A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Ushuaia vs. Puerto Madryn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn?

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

Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn?

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

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


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Ushuaia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $12, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $14. 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 Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ushuaia $5.73
    Puerto Madryn $5.33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ushuaia $11
    Puerto Madryn $11
Compare Hotels in Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn? 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 Ushuaia


Hotels in Puerto Madryn


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: Ushuaia Hotel Prices and Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ushuaia -
    Puerto Madryn $3.33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia

Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $10
  • Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $10
  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel in shared service: $19
  • Transfer from the hotel to the airport in shared service: $19
  • Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia Port : $25
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $25
  • Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia): $27
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Cruise Port to Ushuaia Airport(USH): $29
  • Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $32
  • Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport : $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $92
  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia 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
    Ushuaia $2.22
    Puerto Madryn $5.78
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:


  • Lunch for Two
    $0.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia

For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ushuaia $13
    Puerto Madryn $5.86

Tours and Activities in Ushuaia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.

  • Panoramic City Train Tour: $10
  • Guided Tour of the City of Ushuaia: $20
  • Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $23
  • Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $24
  • Ushuaia City Tour: $26
  • Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour: $31
  • An Hour Tour in the City of Ushuaia: $32
  • City Tour of Ushuaia: $42
  • Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise: $45
  • End of the World Train Ticket: $50
  • Half-Day Tierra del Fuego National Park (NOT CRUISE): $59
  • Escondido & Fagnano Lake Tour: $60

Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:


  • Whale Watching for Two
    $0.35

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:

  • 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
  • City Tour and Sea Lions at Punta Loma from Puerto Madryn: $75
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $229
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $119
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - Tickets included - Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $129
  • Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
  • From City Tour and Punta Loma Tour: $70
  • From Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip: $153
  • From Valdes Peninsula Full-Day Tour: $203
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
  • Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ushuaia -
    Puerto Madryn $3.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • Wine
    $0.05
  • Beer
    $0.01


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Puerto Madryn is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Puerto Madryn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Madryn than you might in Ushuaia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ushuaia Expensive? and Is Puerto Madryn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn?

Puerto Madryn has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

Both Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia during the summer are popular places to visit.

In January, Ushuaia is generally much colder than Puerto Madryn. Daily temperatures in Ushuaia average around 10°C (50°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Ushuaia usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Madryn. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Ushuaia 10°C (50°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn.

Ushuaia is much colder than Puerto Madryn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ushuaia averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In April, Ushuaia usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ushuaia as well as Puerto Madryn.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ushuaia. In the winter, Ushuaia is much colder than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ushuaia in July average around 2°C (36°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 7°C (45°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Madryn. In the winter, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than Puerto Madryn. Ushuaia gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun.

Ushuaia usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Madryn. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Ushuaia 2°C (36°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

Both Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In October, Ushuaia is generally much colder than Puerto Madryn. Daily temperatures in Ushuaia average around 6°C (43°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In October, Ushuaia usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia

Ushuaia Puerto Madryn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
May 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 4°C (39°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)