Flying from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE): What you need to know
Start your journey at one of Buenos Aires's main airports, Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) or Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE). Explore your options for booking a flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE) taking off from either of these.
The average time for a direct Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport flight is 3 hours 20 minutes.
Buenos Aires and El Calafate (where El Calafate Airport is located) share the UTC-3 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch when you land.
The most popular route is from Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) to El Calafate Airport (FTE), with 23 direct services every week. If you'd rather get moving right away, the earliest flight from AEP to FTE is the 4:10am Aerolineas Argentinas service. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 4:45pm with Aerolineas Argentinas.
To ensure you get on your flight from Buenos Aires to FTE, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
In peak travel periods, expect extended wait times and get there earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Buenos Aires
Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP)
Go straight to your destination from Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP). Nonstop flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE) operate from here.
When jetting out of AEP, you can catch a direct flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport with Aerolineas Argentinas.
Most travellers prefer to book seats with Aerolineas Argentinas between AEP and FTE.
With a reliable 81.75% of services landing on schedule, Aerolineas Argentinas is the most punctual carrier operating on this route.
AEP is about 14 kilometres from central Buenos Aires. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 40 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near Jorge Newbery Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels are just the thing:
Jorge Newbery Airport scores top marks for its on-time performance. 83.76% of flights that depart AEP arrive at their destination without delay.
Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE)
Looking to fly out of Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE)? Direct Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE) flight tickets are available from this popular hub.
You can pick from a range of airlines offering direct flights from Buenos Aires to FTE departing from EZE. Book a ticket with any of these carriers and travel straight to your destination:
Aerolineas Argentinas is the top choice for travellers flying from EZE to FTE.
If you're looking for the most punctual carrier, go with Aerolineas Argentinas. It boasts an on-time performance of 89.87% for flights between Ministro Pistarini Airport and El Calafate Airport.
You can get to EZE from the centre of Buenos Aires in about 35 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport takes roughly 2 hours 10 minutes to travel the 32 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your Buenos Aires to FTE flight? Relax in a hotel near Ministro Pistarini Airport before your holiday officially begins. These stays have your key waiting:
Flights from Ministro Pistarini Airport have a strong track record for punctuality, with 83.93% of them touching down as planned.
About El Calafate Airport (FTE)
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an El Calafate Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hertz, FlexWays or Sixt and experience the lesser-explored corners of El Calafate and beyond.
Booking your ride around three weeks ahead of your Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport flight can help you get a cheaper deal.
How to find the cheapest flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE)
Rs10,615 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport. Return flights start from Rs20,982. These prices can change depending on availability.
Book five months before you want to travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Buenos Aires to FTE.
Organise your trip for October. That's the best month for scoring an incredible deal on Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport tickets. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flight tickets from Buenos Aires to FTE by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Filters make it easier to land a deal on your flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport. Pick the departure times, airlines and number of stops that work for you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to zero in on the cheapest fare fast.
The best time to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE)
February is the quietest month for flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE), while August is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to El Calafate based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Buenos Aires to FTE flight ticket departing in January if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in El Calafate to range from 5ºC to 17ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport in July if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -4ºC and 3ºC.
More about El Calafate
Start your El Calafate trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to explore in this city, it can be hard to know where to begin. Los Glaciares, Mirador Lago Argentino and Mirador Puesta de Sol are popular attractions which should feature on every El Calafate itinerary.
Explore more of Argentina
El Calafate is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of Argentina just waiting to be discovered. About 257 kilometres south-east of El Calafate, a visit to Rio Gallegos will keep your itinerary busy. Start with attractions like Laguna Azul, Museo Marítimo y Naval de la Patagonia Austral and Monumento a la Mujer.
Around 137 kilometres south of El Calafate, Rio Turbio is another favourite stop in Argentina. Start your sightseeing at PLAZA SANTA CRUZ, Acceso peatonal de la Diversidad Carlos Torres and Plaza Centenario del Carbón.
