Getting from Bariloche to Cerro Catedral: Every Transport Option Explained
Cerro Catedral is 19 km from downtown Bariloche -- about 30 minutes by remis taxi ($8-12 USD) or 45-60 minutes by public bus Line 55.
Cerro Catedral is 19 km southwest of downtown Bariloche, and the trip takes 30-60 minutes depending on how you travel. The three main options are a remis (hired car) for $8-12 USD one-way, public bus Line 55 for under $1 USD, or a rental car. Each has real tradeoffs -- this guide covers exactly what to expect so you are not figuring it out on a cold morning with ski boots already on.
Quick Answer: Bariloche to Cerro Catedral transport
- Remis taxi: $8-12 USD one-way, 30-35 minutes, door-to-door
- Public bus (Line 55): under $1 USD, 45-60 minutes, runs from approximately 8am
- Rental car: $40-80 USD/day plus parking, 25 minutes
- Distance: 19 km from downtown Bariloche
- First bus departure: approximately 8:00am from Centro Civico
What is the cheapest way to get from Bariloche to Cerro Catedral?
Public bus Line 55 is the cheapest option by far -- the fare is under $1 USD and the bus runs from Centro Civico along Avenida Bustillo, stopping at the Catedral base. The journey takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. Service starts at approximately 8am and runs roughly every 30-45 minutes through the ski day, with later departures back to town in the afternoon. The tradeoff is time: if you are trying to get first tracks before the lifts get busy, the bus will not get you there before 9am at the earliest. On heavy powder days, every skier in Bariloche is on that bus and it runs standing room only.
How much does a remis taxi cost from Bariloche to Cerro Catedral?
A remis (private hired car, different from a metered taxi) costs approximately 8,000-12,000 Argentine pesos one-way ($8-12 USD at mid-2026 rates). The trip takes 30-35 minutes and the driver will pick you up directly from your accommodation. Most hotels and hostels in Bariloche have a preferred remis number -- ask at reception the night before if you want an early start. Remis drivers are generally punctual and can be booked for a specific time. Some drivers offer a discounted day rate if they wait at the mountain and bring you back at a fixed time.
Is it worth renting a car to ski Cerro Catedral?
A rental car makes sense if you are planning multiple days at different resorts -- Cerro Bayo in Villa La Angostura is 80 km north, and a car lets you combine a Catedral week with a day trip to Cerro Bayo. It also gives you flexibility on timing: you can leave before the lift queue builds and leave after the afternoon rush. The downside is cost -- rental cars run $40-80 USD/day in July, and parking at the Catedral base costs extra. Road conditions on the Avenida Bustillo can be icy in July and August, and the final approach road up to the mountain occasionally requires snow chains after heavy overnight snowfall. If you only plan to ski Catedral, the remis is the better value.
What time should I leave Bariloche to get first tracks at Cerro Catedral?
Catedral lifts open at 9am. To get first tracks on fresh snow after a storm, aim to arrive at the base by 8:30am. That means leaving downtown Bariloche by 7:45-8:00am by remis, or catching the earliest bus at 8am and hoping traffic is light. During July school holidays, the lift queue at the Punta Nevada gondola can reach 45 minutes by 9:30am on powder days. Our guides typically leave accommodation by 7:30am on big snow days to be at the mountain when the patrol opens the top lifts.
Are there any other transport options -- ski buses, shared transfers, or shuttles?
Several hotels and hostels in the Catedral village area (Villa Catedral) offer their own shuttles for guests. Some tour operators in Bariloche run ski-day buses that include lift passes and transport -- these can be good value for single-day visitors who do not want to deal with logistics. Uber and similar app-based services operate in Bariloche but coverage to Catedral can be unreliable in early morning. The remis system is more reliable for early-morning ski starts. See our full Bariloche planning guide for accommodation options in the village itself, which eliminates the transport question entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the public bus go all the way to the Cerro Catedral base lifts?
Yes -- Line 55 terminates at the Cerro Catedral base area, right at the lift ticket office. You do not need a connection. The bus also serves the ski rental shops and restaurants in Villa Catedral.
Can I take skis on the bus from Bariloche to Cerro Catedral?
Yes, but it is crowded in peak season and ski bags take up significant space. Most regular skiers at Catedral either leave equipment at the mountain base rental shops or strap it to a roof rack on a rental car. Carrying full ski gear on a packed bus in July school holidays is uncomfortable but doable.
How late does the last bus return from Cerro Catedral to Bariloche?
The last buses back to Bariloche typically depart around 5:30-6:00pm, after the lifts close. Check the current Catedral Bus timetable posted at the base -- schedules can shift between early season (June-early July) and peak season (late July-August). Missing the last bus means a remis home, which costs the same as the morning trip.
*This guide was written by the Ski Patagonia Co. team, based on 8 years of operating ski trips from Bariloche and hundreds of airport and mountain transfers arranged for our guests.*
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