Ultimate Guide: Avoiding Common Car Rental and Driving Mistakes in Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
🚗 First, let’s introduce the car rental company we chose:
We opted for Europcar at El Calafate airport. The staff were incredibly patient and helpful, and their pricing for handling body scratches upon return was surprisingly reasonable.
🙋 Why choose self-driving instead of public transportation:
Many viewpoints in Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine National Park are easily accessible by the roadside, making self-driving a fantastic option for flexible photo stops. Additionally, if you’re hiking and unsure about your descent time, having a car means you won’t be left worrying about missing the bus.
However, self-driving does come with its own set of challenges, such as navigating road conditions and vehicle maintenance, and it can be more expensive than taking a bus.
❓Reasons for choosing to rent a car from Argentina
Renting a car from El Calafate in Argentina offers the convenience of driving to El Chalten (Fitz Roy) and Torres del Paine in Chile, with a journey that takes only 2-3 hours. The downside is that the cars in Argentina are generally in worse condition compared to those in Chile, and an Argentine visa is required.
If your travel plans are limited to Chile, consider renting a car there. It’s all about matching your travel needs with the right car rental location.
🔔 Car rental tips:
1️⃣ Car rental prices in Argentina can be quite steep, with a compact A-class car costing 💲200 per day during the Christmas season. Most of these cars have manual transmissions, and even a new 2023 model might feel like a 20-year-old car from China inside. Be prepared to adjust.
2️⃣ In Argentina, the speed limit on highways is 110 km/h, while in towns, it drops to 40 km/h.
In Chile, highway speed limits are usually clearly marked.
3️⃣ Many town roads in both Argentina and Chile are unpaved gravel, so it’s best to drive slowly and carefully.
4️⃣ Towns in Argentina and Chile have numerous one-way streets, and Google Maps doesn’t always distinguish them. Keep an eye out for signs with a single arrow, which indicate one-way streets.
5️⃣ When heading to Torres del Paine from Argentina, stick to the main road of Highway 40 and avoid the nearby dirt roads suggested by Google Maps.
6️⃣ There are no rest stops on the Argentine highways, so plan to refuel and eat in the towns along your route.
7️⃣ There are no gas stations inside Torres del Paine National Park.
If you’re coming from Argentina, make sure to fill up in La Esperanza or Rio Turbio to have enough fuel for the self-driving loop and the return trip.
8️⃣ Cell phone signal is sparse in many areas, so download offline maps in advance to stay on track.
9️⃣ The road conditions in Torres del Paine Park are challenging, so it’s highly recommended to purchase full insurance for peace of mind.
🛃 Border crossing guide:
Due to character limitations, please refer to the screenshot in Figure 2 for detailed border crossing information.
Feel free to ask questions 🙋🏻♀️ and I wish you all a happy new year!
