City in Magallanes, Chile
Getting around Punta Arenas
How to get around Punta Arenas
The centre is walkable. City buses, Uber and taxis cover the city; day tours or a rental car are needed for penguins, Fuerte Bulnes and Torres del Paine.
Ways to get around Punta Arenas
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| City buses (Red Punta Arenas) | Flat fare, pay on board | Regulated network of about 77 buses; ask your hotel for the right line |
| Taxi | About 4,000–7,000 CLP in town | Metered; ask for the taxímetro at night |
| Bus to Puerto Natales | About 7,000–10,000 CLP | About 3 h 15; Bus Sur and Pacheco run many departures a day |
| Ferry to Porvenir | See tabsa.cl | Daily from Tres Puentes, 5 km north of the centre; about 2.5 h |
Ride-hailing apps in Punta Arenas
A 5 km ride costs about $4,000–7,000 ($4.1–7.1).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Operates 24 h; pickups can take longer than in larger cities |
- Taxis are the dependable fallback and Uber waits can be long. Pre-book tours and transfers in summer.
Arriving in Punta Arenas
Carlos Ibáñez del Campo (PUQ)
About 20 km north, 25–40 min: Bus Sur airport shuttle (also to Puerto Natales); taxi around 9,000 CLP; Uber also listed.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Not worth it: strong wind and cold. Taxis, colectivos and rental cars are the options.
- Driving: on the right. Visitors may drive with their home licence plus an IDP; rental companies and police checks may ask for both.
- Onward travel in Chile: Comfortable long-distance buses (Turbus, Pullman) run the length of the country; flights with LATAM, Sky or JetSMART save days to Patagonia and the north.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Punta Arenas?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber.
What's the best way to get around Punta Arenas?
The centre is walkable. City buses, Uber and taxis cover the city; day tours or a rental car are needed for penguins, Fuerte Bulnes and Torres del Paine.
How do I get from the airport to Punta Arenas?
About 20 km north, 25–40 min: Bus Sur airport shuttle (also to Puerto Natales); taxi around 9,000 CLP; Uber also listed.
Is Punta Arenas walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Punta Arenas
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Sources
- Turbus
- Pullman Bus
- EFE Trenes de Chile
- Recorrido.cl (bus tickets)
- Punta Arenas Airport (Aeropuertos Australes)
- Hospital Clínico de Magallanes
- Sernatur Chile
- Transbordadora Austral Broom
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.