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

Heading 55 km south of Caleta Puelche you reach the town of Hornopirén. The Hornopirén - Caleta Gonzalo ferry runs here all year round at least once a day through the fjords - in summer even so two to three times a day - as a so-called double ferry. The first ferry travels from Hornopirén through the Comau fjord up until the Leptepu ferry dock. Then, after a 10 km ride across a penisnsula to the Fiordo Largo dock, the second ferry will already be awaiting; it crosses over the Reñihue fjord to Caleta Gonzalo, where the Carretera Austral continues. The coordination between the ferrys is the same when traveling the opposite way around. The total ride should take you about five hours, excluding waiting time.

The price is subsidized: approx. 8 USD per person and 47 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 foe 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  for car-rental customers 42 USD, any other 53 USD. Please use the Quick Inquiry box on your right to contact us!

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

930 km south of Caleta Gonzalo is the Carretera Austral interrupted again. From Puerto Yungay, a ferry runs three times a day (10 hrs, 12 hrs and 17 hrs) across the Mitchell Fjord to Río Bravo, from where the last section of the Carretera Austral leads to Villa O'Higgins. Duration: 35 minutes. You can take the ferry in the opposite direction at 11 hrs, 13 hrs and 19 hrs. This ferry is free and cannot be reserved. The ship is relatively small but runs again when there are still cars left to carry.

In Puerto Yungay there is also a ferry that runs once a week to Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia (see below).

Ferries off Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt - Chaitén

The first sections of the Carretera Austral can also be bridged by direct ferry from Puerto Montt to Chaitén. The ship runs al least three a week all year round, in summer every day except Sundays. The passengers sit on bus seats (no cabins), and there are small snacks. Some days are subsidized.  The ferry then makes a stopover in Ayacara.

Depending on weather conditions. Current informarion here.

ContactChile will book the ferry for you: Reservation fee for car-rental customers 42 USD, any other 53 USD.

Puerto Montt - Puerto Chacabuco

The fomer Navimag ferry on this route will no longer operate until further notice (as of December 2022).

Ferries off the Island of Chiloé

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

Castro - Chaitén

Between Castro and Chaitén, the ship Kotaix runs every day except Sundays during summertime.

Depending on weather conditions. Current information here.

Quellón - Chaitén

The Quellón - Chaitén route is currently only operated irregularly, once or twice a week. The crossing takes about five hours. The passengers sit on bus chairs (no cabin), and there are small snacks.

Depending on weather conditions. Current information here.

Quellón - Puerto Cisnes

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

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 32 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 if luck you might sight whales in the Golfo de Corcovado.

Depending on weather conditons. Current information here.

ContactChile will book all these ferries for you: Reservation fee for car-rental customers 42 USD, any other 53 USD.

Puerto Yungay - Puerto Natales

The onward journey from the Carretera Austral to Magallanes, i.e. to the southernmost part of the country, enables the boat connection from Puerto Yungay via Caleta Tortel and Puerto Edén to Puerto Natales - without the detour via Argentina. The route passes through a labyrinth of channels on the west side of the Patagonian Ice Fields, and with a bit of luck you can catch a glimpse of the glaciers. The ship has reclining seats similar to a sleeper bus (no cabins), and meals are included.

Depending on weather conditions. Current information here.

All ferries can be booked through ContactChile, reservation fee for rental car customers 42 USD, otherwise 53 USD (depending on the weekly updated exchange rate of ContactChile Ltda.).

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