If you are planning to head south from the sunny vineyards of San Rafael and Mendoza to the stunning lakes of Bariloche, the bus is your best bet. While it is a long haul from San Rafael to Bariloche, it’s one of the most classic routes in Argentina, taking you through the heart of the Cuyo region down into Northern Patagonia.

The reason we opted for that journey was simply that it avoided us going back to Mendoza to take a plane. It felt better to just keep going south.

Choosing Your Bus Company

When you look for tickets from San Rafael to Bariloche, you’ll mostly see two big names: CATA Internacional and Andesmar.

Currently, the departures usually happen in the late evening. You can expect a CATA bus to leave around 9:50 PM, arriving in Bariloche the next day at approximately 1:15 PM. Andesmar often has a slightly earlier departure around 9:20 PM and arrival the next day at 12:30 PM.

We opted for CATA from San Rafael to Bariloche because their 15-hour schedule felt a bit more efficient, and the late-night departure meant we could spend one last full day in San Rafael before sleeping through most of the journey.

Costs for 2025/2026

Prices in Argentina move fast, so always double-check the latest rates. As of early 2026, for the journey from San Rafael to Bariloche, you are looking at roughly:

• Semi-Cama (Half-bed): 60,000 to 75,000 ARS ($60 – $75 USD approx)
• Cama/Ejecutivo (Full-bed): 85,000 to 110,000 ARS ($85 – $110 USD approx)

For a journey this long, we really recommend opting for the Cama seats. They are wider, recline further, and are usually located on the lower deck, which is much less “bumpy” than the top.

How to Get Your Ticket

You can easily grab San Rafael to Bariloche tickets online via sites like Busbud, 12GO (which we have been quite fans of lately), or the official company websites. However, if you have cash, we still recommend going to the bus terminal (Boletería). In Argentina, paying in cash at the counter can sometimes snag you a small discount that you won’t find online.

Since San Rafael to Bariloche is a popular night route, try to buy your ticket at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. We actually bought ours while we were still in Mendoza, which saved us the stress of wondering if the bus would be full when we arrived in San Rafael.

Life On Board

The buses from San Rafael to Bariloche are double-deckers and generally well-maintained. You’ll have AC and a toilet on board, but don’t count on having working USB ports or Wi-Fi—it’s very hit or miss!

On our trip from San Rafael to Bariloche, we had two services where the crew brought around coffee, tea, and the essential Argentinian snack: an alfajor. The seats were comfortable enough to get some decent sleep. Just a tip: bring a neck pillow and maybe some earplugs. We once had a passenger behind us who snored so loudly we’re pretty sure even the driver could hear him!

The Journey

The road from San Rafael to Bariloche is mostly paved and relatively smooth. You’ll make a few stops in smaller towns along the way, but they are usually quick. The highlight is definitely waking up as you approach the Lake District. The transition from the dry, flat landscape to the towering, snow-capped Andes near Bariloche is something you don’t want to miss.

If you’ve done other long trips, like the bus from Belgrano to Mendoza or the trek down to El Chaltén, you’ll find this 15-hour ride feels like a breeze in comparison!

After that 15-hour ride from San Rafael to Bariloche, pulling into the Bariloche bus terminal (Terminal de Ómnibus) is a great feeling. The station is located at Avenida 12 de Octubre 2400, which is about 3 km away from the Civic Center. It’s a busy hub where you’ll find plenty of bus companies, a small café, and a luggage storage service (guardaequipaje) if you aren’t ready to check into your hotel just yet.

Arriving at the Terminal

If you have some time to kill or need to leave your bags, the storage counter is usually open during the day. Just keep in mind that they often only accept cash, and the price is roughly 9,500 ARS per bag for the day. We found the terminal a bit chaotic during peak times, but everything is well-signed.

To get from the terminal to the downtown area, you have two main options: the public bus or a taxi.

Option 1: The Public Bus (Mi Bus): This is by far the cheapest way to get into town. Several lines run from the terminal to the center, including lines 10, 20, and 21. Line 20 is the most frequent and will drop you right near the Civic Center.

The catch? You must have a SUBE card to pay for your fare; you cannot pay the driver in cash. While there is a SUBE machine at the terminal to buy a card, it often runs out of stock or doesn’t allow you to top up your balance. If you don’t have a card yet, you might have to ask a fellow passenger to tap for you and pay them back in cash. It sounds a bit awkward, but people are generally very helpful!

Option 2: Taxi and Remis: If you have a lot of luggage or you are just exhausted after the long journey, taking a taxi is much easier. You’ll find a line of white and blue taxis right outside the main exit. A ride to the center usually takes about 10 minutes and costs between 8,000 and 11,000 ARS, depending on traffic. It’s a bit of a splurge compared to the bus, but sometimes that door-to-door service is worth every peso.

Best Time to Visit Bariloche

To us, Bariloche is a year round destionation that really feels like being in the Alps. Amazing and dry summer, snowy winter, it is no surprise that it is such a popular destination.

• Summer runs from December to February and is perfect for outdoor lovers. The days are very long, with sunlight sometimes lasting until 10:00 PM, and the weather is generally dry and sunny. It is the best time for hiking or kayaking, even if the water remains a bit chilly. You can expect average highs around 22°C (72°F) and lows of 6°C (43°F).
• Autumn, between March and May, is arguably the most beautiful time for photography as the forests turn vibrant shades of red and orange. The air gets much crisper, and the summer crowds begin to thin out. During this season, temperatures usually range from a high of 15°C (59°F) to a low of 2°C (36°F).
• Winter brings the snow from June to August, transforming Bariloche into a winter wonderland. It becomes the ski capital of Argentina, with Cerro Catedral buzzing with activity. It is also the best time to enjoy the famous local chocolate by a fireplace. Temperatures stay quite low, with average highs of 7°C (45°F) and lows reaching -1°C (30°F).
• Spring arrives from September to November and is a season of transition. You can often still ski in early September, but by October, the valleys start to bloom with wildflowers. The weather can be quite unpredictable and windy, with average highs of 14°C (57°F) and lows of 1°C (34°F).

Where to Stay in Bariloche

Bariloche is quite spread out, so where you choose to stay will really define your trip. If you stay in the center, you have everything within walking distance, but staying further out gives you that true Patagonian wilderness feel.

Hotel Cottbus: You will find this one right in the center of town, which is perfect if you want to be close to the shops and bus stops without needing a car.

Design Suites Bariloche: This is a great pick if you want a modern feel; it’s built into the hillside and has incredible floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake.

Llao Llao Resort, Golf-Spa: If you are looking for the ultimate Patagonian luxury, you can’t beat this iconic hotel which is famous for its stunning architecture and views of the surrounding mountains.