Flight from Ushuaia

[luv-cruising]

We are trying to catch a flight to Iguazu from Ushuaia after leaving the Explorer. The latest one is at 10:00. The airport is only 20 minutes or so from the port. What time were you able to disembark in Ushuaia? Any opinions about whether we will be cutting this too close? thanks.

[57 varieties]

The airport is 10 minutes from the port and the ship often comes into Ushuaia the evening before disembarkation to 'avoid a storm'! Ask your TA to check with Silversea. Otherwise there are lots of flights from Buenos Aires domestic airport to Iguazu and that is where the charter would take you at about 1300h so that may be a safer option.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[fudge]

We went 2 years ago Feb 2013, just checked my review, this is what I wrote.

 

On the day of departure you enjoy a leisurely breakfast leaving the vessel at 08.45, after a very short bus ride to the end of the pier you have about 1hr 50 mins to explore the town, a good opportunity for last minute shopping!

At 10.50 am you board the bus to the airport, it's only a 10 minute ride.

 

Hope this helps?

[Otis]

We came back to Ushuaia almost 24 hours early "to avoid a storm." I have read that the

Explorer typically gets back to Ushuaia the evening before, to be sure to be in place for new guests and to give the crew time out in the town. Of course, your situation might be different,

but my gut is you will easily make that 10 AM flight.

 

If there are problems, you will know when the ship is en route if there are going to be

delays, so you can use the internet and make a Plan B to get you to Iguazu. On departure day,

you will have to find your own way to the airport and should probably keep your bags in your room and take them off the ship yourself.

[jpalbny]

Do they still make you purchase the RT Charter flight from BA<-->USH, even if you don't use it? That was their policy in the past... If so, you'd be paying for two flights home, one of which you would not use.

 

Agree with others who say that you will arrive in plenty of time to make the flight. But it might be cheaper to fly from BA to Iguazu after taking the charter flight from USH - especially if you have to pay for it regardless.

 

****

 

Addendum - yes, you do have to purchase the charter flight. From SS' website:

 

Silversea Expeditions Air Charter Packages

 

For Silver Explorer voyages embarking and/or disembarking in Ushuaia and Longyearbyen, guests are required to purchase Silversea’s Air Charter Package for an additional charge. Fares shown for Silver Explorer are cruise only. The cost for the applicable Air Charter Package will be added at the time of booking.

 

Air charter packages for voyages embarking and/or disembarking in Ushuaia include Economy Class charter air service between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia plus applicable transfers in Ushuaia between airport/pier.

 

Air charter packages for voyages embarking and/or disembarking in Longyearbyen include Economy Class charter air service between Oslo (or other gateway city as designated by Silversea) and Longyearbyen plus applicable transfers in Longyearbyen between airport/pier.

 

Purchase of the Silversea Expeditions Air Charter package is required regardless of utilisation. Additional restrictions may apply.

Edited February 17, 2015 by jpalbny

[luv-cruising]

Our agent informed us that we would be entitled to a rebate if we take our own flight back.

[FlyerTalker]

Our agent informed us that we would be entitled to a rebate if we take our own flight back.

Get it in writing.

 

Glossary:

USH - Ushuaia

EZE - Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires

AEP - Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, Buenos Aires

BUE - Airport code for all airports in Buenos Aires

IGR - Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport, Argentina

IGU - Foz do Iguaçu International Airport, Brazil

 

A number of caveats beyond the question of the SS charter. Flights from USH go to both EZE and AEP in Buenos Aires. Most flights from Buenos Aires depart for IGR from AEP, with an occasional one from EZE. Note that there are two airports at Iguazu - IGR on the Argentina side and IGR on the Brazil side. Depending on your land arrangements, you might want to be flying into one or the other. I do not believe there are any flights from BUE to IGU that do not require a connection in Brazil, usually at Sao Paulo.

 

If you have to change airports in BUE, allow a minimum of 3 hours or more. You can take a taxi, remis, or the scheduled bus service - for the latter, think more like 4 hours. This is to cater to luggage retrieval, schlepping to the transport, transport time (which can be quite bad at rush hour) and the check-in procedures at AEP. You cannot through check luggage between the two airports.

 

The easiest process would be to take the SS charter since you will have paid for it anyway. Stay a night or two in BUE, then fly AEP to IGR for your Iguazu visit. (AEP is much more convenient to downtown, so it's a short cab ride over). Return to BUE for a few more nights. Depending on your hotel in BUE, you may be able to store most of your luggage, significantly improving your IGR process (why take winter clothes you won't need).

 

Hope those are a few thoughts to help out.

[gnld]

Remember if you fly into the Brazilian Iguassu airport, you'll need the expensive Brazilian visa (heard it is now $150). Ditto if you want to see the falls from the Brazilian side, assuming you are staying on the Argentine side.