Ferries in Patagonia

If you plan to discover the breathtaking landscape of Patagonia by rental car, you have to consider taking ferries: Along the Carretera Austral (Ruta 7), four straits are bridged by ferries. Where the Patagonian Ice Field prevents overland travel in Chile, a ferry runs from Puerto Yungay to Puerto Natales. Other ferries connect Puerto Montt with various ports in Patagonia and the island of Chiloé with the mainland.

Carretera Austral

The southern Carretera Austral highway was built in the 80s and 90s through the Patagonian wilderness. Nowadays it attracts increasingly more and more visitors. Though, the road is interrupted at three locations by fjords, leaving connection only possible by ferry.

1.     Arena - Puelche

The Estuario de Reloncaví strait is reached 45 kilometers south of Puerto Montt. Between the two ferry docks La Arena and Caleta Puelche several car ferries commute (roll-on-roll-off system) all year round and around the clock, approx. every 45 minutes. The crossing takes about 45 minutes and costs around 12 USD per car. Without a reservation you simply have to wait for the next ship to arrive. Current information.

2.     Hornopirén - Caleta Gonzalo

55 km south of Caleta Puelche you reach the small town of Hornopirén. The Hornopirén - Caleta Gonzalo ferry runs here at least once a day all year round, and two to three times a day in summer. The first ship sails from Hornopirén through the Comau fjord to the Leptepu ferry terminal, then you cross a peninsula by car on a 10 km road to the Fiordo Largo ramp, where the second ship is already waiting; it crosses the Reñihue fjord to Caleta Gonzalo, where the Carretera Austral continues. The ferries are also coordinated in the opposite direction. The journey takes about five hours plus waiting time in advance.

The price is subsidized: approx. 9 USD per person and 52 USD for a car. In the summer season an additional ship is used on the route, which is not subsidized; Price approx. 140 USD for a car with 2 people. We strongly recommend an early reservation for vehicles, especially during the high season (January and February)! The online reservation is only possible with Chilean credit cards.

ContactChile will book the ferry for you: Reservation fee 60 USD + VAT. Please use the Quick Inquiry box on your right to contact us!

NOTE: The timetables and prices are expected to be updated at the beginning of October.

Drivers must arrive at the dock one hour before the ferry's departure (despite reservation). All timetables are weather-dependent and subject to delays and cancellations.

3.     Puerto Yungay - Río Bravo

The Carretera Austral is interrupted again in the far south. From Puerto Yungay, a ferry crosses the Mitchell Fjord to Río Bravo every hour between 10am and 7pm in summer, from where the last section of the Carretera leads to Villa O'Higgins. Duration: 35 minutes, in the opposite direction between 11am and 8pm. This ferry is free of charge and cannot be reserved.

Puerto Yungay is also the departure point for the ferry that runs once a week to Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia (see below).

Ferries from Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt - Chaitén

The first sections of the Carretera Austral can also be bridged with the direct ferry from Puerto Montt to Chaitén. The ship runs at least three times a week all year round, in summer every day except Sunday. Passengers are seated on bus seats (no cabins, you can sleep in your car) and snacks are served. Some days are subsidized and the ferry makes a stopover in Ayacara.

NOTE: The timetables and prices are expected to be updated at the beginning of October.

Depending on weather conditions. Current informarion here.

ContactChile will book the ferry for you: Reservation fee 60 USD + VAT.

Puerto Montt - Puerto Chacabuco

The fomer Navimag ferry on this route will no longer operate until further notice (as of November 2023).

Ferries from the Island of Chiloé

Several ferries connect the Island of Chiloé with different places along the Carretera Austral.

Castro - Chaitén

Between Castro and Chaitén, the ship Agios runs every Sunday during summertime.

Depending on weather conditions. Current information here.

NOTE: The timetables and prices are expected to be updated at the beginning of October.

Quellón - Chaitén

Since the 2024/25 season, this ferry is no longer in operation until further notice.

Quellón - Puerto Cisnes

The Jacaf also operates the Quellón - Melinka - Puerto Cisnes route five times a week. With a bit of luck you might sight whales in the Golfo de Corcovado.

NOTE: The timetables and prices are expected to be updated at the beginning of October.

Depending on weather conditions. Current information here.

Quellón - Chacabuco

The Queulat ferry sails twice a week from Quellón via "the villages" to Puertos Chacabuco. The journey takes 28 hours as the ship stops at eight small ports along the way, most of which are only accessible by sea; Melinka - Raúl Marín Balmaceda - Santo Domingo - Melimoyu - Puerto Gala - Puerto Cisnes - Puerto Gaviota and Puerto Aguirre. You get a good insight into the austere everyday life of these remote fishing villages. With a bit of luck you might sight whales in the Golfo de Corcovado.

Depending on weather conditons. Current information here.

ContactChile will book the ferry for you: Reservation fee 60 USD + VAT.

Puerto Yungay - Puerto Natales

The onward journey from the Carretera Austral to Magallanes, i.e. the southernmost part of the country, can be made by boat from Puerto Yungay via Tortel and Puerto Edén to Puerto Natales - without the detour via Argentina. The route leads through a labyrinth of canals along the western side of the Patagonian Ice Sheet and, with a bit of luck, you may catch a glimpse of the glaciers. The ship has reclining seats similar to those in a sleeper bus (no cabins), you can sleep in your car; meals are included.

Depending on weather conditions. Current information here.

ContactChile will book the ferry for you: Reservation fee 60 USD + VAT.

Interested? Please use the Quick Inquiry box on your right to contact us.