Motor Home Time Rental company category:Standard
-
Taller Eletromecanica "Juan Dominguez", El Calafate, Santa CruzView map
Hiring a campervan in El Calafate puts you on the shores of Lago Argentino, at the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, in Santa Cruz province. The Perito Moreno Glacier, the spires of Fitz Roy above El Chaltén and, across the Chilean border, the granite towers of Torres del Paine make up one of the finest road trips on the continent. 2 partner companies, Motor Home Time and Ruta Sur, mainly offer 4x4 campervans and motorhomes built for Patagonia.
The offers we found range from two-seat vans, such as the Charito Camping, to motorhomes sleeping six, so you can travel as a couple or as a family.
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in El Calafate
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €253/day median €371/day | from €253/day median €410/day | from €255/day median €334/day | from €255/day median €390/day |
| Low-profile motorhome | from €425/day median €430/day | from €425/day median €430/day | from €430/day median €435/day | from €430/day median €435/day |
Daily prices observed on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 2 rental companies compared. 43% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €2,500.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from El Calafate
1 The Perito Moreno Glacier and the shores of Lago Argentino
- El Calafate
- Puerto Bandera
- Perito Moreno Glacier
- Lago Roca
- El Calafate
Paved provincial road 11 follows Lago Argentino to the walkways facing the front of the Perito Moreno Glacier, several dozen metres high. On the way, Puerto Bandera is the departure point for boats to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. A gravel track then leads to Lago Roca, whose campsite is one of the few in the southern sector of the park.
- Distance
- about 220 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
2 El Chaltén, Fitz Roy and Lago del Desierto
- El Calafate
- La Leona
- El Chaltén
- Lago del Desierto
- El Calafate
To the north, Ruta 40 crosses the steppe to the historic roadhouse of La Leona, then road 23 runs along Lago Viedma to El Chaltén, a hikers' village at the foot of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Allow at least two days there for the Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre trails. A gravel track extends the trip to Lago del Desierto.
- Distance
- about 550 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or 4x4 motorhome
3 Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales, on the Chilean side
- El Calafate
- Cerro Castillo
- Torres del Paine
- Puerto Natales
- El Calafate
To the south, the steppe leads to the Cerro Castillo border post, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park: turquoise lakes, the Paine horns and Grey Glacier. The park's inner roads are gravel and often swept by the wind. Puerto Natales, on the Última Esperanza fjord, is the place to stock up on the Chilean side before heading back to El Calafate.
- Distance
- about 750 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or 4x4 motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go in El Calafate?
Best time
November and March
March, November
highs 13 to 14 °C, lows 7 to 8 °C
The two months on either side of the austral summer offer the best balance: long days, campsites and trails quieter than in January, and all services open in El Chaltén and in Los Glaciares National Park. In March, the lengas, the beech trees of Patagonia, start turning red around Fitz Roy, and the cool nights call for a heated vehicle.
High season
The austral summer, from December to February
December to February
highs 15 to 17 °C, lows 9 to 10 °C
Peak season draws hikers and travellers from all over the world: busy walkways at Perito Moreno, full campsites in El Chaltén and Torres del Paine, and boat trips on Lago Argentino to book ahead. Temperatures stay cool for a summer, and daylight lasts late into the evening, which allows long driving days.
April-May and September-October
April to May, September to October
highs 7 to 10 °C, lows 1 to 5 °C
These shoulder seasons suit well-equipped travellers: the steppe is quiet and the glacier can be visited without crowds, but nights get close to freezing and snow can return on the passes. Some of El Chaltén's accommodation and services close in May and only reopen in spring.
Winter
The austral winter, from June to August
June to August
highs 3 to 4 °C, lows -1 to 0 °C
Winter is harsh: frost almost every day, black ice on the roads and short days. Perito Moreno remains accessible all year, but El Chaltén slows right down and gravel roads become tricky. Only set off with a heated vehicle, suitable tyres and your rental company's advice on road conditions.
Climate in El Calafate, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 °C | 10 °C | 41 mm | 14 h/day |
| Feb | 17 °C | 10 °C | 50 mm | 12 h/day |
| Mar | 14 °C | 8 °C | 55 mm | 10 h/day |
| Apr | 10 °C | 5 °C | 54 mm | 8 h/day |
| May | 7 °C | 3 °C | 43 mm | 6 h/day |
| Jun | 4 °C | -0 °C | 40 mm | 5 h/day |
| Jul | 3 °C | -1 °C | 50 mm | 6 h/day |
| Aug | 4 °C | -1 °C | 53 mm | 7 h/day |
| Sep | 7 °C | 1 °C | 45 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 10 °C | 4 °C | 49 mm | 12 h/day |
| Nov | 13 °C | 7 °C | 44 mm | 13 h/day |
| Dec | 15 °C | 9 °C | 40 mm | 14 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
From the airport to the depot
El Calafate's international airport is about twenty kilometres east of town, on the shores of Lago Argentino, while the Motor Home Time and Ruta Sur depots are in El Calafate itself. Plan a taxi or a transfer, and set the handover for the next morning if your flight arrives late.
The Patagonian wind
The westerly gusts, sometimes violent in spring and summer, are the main hazard in the region. Park facing into the wind, hold doors firmly when opening them, slow down on the steppe and on bridges, and stop driving when the gusts become too strong: a tall van catches a lot of wind.
Fuel and supplies before you leave
El Calafate is the last well-equipped town before hundreds of kilometres of steppe. Fill up at every station you pass, as isolated pumps on Ruta 40 sometimes run dry, and stock up on water and food: El Chaltén only has small, more expensive grocery shops.
Driving on ripio
Ripio, the gravel roads common around Lago Roca, Lago del Desierto or in Torres del Paine, wears out tyres and windscreens. Drive slowly, slow right down when another vehicle passes and check the spare wheel before departure. Traffic drives on the right.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in El Calafate
Where can I pick up a campervan in El Calafate?
Two partner companies each have a depot on site: Motor Home Time, whose handover point is the Juan Domínguez electromechanical workshop, and Ruta Sur, in town. The exact address and appointment time are in your booking confirmation; let the rental company know if your schedule changes.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in El Calafate?
Our searches in October 2026, covering 42 offers from two rental companies, mandatory fees included, found campervans from €253 per day, with a median of €334 to €410 depending on the season, and low-profile motorhomes from €425 per day. Run a search with your dates to get real prices.
Can I cross into Chile to visit Torres del Paine?
Yes, provided the rental company allows it: it then supplies a document authorising the vehicle to leave the country and insurance valid in Chile, often for an extra fee. Ask for it before departure. At the border, Chilean customs ban fresh fruit, meat and dairy products: empty the fridge before Cerro Castillo.
Can I do a one-way trip to Ushuaia?
Ushuaia, Río Gallegos and Río Grande are also departure cities of our partners. The road, about 900 km long, crosses Chile twice and the Strait of Magellan by ferry. If the rental company offers this one-way trip, its fees are included in the displayed price as soon as you enter Ushuaia as your return city.
Do I need a 4x4 to travel from El Calafate?
Not for Perito Moreno or El Chaltén, which are linked by paved roads: a 4x2 model such as the Aconcagua or the Pampero Evo is enough. For gravel tracks, Ruta 40 northwards or Torres del Paine, the 4x4 Adventure Camper models, the Patagonia Camper 4x4 or the Puma RTT 4x4, with a roof tent, give more leeway.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in El Calafate with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Excellent follow-up, pleasant and efficient contact.
Jérôme K.
Argentina · Mar 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Booking a pick-up with a rooftop tent. A flawless experience from the first exchange with Cooldrive to the return of the vehicle, which allowed us to travel across Argentina just as we wanted: on an ADVENTURE!! This will remain an unforgettable trip. A big thank you for your valuable advice and your responsiveness. Rental company in Buenos Aires very professional and extremely kind.
S.
Argentina · Mar 2025
Trustpilot
The quality of the vehicle was limited, with basic comfort considering the excessive price. Good rating for customer relations, but there was a lack of verification of the rented vehicles.
(anonymous)
Argentina · Jan 2024
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in El Calafate
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Argentina?
A valid driving licence for light vehicles is enough for these campervans and motorhomes. An international driving permit is recommended with a foreign licence and useful at police checks, which are frequent on Patagonian roads. Each rental company sets a minimum age and a minimum number of years of driving, shown in the offer conditions.
Where can I stay overnight with a motorhome around El Calafate?
El Calafate and El Chaltén have several campsites with showers and electricity. In the national parks, overnight stays are only allowed at designated campsites, such as the one at Lago Roca. On the steppe, wild camping is often tolerated, but choose a spot sheltered from the wind and check the local rules.
Is mileage unlimited?
In our searches in October 2026, 43% of offers included unlimited mileage. Yet Patagonian distances are huge: a return trip to Torres del Paine or a drive up Ruta 40 quickly exceeds the allowance. Compare the included mileage and the price per extra kilometre on each offer.
What excess should I expect in case of damage?
The median excess of the offers observed in October 2026 is €2,500. On ripio, flying gravel often damages windscreens, headlights and underbodies: read what the insurance covers, any exclusions and the deposit amount before booking, and photograph the vehicle at pick-up.
When should I book a campervan in El Calafate?
As early as possible for a departure between December and February: our searches found only four campervan offers for January, against ten for the other seasons. The fleet is small and demand from hikers is strong. For April or October, a few weeks ahead is usually enough.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from El Calafate
El Calafate is the natural base for southern Patagonia: within a day's drive you can reach the front of Perito Moreno as easily as the Fitz Roy trails, and Torres del Paine is just one border away. In a motorhome, you wake up facing glaciers and mountains, free from bus tour timetables, and move at the pace of the weather, which changes fast at these latitudes.
The two partner companies offer vehicles designed for the region, from 4x2 vans to 4x4 motorhomes with a roof tent, observed from €253 per day in October 2026. With Ushuaia, Río Gallegos, Puerto Madryn and Bariloche among our other departure cities, El Calafate can also become a stage on a great journey along Ruta 40 or towards Tierra del Fuego, best planned between November and March.
Regions