Chile, so here’s one for those who need it. 🌟

Image 1 features the adorable Magellanic penguin, a sight you won’t get to see on an Antarctic trip. 🐧

In summary, the bus journey takes about 9 hours, but it’s not all spent on the bus. The trip includes various stops for border crossings and ferry transfers, making the ride more interesting and less monotonous. Booking tickets can be quite a hassle and a bit frustrating, though it’s still easier than securing accommodation at Torres del Paine National Park, which can truly drive you crazy. 😂

You can purchase tickets online through the Bussur official website or Busbud. It’s highly recommended to book in advance. Buses operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. For specific booking steps, refer to images 2-3. When it comes to payment, choose the last option, PayPal (the first few options are for Chilean credit cards).

Accessing the website from China can be painfully slow and unstable 😥, so it’s suggested to play some calming music 🧘 while booking to ease the frustration. Ticket availability is also unpredictable, sometimes available and sometimes not, so keep refreshing. 🙄

After booking, you will receive a reminder email from Recorrido the day before (image 4), asking you to check in 45 minutes early and fill out the Chilean entry declaration. You can do this online (in English) or, if you prefer, on the bus. 😂 The driver’s English isn’t great, so it’s best to have your documents ready. The most crucial part is to write the correct border crossing, which is San Sebastian! Don’t make a mistake here! (image 5)

The boarding location is at the bus station opposite the Albatross Hotel (also opposite the cruise terminal), making it very easy to find. About 4 hours after departure, you’ll reach the Argentine 🇦🇷 border checkpoint. Take your passport and get off the bus for inspection, using the same entry and exit point.

You can also use the restroom. After about 20 minutes past the 🇦🇷 checkpoint, you’ll reach the Chilean 🇨🇱 border checkpoint, which is much stricter. You need to take all your carry-on luggage down for inspection, including passports and US visas (Canadian 🇨🇦 visas should also be acceptable according to online guides, but the staff might not recognize them, possibly an isolated case 😂).

They also check customs declarations, and dogs 🐶🐶 sniff the luggage for prohibited items. You’ll be given a white electronic pass slip from PDI, which is very important!! Do not lose it! 👍

After passing the 🇨🇱 border checkpoint, they distribute water and bread 🥖 for lunch. To be fair, the taste is pretty good—some of the better bread around, haha.

Around 2 PM, you’ll reach the Strait of Magellan and switch to a ferry. You can get off and walk around, feeling a bit nostalgic, perhaps pretending to be the Chilean version of Su Shi. When the ferry arrives, board the ship with the bus. 😁

The ferry, crafted in Jiangsu, features signs predominantly in Chinese, with the Spanish translations being somewhat less clear. In an emergency, this gives us Chinese speakers a slight edge in locating life-saving equipment first—a small but proud nod to our linguistic advantage [Party R].

After navigating the strait and driving for about another hour, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Punta Arenas! The bus station is conveniently located in the city center, making it easy to grab a taxi or explore on foot. Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll discover Xiaoyan Gourmet, a delightful Chinese restaurant offering a unique menu and the convenience of WeChat Pay and Alipay 😄

Welcome to the southernmost port of the South American continent!