El Calafate is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. El Calafate works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around El Calafate, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 1 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from El Calafate, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in El Calafate starts at around €31 per night, with a typical rate near €63 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Linda Vista Apart Hotel, 3-star, guest rating 9.2 from 283 reviews, from €53 per night; Destino Calafate, guest rating 9.1 from 1030 reviews, from €41 per night; Rochester Calafate, 4-star, guest rating 8.9 from 136 reviews, from €66 per night; Mirador del Lago Hotel, 4-star, guest rating 8.9 from 1408 reviews, from €75 per night; Calafate Parque Hotel, 4-star, guest rating 8.9 from 1269 reviews, from €78 per night.
Day trips & routes: Rio Gallegos — about 306 km, 3h 25m drive. Fastest option is Rio Gallegos: 3h 25m by car.
El Calafate: what to know
Things to see: "Extreme Adventure 4x4", rated 5 from 56 reviews, from €223.31; "Ride Experience - Canyons & Mounts", rated 5 from 36 reviews, from €133.98; "Transfer Moreno Glacier Full Day (roundtrip 6 hours)", rated 5 from 31 reviews, from €116.12; "Essential Patagonia : Private Tour Perito Moreno Glacier + Chaltén", rated 5 from 31 reviews, from €602.93; "Airport Transfer - Downtown", rated 5 from 25 reviews, from €31.26.
El Calafate has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 1 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in El Calafate is around €63, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in El Calafate you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 1 route worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Argentina, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
