Arriving at El Calafate Airport
The first hour at El Calafate airport (FTE): an ATM but no currency exchange, free Wi-Fi, the taxi, shuttle and car-hire desks in arrivals, the airport codes, and what not to bring into Patagonia.
El Calafate’s airport is small and quick to get through. The arrivals hall has the taxi, shuttle, tour and car-hire desks; the terminal has an ATM and free Wi-Fi, but no currency exchange, so draw pesos at the ATM or change money at the banks in town (the airport’s own pages, read November 2026). If you would rather walk out to someone holding your name, book the transfer before you fly: Tolkeyen Patagonia Turismo’s shared Calafate: Airport Transfer is from US$12 a person one way (checked November 2026).
Pick the arrival, the departure or the round trip (US$22 on the dates we read), then give your hotel, flight number and airline booking code. You can reserve now, pay later and cancel free until 24 hours before.
The airport and who runs it
| Name | Aeropuerto Internacional Comandante Armando Tola |
| Codes | FTE (IATA), SAWC (ICAO) |
| Run by | London Supply S.A.C.I.F.I., under a concession from the province of Santa Cruz |
| International since | March 2021 (ANAC Resolution 77/2021) |
| To the town centre | 20.3 km by road on our routing; almost 23 km by the municipality’s figure |
| Its own website | aeropuertoelcalafate.com |
This site is a visitor guide and not the airport. For flight status or a question for the airport, use its own site, which lists a customer-service phone line and a daily chat.
Money and Wi-Fi
- ATM: one, on the ground floor in the check-in area, in the public part of the terminal near the departures entrance.
- Currency exchange: none in the airport. The airport sends you to the banks in town.
- Wi-Fi: free in every part of the airport.
- Trolleys: luggage trolleys are available.
The national park gate at the Perito Moreno Glacier takes cards or pesos in cash, but the El Chaltén portals take cards only, so bring a card that works in Argentina as well as pesos.
The arrivals hall
The airport lists these desks in arrivals: the Condor taxi and remis desk, the VES Patagonia Airport Shuttle at stand 4, Chaltén Travel and TAQSA-MARGA for tours and bus tickets, Don Atilio’s bus to El Chaltén at stand 1, and the car-hire companies. There is no tourist information desk on the municipality’s list for the airport: its three centres are in town and at the bus terminal. We found no SIM-card kiosk or left-luggage desk on the airport’s own pages.
From the airport to town compares the taxi, the shuttle and the transfers; car rental at the airport covers the hire desks.
What not to bring
The airport asks travellers to Patagonia not to carry red meat, cured meats, meat products, fruit, vegetables or plants.
Leaving again
On the way out, the airport asks you to be at the check-in desks two hours before your flight. Departure taxes are included in your ticket, and there is no Argentine passport office (RENAPER) at the airport.
After You Land
Tours from El Calafate with Open Dates
Glacier days, boats and transfers from El Calafate with live availability. What is included and the cancellation terms show before you book.
Have the Ride Waiting
Tolkeyen Patagonia Turismo's shared transfer: a guide with your name in the arrivals hall, then a shared ride to hotels in town, timed to your flight. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates