The End of the World Train in Autumn, March to May

Is autumn a good time to ride the End of the World Train?

Yes. For many travelers it is one of the most balanced seasons. The train runs every day, the national park stays open, and the forest has more color than at any other time of year.

Autumn suits you if you want:

• foliage
• photography
• fewer people than in peak summer
• cooler conditions
• a quieter atmosphere

What months count as autumn in Ushuaia?

Autumn in Ushuaia runs through:

• March
• April
• May

The season changes quickly across those three months. March can still feel mild and close to summer, with a mean high of 12.2 °C. April is usually the best month for autumn color. May moves toward winter, with mean highs under 7 °C and the winter timetable from the first of the month.

Is March a good month?

Yes. March is the easiest autumn month.

• daylight falls from about 13 h 40 min at the start of the month to about 11 h 30 min at the end
• the park is open until 20:00
• the first leaves start to turn
• the roads are usually clear
• snow falls on about 1 day in the month

That makes March a good fit for a combined train and park day, and any of the three departures works. Choose it if you want a little autumn color without giving up much daylight.

Is April a good month?

Yes, and for photography it is often the best of the three. In April you can expect:

• stronger forest color
• cooler days, with a mean high of 9.4 °C
• fewer summer visitors
• lower, softer light

The trade-off is a shorter day, about 10 hours 25 minutes of daylight by mid-April, and more variable weather. The park also moves to its shorter hours, 9:00 to 18:00, from April. If foliage is the reason you are going, look at April first.

Is May a good month?

Yes, but May feels much closer to winter. You may get:

• colder weather, with a mean high of 6.9 °C
• early snow, on about 5 days in the month
• days that shrink from about 9 h 20 min to about 7 h 35 min
• icy patches on roads and paths
• fewer hours for the national park

The trains move to the winter timetable on 1 May, with departures at 9:45, 12:15 and 15:00. May can be atmospheric, but it is the least predictable of the three. Choose it if you like the slide into winter more than classic autumn foliage.

What does the route look like in autumn?

The forest changes most. As the lenga and ñire trees turn, color builds up around:

• the Pipo River valley
• the tracks themselves
• the mountain foothills
• the forested stretches of the line

The steam locomotive and its carriages stand out well against the red and gold. The line itself is unchanged: 7 km from the station outside Ushuaia to Estación Parque Nacional, with one stop at La Macarena. Our route guide covers each stop.

When are the best autumn colors?

The timing varies from year to year, and a warm or a cold season can move it by a week or more. As a general rule, late March into April gives you the most color.

If foliage is your main reason to go, check recent photos from Ushuaia shortly before your trip, and do not count on one fixed date.

Is autumn quieter than summer?

Usually, yes. Ushuaia’s busiest months are December to February, which hold about 62% of the cruise season’s ship movements, and visitor numbers ease after February.

That can mean:

• less crowded trains
• calmer viewpoints
• quieter stops in the national park

If you dislike peak-season crowds, autumn is a good choice. Ships still call until about April, so a March day with a large ship in port can still be busy.

Which autumn departure is best?

The earlier departures become more useful as the days shorten.

March

Morning, midday and afternoon can all work. The park is open until 20:00, so even the 15:00 train, back at about 16:45, leaves time for the park afterward.

April

Take the morning train if you also want the park. It closes at 18:00 from April, and the 15:00 train is back with little more than an hour to spare.

May

Choose the 9:45 where you can. Days are short and the park still closes at 18:00.

Can you combine the train with Tierra del Fuego National Park in autumn?

Yes. The train and the park together are still one of the best ways to see the area. A combined day can include:

• the End of the World Train
• Lake Acigami (Lago Roca)
• Lapataia Bay
• Ensenada Zaratiegui, in March and April
• short walks
• scenic viewpoints

Early autumn is easier to plan. The Senda Costera, Pampa Alta, Hito XXIV and Cerro Guanaco trails are open from November to April only, so March and April still give you the longer walks. By May those trails are closed, and the national parks service closes access to Ensenada Zaratiegui for the winter season, so allow for a shorter park day and leave time for weather and road conditions.

A combined tour sorts out the hotel pickup, the train timing and the park stops for you. The Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour, Train Optional is rated 4.8 from 505 reviews; it starts at $52 without the train, and cost $124 with the train for 8 October 2026 (our breakdown →). The National Park & End of the World Train Tour is the most reviewed alternative, from $50 and rated 4.5 from 1,212 reviews; pick the train option when you book. If you would rather plan the day yourself, the operator’s End of the World Train Tickets, Turista Class start at $50 (4.8 from 20 reviews, a short track record so far). Our guide to which End of the World Train tour is right for you compares every option.

Is autumn good for photography?

Yes, it is very good for photography. Autumn gives you:

• foliage
• softer light
• a lower sun at midday than in summer
• dramatic weather
• fewer people in the frame

The main risk is cloud or rain hiding the mountains. If photos matter, leave a spare day in your plans so you can ride on the clearest one.

What should you wear?

Dress in layers. Bring:

• a waterproof jacket
• a warm mid-layer
• long trousers
• comfortable waterproof shoes
• a hat
• gloves, later in the season

By May you may need full winter clothing. The carriages are heated, but the stops at La Macarena and the park station are outdoors.

Is there snow in autumn?

Possibly. Ushuaia averages about 1 day with snowfall in March, about 4 in April and about 5 in May.

• March is unlikely to have lasting snow around the railway.
• April can bring colder spells.
• May has a much better chance of early winter conditions.

Snow is never guaranteed, but the season can turn quickly. If snow is what you want, our winter guide covers June to August.

Autumn vs summer

Autumn advantages

• forest color
• fewer people
• cooler days
• more atmosphere

Summer advantages

• longer daylight, up to about 17 hours in late December
• the park open until 21:00
• easier road conditions
• simpler to combine with other activities
• warmer temperatures

Choose autumn for atmosphere and color, and summer if you want the most flexibility. Our summer guide plans a December to February day.

Autumn vs winter

Autumn advantages

• easier logistics
• more daylight
• foliage
• less cold

Winter advantages

• the best chance of snow, on about 9 to 11 days a month
• the strongest railway atmosphere
• white landscapes

Autumn is the easier trip. Winter is the better choice if snow is the whole point.

Is autumn good for families?

Yes. March and April work well because:

• crowds are lower
• temperatures are manageable
• the train ride is easy for children
• the park is still practical, with its longer trails open

May needs warmer clothing and more flexibility over the weather. Our guide to the train with kids covers the ride itself.

Is autumn good for cruise passengers?

Yes. Ships call in Ushuaia from about September to April, so March and April port days are common. The planning is the same as in any season:

• when the ship arrives
• which train you take
• how you get to the station
• the all-aboard time

The shorter afternoons later in autumn make an early train more useful. Our cruise port-day guide works through the timings.

If you are in port in March or April, Magellanic penguins are still on Martillo Island; they breed there between October and April. The Catamaran Sail to View Penguins at Martillo Island takes about 5.5 hours from $115 and is rated 4.5 from 572 reviews, so it rarely fits on the same day as the train. Our train vs penguin tour guide helps you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Is March a good time for the End of the World Train?

Yes. It combines long days, about 12 hours 40 minutes of daylight in mid-March, with the start of the autumn color, and the park stays open until 20:00.

Is April better?

April often has stronger foliage and fewer visitors, but the weather is less predictable and the park closes at 18:00.

Is May too late?

No, but May feels closer to winter. The trains switch to the 9:45, 12:15 and 15:00 timetable, and colder, snowier days are more likely.

Is autumn crowded?

Generally less than peak summer, although cruise ships still call until about April.

Is autumn better than winter?

For easier logistics and foliage, yes. For snow, no.

Can you still visit Tierra del Fuego National Park?

Yes, all autumn. In March and April the longer trails are open; in May they close for the winter season, so plan a shorter visit and keep an eye on the weather.

The bottom line

Autumn suits travelers who want the End of the World Train to feel atmospheric without the full difficulty of winter.

Choose:

• March for easier conditions and longer daylight
• April for the best chance of autumn color
• May for a colder slide toward winter

If you want colorful forest, fewer people and moody Tierra del Fuego weather on your ride, autumn is a very good choice. Travelling in the other shoulder season instead? Our spring guide covers September to November. For fares and classes, see the tickets and prices guide.