Flying to Patagonia for Skiing: Flight Times and Routes from the US, UK and Australia

The fastest way to reach a Patagonia ski resort from North America is an overnight flight of 9 to 11 hours to Buenos Aires, then a 2-hour domestic hop to Bariloche (BRC) for Cerro Catedral. From the UK and Europe expect 13 to 17 hours to Buenos Aires, and from Australia 17 to 24 hours with one stop. Plan on 24 to 36 hours door to door for most international skiers, and arrive at least one day before your first ski day.

Quick Answer: Flying to Patagonia for skiing

• New York or Miami to Buenos Aires: about 9-11 hours, overnight, almost no jet lag
• London or Madrid to Buenos Aires: about 12-14 hours nonstop, 15-17 with a connection
• Sydney or Melbourne to Buenos Aires: about 17-24 hours with one stop, via Santiago or Auckland
• Buenos Aires to Bariloche: about 2 hours 10 minutes, $80-$250 USD one way depending on the date
• Typical round-trip fare to Buenos Aires in July: $900-$1,800 USD from the US and Europe, $1,800-$2,800 USD from Australia

How long does it take to fly to a Patagonia ski resort?

Most international skiers need 24 to 36 hours door to door, including the connection in Buenos Aires. The long-haul leg is the biggest block of time, but the domestic leg and the airport change in Buenos Aires add more than people expect.

Ezeiza (EZE) handles almost all international arrivals, while most domestic flights to Bariloche leave from Aeroparque (AEP), about 35 km across the city. That transfer takes 60 to 90 minutes by car. If your airline sells one ticket through to Bariloche, the bags are usually checked through, but you may still have to change airports yourself. Our Buenos Aires to Bariloche guide walks through both options.

Which routes work best from the US and Canada?

Overnight nonstops from Miami, New York (JFK), Houston, Dallas and Atlanta are the easiest options, because you leave in the evening and land in Buenos Aires the next morning. Flight times run roughly 8.5 to 11 hours depending on the departure city. Argentina stays on UTC-3 all year, so in July it is only one hour ahead of New York and two hours ahead of Chicago.

From the West Coast, expect a connection in the US, Panama City, Santiago or Sao Paulo, which pushes the total to 15 to 20 hours. Canadians from Toronto usually connect through the US, Sao Paulo or Santiago, or take the nonstop when it is running.

A few points that save time:

• Book one ticket from your home airport all the way to Bariloche so the airline is responsible if a connection is missed
• Aim for a connection in Buenos Aires of at least 4 hours if you must change airports, and 3 hours if you stay at one airport
• Take the overnight flight south and arrive in the morning, so you can nap and still sleep that night

How do flights from the UK and Europe compare?

Europe has the longest time zone gap among the main markets, but the flights themselves are not much longer than from Australia. Madrid to Buenos Aires takes about 12 to 13 hours nonstop. London to Buenos Aires takes about 14 hours when a nonstop is available, and 15 to 17 hours with a connection in Madrid, Paris, Sao Paulo or another hub.

In July, Argentina is 4 hours behind London and 5 hours behind Paris and Madrid. Most travelers from Europe feel that gap on the first two days, so we build an easy first morning into every itinerary rather than a 07:00 lift start.

What is the route from Australia and New Zealand?

Australians should plan for one stop and an overall journey of 17 to 24 hours. The two common routes are Sydney to Santiago (Qantas has flown this nonstop in the past, check the current schedule) followed by a flight over the Andes to Bariloche, or via Auckland to Buenos Aires when the seasonal flight operates.

Because you cross the date line, you will often arrive on the day you left or the day after, depending on the route. In July, Argentina is 13 hours behind Sydney, which is a full flip of day and night. Give yourself two nights before a serious ski day, or arrive and spend a day on the gentle blue runs at Catedral before anything harder.

Should you fly through Santiago instead of Buenos Aires?

Sometimes, yes. Santiago (SCL) has a direct flight to Bariloche in the ski season on some schedules, and it is a smart option for travelers coming from Australia, New Zealand or the west coast of the Americas. Direct international flights into Bariloche are limited and seasonal, so check your dates early.

The main trade-off is paperwork and risk. You clear Chilean immigration and customs at Santiago, then Argentine immigration at Bariloche. You also add a mountain weather risk on the Andes crossing. Buenos Aires gives you more flight choices and more rebooking options if something is cancelled, so we recommend it as the default.

How much buffer should you leave for delays?

Leave a full day on each end of the trip. Bariloche airport is affected by strong wind, low cloud and occasionally volcanic ash from nearby volcanoes, and a cancelled domestic flight can strand you in Buenos Aires for 24 hours.

Practical rules we give every guest:

1. Arrive in Bariloche the day before your first ski day, never the same morning
2. Book your return domestic flight for the evening, or better, the next day after your last ski day
3. Keep ski boots and your helmet in your carry-on in case your checked bag is delayed
4. Buy travel insurance that covers missed connections as well as mountain rescue

For the ski bag itself, see our guide to flying with skis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct flight from the US to Bariloche? Not usually. Almost all travelers connect through Buenos Aires, and some connect through Santiago, Sao Paulo or Panama City. The domestic leg from Buenos Aires takes about 2 hours 10 minutes.

When should I book flights for a July ski trip? Book 5 to 8 months ahead for the best fares, and earlier for the last two weeks of July. That is also when Argentine school holidays push domestic flights to Bariloche to their highest prices.

Will jet lag ruin my first ski day? From North America, usually not, because the time difference is only 1 to 2 hours. From Europe and Australia, plan on one easier day. Our custom trips include a buffer day for this reason.

This guide was written by the Ski Patagonia Co. team, based on many seasons of guiding at Cerro Catedral and years of arranging international arrivals from our base in Bariloche.

Tell us where you are flying from and which weeks you want to ski, and we will map out the full route for you. Start at Plan My Trip.

Hero photo by Johny Goerend on Unsplash