One of the most famous trains in South America is the Tren Patagónico, or the Patagonian Train. This overnight train connects the cities of Viedma and San Carlos de Bariloche, which is located near the Chilean border. The distance between the starting and ending stations is 867 km, and the journey takes approximately 9 hours.
Currently, the train operates once a week:
Departure from Viedma: Fridays at 17:00, arriving at the final station on Saturday at 11:53.
Return from San Carlos de Bariloche: Sundays at 17:00, arriving in Viedma on Monday at 11:55.
The train officially consists of air-conditioned, open-plan seating cars (Pullman class) and two-person sleeper compartments. There is also a restaurant car and car transport wagons. Occasionally, older six-person compartment cars without air conditioning, previously used by Portuguese railways, are also in service.
A seat ticket costs approximately 62.38 EUR. Tickets must be purchased online well in advance, as demand is high. As of the time of writing, it was not possible to book a sleeper car ticket online.
In 2023, from January to March, the train operator suspended operations due to the economic crisis, and similar disruptions could happen in the future. Additionally, under the Tren Patagónico name, Chinese-made diesel multiple units operate on shorter routes.
Tren Patagonico – official website. Timetable and online shop.
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Train travel in Argentina – a comprehensive guide
