Car rental at El Calafate airport (FTE): rental companies and tips

Rental companies at the airport

Car rental companies operating at El Calafate airport (FTE) and where to find them. The airport is 21 km from El Calafate. See also the airport guide for general information.

Car Rental Desks

Car rental agency desks are situated on the ground floor in the arrivals hall. Vehicle pickup and return take place in the parking lot adjacent to the terminal:

Hertz: Commercial Stores N° 12 and 13. Website: www.hertz.com.ar
Europcar: Commercial Stores N° 9 and 10. Website: www.europcar.com.ar
Avis / Budget: Commercial Store N° 2. Websites: www.avis.com.ar / www.budget.com.ar
Dubrovnik Rent a Car: Commercial Store N° 6. Website: www.rentacardubrovnik.com
Always Rent a Car: Commercial Store N° 5. Website: www.always.ar
Localiza: Commercial Store N° 14. Website: www.localiza.com/argentina
Summit Rentals: Commercial Store N° 7. Website: www.summitcarrent.com
Chaltén Travel Rent a Car: Commercial Store N° 1. Website: www.chaltentravel.com.ar
Sixt: Commercial Store N° 4. Website: www.sixt.com.ar
Alamo / Enterprise: Commercial Store N° 3. Websites: www.alamoargentina.com.ar / www.enterprise.com

Rental Policies and Requirements

Security Deposit: An international credit card in the primary driver's name is required (typical holds range between 600 and 2,200 USD depending on the vehicle class).
Minimum Age: The general minimum driving age is 21 years. Drivers under 25 may incur young driver surcharges.
Border Crossing to Chile: If you plan to visit Chilean destinations such as Torres del Paine or Puerto Natales, cross-border permits and international insurance must be arranged well in advance, as standard agreements prohibit border crossings by default.
Driver's License: A valid national driver's license and passport or government ID are mandatory. If the license is not in Latin script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

Rental counters generally operate from 08:00 to 20:00, adjusting their opening hours to accommodate scheduled flights during peak summer periods.

You can also use online comparison tools to evaluate offers from different companies and choose the most convenient option. Platforms like Discover Cars allow you to see prices, models, and conditions from various agencies in one place.

Companies, opening hours and desk locations can change. Check with the rental company before booking.

Compare rental cars at FTE

See prices for FTE on DiscoverCars

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Tips for renting a car in Argentina

Check that your driver's license is valid in Argentina. Some countries also ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is only valid together with your national license.
Review what the rental includes: collision damage waiver, third-party liability and the deductible. Most companies also hold a deposit on a credit card in the driver's name.
Learn the local rules before you drive: speed limits, right of way, alcohol limits and tolls.
Check which side of the road traffic drives on and where the steering wheel is.
At pickup, photograph the car (inside and out) and the fuel level, and keep the photos until the deposit is returned.
Know what to do in an accident: who to call, what to document and how to report it to the rental company.

Find the rental desks and parking on the FTE airport map.

Not driving? See other ways to get to and from FTE. Returning the car or picking someone up: parking at FTE.

Content written by German Giudici

Creator of the Aeropuertos del Mundo website network since 2007.