There are four common means of travel to El Bolsón: bus, car, plane or bike.
There are frequent buses that travel between Bariloche and El Bolsón. Although there is no main bus terminal for the small town, most bus companies (Andesmar; phone: 492178, Via Bariloche/El Valle; phone: 455554, Don Otto; phone: 493910) are located near the village center, off of Avenida San Martin. The bus routes are extremely well-priced but can be packed during high seasons.
Visitors can travel to El Bolsón via the air with the small airline LADE (phone: 492206), a company originally created for military service. Flights leave once a week and consist of a commuter plane that makes frequent stops between Bariloche, El Bolsón, Esquel and destinations further south. The airline also has a multiple-stop route that will take you to Buenos Aires, San Martin de los Andes and Comodoro Rivadavia. Like the airline itself, the airport is tiny. It is located on the far end of town (Bariloche side) on Avenida San Martin.
For those who want to become a more intimate view of the surroundings than a public bus can offer, renting a car is a great option. There is a huge selection of companies in Bariloche that rent dependable cars (starting daily rate is around US $30). The drive to El Bolsón via Ruta 40 is a magical, inspiring valley held between rows of impressive rocky mountain peaks. There are trails and smaller lakes sprinkled throughout the hour and a half trip. There are also a few car rental businesses in El Bolsón but the selection of automobile styles is smaller.
The Ruta 40 route between Bariloche and El Bolsón (and on to Esquel for many) is a popular route for those looking for a world-class bike ride. The pavement on this stretch is smooth and pothole-free. There is, for the majority of the journey, a nice shoulder giving healthy space between car and rider. Bariloche city center has multiple bike shops that rent bicycles and other necessary gear.