End of the World Train: Ushuaia's Prison Railway

The End of the World Train runs 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of downtown Ushuaia to the edge of Tierra del Fuego National Park, following the last stretch of track that prisoners from the old Ushuaia penitentiary used to haul timber. The ride takes about an hour each way, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes round trip with a photo stop, and runs three times daily at 9:30, 12:00 and 15:00. You ride in a heated carriage with panoramic windows and an individual audio guide in up to ten languages. Booking ahead matters: in summer (December through February) the morning departures sell out days in advance, and walk-up tickets at the station are a gamble.

The History Behind the Track

A railway built by prisoners

Ushuaia's prison opened in 1902 and became home to some of Argentina's most notorious inmates in the following decades. Guards sent work crews out by narrow-gauge rail to fell lenga and guindo beech in the surrounding valleys, and that timber heated the prison and built much of the town. The line closed with the prison in 1947, and a 1949 earthquake damaged much of what remained. The railway didn't run again for over four decades.

From ruins to heritage line

A 1994 restoration rebuilt the route as a heritage tourist railway under the name Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino, keeping the original 500mm gauge. Only the final 7 kilometers of the old convict line survive, but that's the stretch you ride today. Fixed steam locomotives like the Camila sit at the station for photographs; the working engines are diesel, which matters if you booked expecting smoke and coal.

Riding the Train: What to Expect

Classes, seats and onboard service

Four ticket tiers exist. Tourist Class is the standard carriage with heated interior, large windows and a personal audio guide. Premium Class adds onboard food service (Patagonian stews, empanadas, a vegetarian wrap) and separate boarding. VIP is a small dedicated carriage, and Charter books the whole train; both run on request only, so ask about fares directly. Most travelers do fine in Tourist — the windows are the same size and the scenery is identical.

The route and stops

The train leaves End of the World Station, 8 kilometers from town, and crosses the Pipo River valley into the park. Two stops break the journey: the burned bridge, a remnant of the old prison line, and Macarena Falls, where you step down for a short walk and photographs. The audio commentary covers the prison era and the Fuegian forest, and it's genuinely worth listening to rather than treating as background noise.

Is it worth the money?

Honest answer: it's a short ride for the price. Civitatis lists tickets around US$59, and the park entrance fee is separate — roughly 40,000 ARS for foreign adults, though fees change often, so confirm current rates with the operator. If you want maximum scenery per peso, hike the coastal trails instead. If you want the history and the novelty of riding the world's southernmost railway, the price is defensible. I'd rank it above the Beagle Channel boat on a rainy day and below it on a clear one.

Getting There and Visiting the Park

Transport from Ushuaia

The station sits on National Route 3, about 15 minutes by taxi or remise from the city center; there's no reliable public bus to the door, so arrange a shuttle through your hotel or a tour. Many visitors pair the train with a half-day park tour that includes pickup, the train ride and stops at Lapataia Bay and Roca Lake — total around 5 hours. That combination solves the awkward logistics of the park's one-way road system.

Season, weather and what to wear

Summer, November through March, brings 5 to 15°C and up to 17 hours of daylight; winter drops to between -5 and 5°C with snow on the peaks. Wind off the Beagle Channel is constant, and the train's open platforms are cold even in January. Waterproof shell, fleece mid-layer, hat and gloves — the station cafe sells coffee but not jackets. October and April are quieter and cheaper, with changeable weather and thinner crowds at the falls.

Combining with the national park

Tierra del Fuego National Park covers 63,000 hectares, and the train drops you near its eastern edge. From there, the Sendero Turba boardwalk and the Alakush visitor center (open roughly 10:00 to 17:30) are within easy reach. Stay on the wooden walkways across the peat bogs — rangers enforce this, and a single footprint in the moss can take years to recover. If you're continuing independently, arrange your pickup time before boarding; the park has no regular transport back to town.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the End of the World Train ride?

About 1 hour each way, or 1 hour 45 minutes for the full round trip including the Macarena Falls stop. Departures are at 9:30, 12:00 and 15:00 daily, with reduced schedules from May to August.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Yes, especially for the 9:30 departure between December and February. Book online through the operator or a platform like Civitatis (free cancellation up to 24 hours before), and buy your national park entrance separately.

Is the national park entrance included in the train ticket?

No. Foreign adults pay around 40,000 ARS for park admission, Argentine adults roughly 18,000 ARS, and the train ticket covers only the ride. If you join a guided tour, check whether the park fee is bundled in.

Can I visit the park without the train?

Yes. Tours run to Lapataia Bay and Roca Lake without the railway, and hikers can take a shuttle to the park entrance and walk the coastal trails. The train is an add-on for history and convenience, not the only way in.