Río Gallegos is on Argentina's Ruta 3, 65 Kilometers (2.3 mi) north of the Paso Integración Austral / Monte Aymond border crossing into Chile. Any traveler heading to Ushuaia (567 km / 352 mi) and other southern Argentine destinations will have to cross into Chile, exiting at Paso San Sebastián (275 km / 171 mi) on Tierra del Fuego. Do not have produce, milk and meat products with you. If journeying with your own means of transportation (car, motorcycle or bike), beware the winds that howl across the steppe from spring to fall. During the winter months, snow and ice can temporary close Ruta 3, especially on Tierra del Fuego. Río Gallegos has mechanics, gas stations and gomerías (tire repair shops). For bicycle parts and repair, go to Bicicletería Ago-Bikes (Pionero Hugo Muñiz 765, Tel.: 45-7087).

Bus

The Terminal de Ómnibus is located at Ruta Nacional 3 and Charlotte Fairchild, about 1.5 kilometers (1 mi) from downtown (Tel.: 44-2585). The station has a restaurant, internet (expensive at $2.30 per hour), bathrooms, an ATM and a helpful tourism office. Across the street is a Carrefour supermarket. If you have a ticket for an early morning bus, you can stay overnight in the terminal. All companies have offices at the main terminal, except Magallania (San Martín 917). In the high season, more destinations and departures are scheduled. In winter, buses can be delayed by snow and ice.

To Puerto Santa Cruz: 3-3.5 hours – Andesmar (6 p.m., $9-11), Taqsa (8:15 p.m., $9.50). Also El Pingüino.

To Gobernador Gregores: El Pulgarcito (daily 7 a.m., 5 p.m., $19)

To Puerto San Julián: 5-5.5 hours – Taqsa (8:15 p.m., $14.50, Andesmar (3 daily 6-8:20 p.m., $14.50-18.50), Don Otto / Patagónica (10 a.m., 9:30 p.m., $16.50). Also El Pingüino, Tramat.

To Puerto Deseado: Sportman (9 p.m., $38.50, 14 hours)

To Caleta Olivia: 9.5 hours – Vía Tac (8 p.m., 9 p.m., $31), Sportman (9 p.m., $28.50), Don Otto / Patagónica (10 a.m., 9:30 p.m., $28-35.50), Andesmar (3 daily 6-8:20 p.m., $28-38). Also Taqsa, El Pingüino, Tramat.

To Perito Moreno / Los Antiguos: $41 / 44, 15 / 16 hours – Taqsa 7:30 p.m., 8:15 p.m.), Sportman (9 p.m.)

Most Buenos Aires-bound buses pass through these and other northern destinations:

To Comodoro Rivadavia: 10.5-11 hours – Tramat (9 a.m., 7 p.m., $29.50-37), Don Otto / Patagónica (10 a.m., 9:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m., $34.50-40), Vía Tac (8 p.m., 9 p.m., $40), Sportman (9 p.m., $32.50), Andesmar (3 departures 6 p.m.-8:20 p.m., $31.50-39.50). Also Marga, TecniAustral, El Pingüino and others.

To Puerto Madryn: 16-17 hours – Tramat (2 a.m., 12:30 p.m., $50-58), Andesmar (3 departures 6 p.m.-8:20 p.m., $54-64.50), Vía Tac (8 p.m., 9 p.m., $59) and others.

To Las Grutas: 19-20 hours – Andesmar (6 p.m., $64.50-77.50), Tramat (9 a.m., $60-70), Andesmar (6 p.m., 64.50-77.50), Don Otto / Patagónica (9:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m., $56-62.50) and others.

To Buenos Aires: Most services leave 8-9:30 p.m., 36 hours – Vía Tac ($121), Don Otto / Patagónica ($119.50-137), Andesmar ($110-132) and others. Tramat has a morning departure (9 a.m., $102.50-119).

To Bariloche: Tramat (9 a.m., $66.50-81.50, 27.5 h), Don Otto / Patagónica (10 a.m., $71.50-78.50, 24.5 h), Marga (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 p.m., $71.50-94.50, 32 h).

To Río Turbio: $13, 5 hours – Taqsa (noon, 8 p.m.), Marga (1:30 p.m.)

To El Calafate: $13, 4 hours – Taqsa (daily at noon, 2 p.m., 8:30 p.m.), Sportsman (Sunday-Friday 8 p.m.), Interlagos (daily 1:30 p.m.)

To El Chaltén: Magallania (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 3 p.m., $26, 6 hours). In summer, also Taqsa, Marga and others.

To Río Grande / Ushuaia: $34.50 / 51.50, 8 / 12 hours – TecniAustral (8:30 a.m.), Marga (8 a.m.)

To Punta Arenas, Chile: 3-3.5 hours – Pacheco (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 11 a.m., $9), Ghisoni (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday noon, Saturday 11:30 a.m., $10.50). Also El Pingüino.

To Puerto Natales, Chile: El Pingüino (Tuesday, Saturday 11 a.m., $11.50, 6 h).

Buses also depart for 28 de Noviembre, Jaramillo, Tres Cerros, Piedra Buena, Pico Truncado, Las Heras and other destinations.

Air

Aeropuerto Internacional Río Gallegos Piloto Civil Norberto Fernández is located off Ruta 3, seven kilometers (4.2 mi) from the city (Km 8 Ruta Nacional 3, Tel.: 44-2340). A taxi or remis from the bus terminal costs $4 and from downtown $8. More departures and destinations are scheduled in the high season. Prices include all taxes.

Aerolíneas Argentinas (Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. San Martín 545, Tel.: 0810-2228-6527) – To Ushuaia (once daily, $61, 1 h), Buenos Aires (thrice daily, $145, 3 h).

Lade (Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fagnano 53, Tel.: 42-3775, airport Tel.: 44-2012) – Schedules change monthly: To Río Grande / Ushuaia (once daily, $48.50 / 61.50), Calafate (twice weekly, $42), Comodoro Rivadavia (once daily, $75), Buenos Aires / Mar de Plata by way of Comodoro Rivadavia (once weekly, $134 / 142).

Lan Argentina (Aeropuerto Internacional RíoGallegos, Tel.: 45-7189 / 0810-2228-6527). Pop Tour downtown books LAN flights (San Martín 998, Tel.: 43- 9639 / 7889). To Buenos Aires (2-3 flights weekly, $156.50).