A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina San Carlos de Bariloche vs. El Chalten for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or El Chalten?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Carlos de Bariloche and El Chalten. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: San Carlos de Bariloche or El Chalten?

San Carlos de Bariloche

Set in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, San Carlos de Bariloche is the biggest city in the Lake District. Bariloche is popular for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and trekking, swimming, fishing and horseback riding in the summertime.

No matter the time of year, there is something for everyone in Bariloche. Skiing season begins from June to October while fishing season is from November to April. Summer is from December to March, but visiting during low seasons (Spring in October to December and Autumn in late-April to mid-June) also has its benefits when it comes to saving cash and avoiding crowds.

Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.

El Chalten

El Chalten is probably one of the most beautiful areas of Patagonia, especially at the slightest ray of sunshine and one of your cheapest destination while you are travelling in Patagonia. Indeed, you will spend your days hiking and there are no park fees. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, and outdoor stores but most of them will not accept credit cards so before heading out, get cash in El Calafate or your previous stop. For the beginners, it will be long hikes in a magical setting and for the experts perhaps a week long expedition to the greatest glaciers of the world. To discover the way people live in the pampa, you may also decide to stay at an Estancia. In the stunning Estancia Santa Thelma, about 300km away from El Chalten, you will be able to explore the surroundings by horse, live a unique experience in the middle of the nature and its vast plains occupied by thousands of merino sheep and horses and of course eat a typical meal of the region.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, and The Best Camping Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or San Carlos de Bariloche?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
    El Chalten Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $121
    El Chalten $91

The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $121, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $91. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Carlos de Bariloche and El Chalten in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Carlos de Bariloche $99
    El Chalten $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Carlos de Bariloche $198
    El Chalten $140
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and El Chalten

Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or El Chalten? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche


Hotels in El Chalten


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.89
    El Chalten $3.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:

  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $16
  • Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $23
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $25
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $25
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $26
  • BRC Airport Private Transfer to Bariloche City Center: $30
  • Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $35
  • Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Playa Bonita: $45
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Catedral to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche or El Chalten?

Prices for flights to both El Chalten and San Carlos de Bariloche change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.57
    El Chalten $9.09

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $46
    El Chalten $38

Tours and Activities in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:

  • Discovering Cerro Catedral: A Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $25
  • Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $39
  • Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $39
  • German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $39
  • Half Day Small Circuit Tour in San Carlos de Bariloche: $45
  • Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $50
  • El Bolson and Lago Puelo Sightseeing Tour: $60
  • Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
  • Journey through Bariloche: Circuito Grande Experience: $63
  • Bariloche: Cerro Tronador and Ventisquero Negro Glacier Tour: $77

Tours and Activities in El Chalten

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for El Chalten are as follows:

  • 3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza: $90
  • Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $120
  • Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten: $120
  • Chalten Kayak Experience: $168
  • Full Day Tour El Chaltén: Hike to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado: $180

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $12
    El Chalten $8.13

Sample the Local Flavors in San Carlos de Bariloche

Also in San Carlos de Bariloche, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bariloche: Patagonian Experience wine tasting: $80
  • Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $86
  • Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and El Chalten, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Chalten would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Chalten and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in San Carlos de Bariloche would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Carlos de Bariloche than you might in El Chalten.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.