Gateway to the Magellan Strait, Tierra del Fuego and the southern end of the continent.
Punta Arenas sits on the northern shore of the Magellan Strait, the southernmost continental city in Chile and the gateway to Tierra del Fuego, penguin colonies and the windswept plains that stretch toward the Antarctic. A car here is essential: public transport is limited, ferry schedules run infrequently, and the region's highlights - from the Isla Magdalena penguin colony boat departure points to the Argentine border crossing toward Ushuaia - are spread over vast distances on paved and gravel routes exposed to strong Patagonian wind.
We offer cars in Punta Arenas with no deposit required on eligible vehicles. That means the local rental company does not block a hold on your card when you collect the car. This is a feature of specific models and is marked clearly in the search results. Liability coverage still includes an excess, which is an independent parameter. When you book, you pay a booking advance online by card. The balance is paid when you collect the car, using the payment method listed for that vehicle - debit card, cash or credit card, specified in your voucher. For more on how this works, see our payment and advance page.
You can collect your car at PUQ airport, 20 km north of the city centre, or arrange delivery to your hotel or address in Punta Arenas. The rental company contact details, pick-up instructions and any delivery fee (if applicable) are provided in your voucher once you confirm your booking. The rental agreement is signed when you collect the vehicle, and any pre-existing damage is recorded at that time by the company representative.
Optional extras - child seats, an additional driver or written permission to cross into Argentina (required if you plan to drive to Ushuaia via Tierra del Fuego) - are available for a fee and should be requested during booking. We also arrange ferry bookings if your route includes crossings to Porvenir or along the Carretera Austral, though these are separate from the car rental itself.
The rental company operates from the airport and offers delivery within the city. Choose the option that matches your arrival time and accommodation.
Carlos Ibanez del Campo Airport is 20 km north of the city centre. The rental counter is inside the terminal building, and cars are parked in the adjacent lot. Most flights from Santiago arrive in the afternoon, so schedule your collection time accordingly when booking. The drive into town takes about 25 minutes on Ruta 9.
If you are staying in Punta Arenas, the rental company can deliver the car to your hotel or a central address. This is particularly useful if you arrive late, plan to spend a day in the city before driving, or are staying near the waterfront and do not want to return to the airport. Delivery times are confirmed in your voucher.
Punta Arenas is compact, with most hotels and services concentrated along Avenida Colon and near Plaza Munoz Gamero. If you prefer to collect from a fixed desk in town rather than at the airport, contact us after booking and we can arrange a city office pick-up where available, depending on the rental company assigned to your reservation.
Punta Arenas is the base for routes that cross the Magellan Strait, circle Tierra del Fuego, or head north into Patagonia. Each route has different surface conditions and weather exposure, so match your car to the terrain.
Ruta 9 north to Puerto Natales is 250 km of paved road, about three hours in good conditions. The route is exposed to strong crosswinds, particularly in summer, and passes Cueva del Milodon about 25 km before Puerto Natales. From there, Torres del Paine National Park is another 112 km, with the final stretch on gravel. A compact sedan like the Toyota Yaris handles the paved leg comfortably, but for the park roads and potential winter ice, a crossover with higher clearance - Corolla Cross or X-Trail - is safer. Fuel is available in Puerto Natales; fill up before entering the park.
The ferry from Bahia Azul, 150 km east of Punta Arenas via Ruta 257, crosses to Porvenir on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego in about five hours. The Bahia Azul road is gravel and exposed to wind. Porvenir itself is small, with limited services. If you plan to drive further into Tierra del Fuego or continue to Ushuaia, you need written permission from the rental company to cross into Argentina, and the route includes two ferry segments and about 600 km of mixed pavement and gravel. A 4x4 or AWD crossover is strongly recommended for this trip, and winter attempts (June to September) are not advisable without studded tyres and local advice.
The departure point for boat tours to Isla Magdalena, where Magellanic penguins nest from October to March, is about 60 km northeast of Punta Arenas. The site is accessed via a paved road and short gravel track. Tours leave early in the morning and last about eight hours, so plan to drive there the evening before and stay locally if the ferry schedule is tight. Any car handles the route, but check tour operator locations in advance, as some depart from Punta Arenas harbour directly.
This remote volcanic park, about 200 km northeast of Punta Arenas near the Argentine border, protects crater formations and archaeological sites. The access road is gravel and deteriorates in wet weather. The park has no services, so carry extra fuel and water. A crossover with AWD, such as the Nissan X-Trail, provides the clearance and traction needed for the rough sections. The trip is a full day; leave early and confirm road conditions at the park office by email before setting out.
Fuerte Bulnes, 62 km south of Punta Arenas, is a reconstructed 19th-century fort on the Magellan Strait. The road is paved and winds along the coast with expansive views. The drive takes about one hour each way and is suitable for any car. Punta Delgada, further along the same route, is the southern ferry terminal for crossings to Tierra del Fuego. If you are combining this with a ferry trip, check departure times in advance, as the schedule varies by season and weather.
Driving from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia - about 600 km with two ferry crossings - requires written permission from the rental company to take the car into Argentina, arranged during booking. The route includes the Bahia Azul ferry to Porvenir, a long gravel stretch across Tierra del Fuego, a second ferry at the Magellan Strait, and then Ruta 3 south through Argentine territory to Ushuaia. Road conditions are unpredictable, particularly in winter, and mobile signal is intermittent. A 4x4 or AWD vehicle is essential, and you should allow at least two days for the round trip, with an overnight in Ushuaia or Tolhuin. For context on Chile-wide Chile car rental overview, see the main site page.
The fleet in Punta Arenas includes compact sedans, crossovers and pickups. Not all vehicles qualify for no-deposit rental, so filter the search results by that feature if it matters to your booking.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris | Economy Hatchback | City driving, paved routes to Puerto Natales, airport transfers |
| Toyota Raize | Compact Crossover | Mixed pavement and light gravel, extra luggage space, higher seating |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | Midsize Crossover | Gravel routes to Pali Aike, Tierra del Fuego access, four adults |
| Nissan X-Trail | AWD Crossover | Torres del Paine gravel roads, winter conditions, long-distance trips |
| Maxus T60 | 4x4 Pickup | Heavy gravel, remote parks, Ushuaia crossing, cargo capacity |
Each vehicle has its own payment requirements, excess levels and availability. No-deposit cars are common in the compact and midsize categories but less so in the 4x4 range. For dedicated information on 4x4 and SUV rental across Chile, see the linked page.
Patagonian driving is defined by wind, distance and variable road surfaces. Prepare for sudden weather changes and limited services outside the city.
No deposit means the rental company does not place a hold on your card when you collect the car. This feature is vehicle-specific and independent of insurance or excess.
When you search for cars in Punta Arenas using the form above, vehicles that do not require a deposit are marked with a "No Deposit" badge. This is a property of the individual car and rental company, not a class or category. One Toyota Corolla Cross may have no deposit, while another from a different supplier does not. Use the filter to show only no-deposit options if this is important to you.
The absence of a deposit does not change the excess or liability terms. If the car is damaged, you are responsible for the excess amount stated in the rental agreement, which is separate from whether a deposit was taken. These are two independent parameters, and one does not affect the other.
When you book, you pay an advance online by card. The remaining balance is paid when you collect the car, using the method specified for that vehicle: debit card, cash or credit card. This is shown clearly in the search results and in your voucher. You will need your driving licence (foreign licences are accepted, though an International Driving Permit is recommended), a passport for identification, and the payment card or cash for the balance.
If you do not have a credit card and the car you want requires one for the balance, consider increasing the limit on your debit card before travel. For full details on how payment is split and what documents to bring, see the payment methods page.
Common questions about renting a car in Punta Arenas, from airport pick-up to crossing into Argentina.
Yes. Many cars in Punta Arenas accept payment by debit card or cash for the balance when you collect the vehicle. The booking advance is always paid online by card. Each car listing shows the accepted payment methods for the balance, so you can filter and choose accordingly.
You can collect your car at PUQ airport, 20 km north of the city, or arrange delivery to your hotel or address in Punta Arenas. The rental company details and collection instructions are provided in your voucher after booking. If you want city delivery instead of airport pick-up, choose that option when entering your location in the search form.
No. Ruta 9 from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is paved for the entire 250 km, and a compact sedan handles the route comfortably. However, if you plan to continue into Torres del Paine National Park, where the roads are gravel, a crossover or 4x4 with higher clearance is recommended, particularly in winter or after rain.
Yes, but you must have written permission from the rental company to cross into Argentina, which is arranged when you book. The route to Ushuaia is about 600 km and includes two ferry crossings and long gravel sections across Tierra del Fuego. A 4x4 or AWD vehicle is essential, and winter driving is not recommended without local advice.
You need a valid driving licence (foreign licences are accepted; an International Driving Permit is recommended but not mandatory), a passport for identification, and the payment method for the balance - debit card, cash or credit card, as specified in your voucher. The rental agreement is signed when you collect the car.
Yes, but conditions are challenging. Winter (June to September) brings short daylight hours, freezing temperatures and ice on shaded road sections. Ruta 9 to Puerto Natales is maintained and passable, but gravel routes to Pali Aike or Tierra del Fuego can become treacherous. Studded tyres or chains are often required and can be fitted by the rental company on request. Check weather forecasts and road conditions before departure.
Book as early as possible, particularly for travel between December and March, when demand is highest and no-deposit cars are limited. Availability drops sharply in late summer, and certain models - particularly 4x4 pickups and AWD crossovers - are often reserved weeks in advance. If you have fixed travel dates, book at least four to six weeks ahead.
Search available cars above, compare features and payment options, and book online in under five minutes. Your voucher includes all pick-up details, rental company contacts and any optional extras you have requested. If you are also visiting the north, see options in Santiago before you fly south.