End of the World Train vs a Penguin Tour in Ushuaia

When can you see penguins in Ushuaia?

The penguins are on Martillo Island roughly from October to April. In that period you can see:

• Magellanic penguins
• Gentoo penguins
• occasionally a King penguin

Treat a King penguin as a bonus, not something to expect. The boat trips themselves run a little shorter than the penguins’ stay: the listings we checked sail from about mid-October to the end of March, and the walk on the island we found on Viator runs from 15 October to 15 March. Check the exact operator schedule for your travel date, especially at either end of the season.

What is the End of the World Train like?

The End of the World Train is a heritage railway just outside Ushuaia, running on part of the corridor of the old prison railway. On the ride you pass:

• the Pipo River valley
• forest
• peat bog
• mountain scenery
• the Macarena waterfall

The train works especially well combined with Tierra del Fuego National Park. It is not a wildlife trip. Our route guide describes the line stop by stop.

What is a penguin tour like?

Penguin trips vary much more than train tours. Some sail all the way from Ushuaia along the Beagle Channel, past the sea lion and bird islands. Others involve:

• a road transfer east toward Puerto Almanza or Estancia Harberton
• a shorter boat ride in the eastern Beagle Channel
• a visit to Martillo Island

The difference that matters most is whether you land. Only some trips include a walk among the penguins at the colony; most stay on the boat and watch from a few meters offshore. Do not assume a trip called a “penguin tour” includes a landing.

The landing is run by Piratour, the operator with access to the island, and the walk lasts about an hour. According to Piratour’s listing with Ushuaia’s tourism office, it sells three formats:

• a navigation from Ushuaia with a walk on the island, departing at 9:30, 15:30 and 18:00
• a bus to Estancia Harberton and a short boat crossing for the walk, about six hours in total, departing at 14:00 from the commercial pier
• a navigation to the colony without landing, about five hours, departing at 9:00 and 15:00

You can book these directly with Piratour through Ushuaia’s tourism office listing. GetYourGuide does not sell the walk. On Viator, the Martillo Island and Walk Among Penguins Full-Day Tour combines a Beagle Channel navigation, Estancia Harberton and the one-hour walk in about eight hours, from $494 per person, rated 4.7 from 53 reviews. It is a reseller’s package, so booking Piratour directly usually costs less.

Which has better wildlife?

The penguin tour, by a wide margin. Wildlife is the whole reason to go. Depending on the trip, you may see:

• Magellanic penguins
• Gentoo penguins
• sea lions
• cormorants
• other seabirds
• other marine wildlife

On the train you may spot a bird along the river, but that is incidental. If animals are your priority, choose the penguins.

Which is better for history?

The End of the World Train. Its story connects directly with:

• Ushuaia’s former prison
• the prisoners’ labor
• the old railway
• how the settlement grew

The penguin tour is about nature and wildlife. Our history guide tells the railway’s story.

Which has better scenery?

That depends on what you like.

Train scenery

• forest
• mountains
• the river valley
• peat bog
• snow in winter

Penguin-tour scenery

• the Beagle Channel
• islands
• coastline
• open water
• mountains
• the penguin colony

For wide sea views, the penguin tour is stronger. For forest and mountains close up, the train has the edge.

Which takes longer?

The penguin tour, by several hours.

End of the World Train

The round trip takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, plus the drive to the station, which is about 8 km from central Ushuaia, and a 45-minute check-in before departure.

Penguin tour

Penguin trips take most of a day:

• about five hours for Piratour’s navigation without landing, and about 5.5 hours for the catamaran on GetYourGuide
• about six hours for Piratour’s Harberton trip with the walk, and for trips that start with a drive to Puerto Almanza
• about eight hours for the full-day package with a navigation and the walk

Which is better if you only have half a day?

The train. A short railway outing fits a half-day much more easily. Even the shortest penguin trips take about five hours, so check the actual duration before you build a day around one.

Which is better for families?

Both can be excellent.

Train advantages

• shorter
• heated carriages
• little walking
• no seasickness
• easier with toddlers

Penguin-tour advantages

• animals
• more exciting for children who love wildlife
• a strong “wow” moment

For very young children, the train is usually easier. For school-age children who love animals, the penguins may be the highlight of the trip. Our guide to the train with kids has more on traveling with children.

Which is better for older travelers?

The train is usually easier on the body. A penguin trip can involve:

• longer transfers
• climbing in and out of boats
• uneven ground
• wind
• more hours away from Ushuaia

If your mobility is limited, check the exact format before you book. A trip that stays on the boat is easier than one with a walk on the island.

Which is better in bad weather?

The train is usually more comfortable. The carriages are heated and you spend most of the ride inside. Penguin trips are more exposed to:

• wind
• rough water
• rain
• cold
• poor visibility

Operators can also change or cancel boat trips when the channel is too rough.

Which is better in winter?

The train. The penguins have left Martillo Island by winter, and the railway is at its most atmospheric in snow. If you visit Ushuaia in June, July or August, the comparison mostly disappears: the train runs, and the penguin season does not. Our winter guide covers the ride in snow.

Which is better in summer?

If penguins are a priority, summer is the time to book them, and you can do both. A good two-day plan is:

Day 1: End of the World Train + Tierra del Fuego National Park

Day 2: Penguin tour

That gives you both the land and the sea sides of Ushuaia. Our one-day Ushuaia itinerary with the train plans day 1 hour by hour.

Which is more unique?

Both are distinctive, in different ways. The End of the World Train is tied to Ushuaia’s penal history; the penguins are tied to the season on Martillo Island. If you will see penguins elsewhere on your trip, the railway may feel more specific to Ushuaia. If this is your only realistic chance to see penguins, they are much harder to replace.

Which is better for photography?

Train

Best for:

• the heritage locomotive
• snowy rails
• forest
• the station
• a mountain backdrop

Penguin tour

Best for:

• penguins
• wildlife behavior
• Beagle Channel landscapes
• birds
• the sea

For wildlife photos, the penguin tour wins easily. For railway atmosphere, choose the train.

Which is more weather-sensitive?

The penguin tour. Boat trips depend much more on:

• wind
• waves
• sailing conditions

The train is the more dependable choice when the weather changes. With several days in Ushuaia:

• use the calmest day for the penguin tour
• keep the train for the more changeable day

Which is more expensive?

The penguin trip, usually. It can involve:

• a long road transfer
• a boat transfer
• a specialist guide
• access to the island
• most of a day of logistics

The train costs more once you add transport, a guide and the park fee. Even then it costs less than the penguins. A Turista train ticket costs ARS 80,000 per adult from October 2026 to March 2027, and the national park entry fee for foreign visitors is ARS 40,000. A guided national park tour with the train, such as the Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour, Train Optional, cost $124 for 8 October 2026, rated 4.8 from 505 reviews. Penguin trips start around $115 for a boat that stays offshore and reach about $494 for a full-day package with the walk.

Which is better value?

That depends on what you care about.

Train gives better value if:

• history interests you
• you want a shorter activity
• you are already visiting the national park
• you prefer easy sightseeing

Penguin tour gives better value if:

• wildlife is a major reason for your trip
• this may be your only chance to see penguins
• you are visiting in season
• you are happy to give most of a day to it

Can you do both in one day?

Only with certain schedules, and it is rarely a good idea. A penguin trip takes five to eight hours, and a train and national park tour takes four and a half to six hours. Together they make a very long, tightly timed day. If you have two days, split them; with one, choose by your priorities. The National Park, End of the World Train & Beagle Channel Day lists a longer five-hour boat option that visits the penguin colony, which makes the day even longer than its standard 8.5 hours.

Which should cruise passengers choose?

That depends on the port call.

Train

Advantages:

• close to Ushuaia
• shorter
• easier to fit into limited time
• less risk of missing the ship

Penguin tour

Advantages:

• a much stronger wildlife experience
• only possible in season
• likely the more memorable day if animals are your priority

For a short call, the train is easier. For a long call in penguin season, a penguin trip can be the better use of the day, as long as it returns well before all-aboard. Our guide for cruise passengers has the port-day timings.

Which should you choose if this is your only visit to Ushuaia?

Ask yourself one question:

Would you regret missing the penguins more than missing the train?

If yes, book the penguin tour. If not, choose the train with the national park. The train fits more easily into a wider Ushuaia plan and gives you more local history; the penguins are seasonal and harder to see anywhere else.

Best choice by traveler type

Wildlife lover

Penguin tour

History lover

End of the World Train

Railway enthusiast

End of the World Train

Family with toddlers

Train

Family with animal-loving children

Penguin tour

Photographer

Penguin tour for wildlife; train for atmosphere

Winter visitor

Train

Summer visitor with two days

Do both

Frequently asked questions

Can you see penguins year-round in Ushuaia?

No. Penguins are on Martillo Island roughly from October to April, and most boat trips run from about mid-October to the end of March.

Does the End of the World Train run year-round?

Yes, with a slightly different timetable from May to August.

Which tour is longer?

The penguin tour. Penguin trips take five to eight hours; the train round trip takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Can you walk among the penguins?

Yes, on a trip that lands on Martillo Island, run by Piratour, with about an hour on the island. Many penguin boats, including the GetYourGuide catamaran, stay offshore.

Which is better for children?

The train is easier for very young children; penguins may be more exciting for older children.

Which is better for wildlife?

The penguin tour.

Which is better for history?

The train.

Can you do both?

Yes, ideally on separate days.

The bottom line

Choose the End of the World Train if you want:

• Ushuaia’s history
• a heritage railway
• Tierra del Fuego National Park
• a shorter, easier excursion
• something you can do in any month

Choose the penguin tour if you want:

• wildlife
• Magellanic and Gentoo penguins
• a trip you can only take in season
• sea views
• a longer excursion

If you visit between October and April and penguins are high on your list, book them first, and decide whether you want to land on the island or watch from the boat before you compare prices. If you have time, do both: the train shows Ushuaia’s history on land, and the penguin trip shows the wildlife of the Beagle Channel. Our End of the World Train versus a Beagle Channel cruise comparison covers the standard three-hour cruise, which does not reach the penguins.