The End of the World Train with Kids

What do children pay?

The railway’s own fares for October 2026 to March 2027, Turista class:

An infant rides free but still has to be added to the online purchase. The railway does not refund mistakes in the fare category, so enter each child’s age correctly when you book. Fares are the same for foreign visitors and Argentines.

The national park fee is separate and applies to every rider, even on a round trip where you never leave the train: ARS 40,000 for each foreign visitor, free for children up to 6. So the age bands differ. A 5-year-old pays half on the train and nothing at the park gate, while an 8-year-old pays half on the train and the full park fee.

For two adults with children aged 8 and 10, a Turista round trip comes to ARS 240,000 in train fares plus ARS 160,000 in park fees. With children aged 3 and 5, it is ARS 200,000 plus ARS 80,000. Transport to the station, about 8 km from the centre, is extra unless you book a tour. Every fare and class is in our tickets and prices guide.

What age is the train best for?

There is no single ideal age, and each band enjoys something different.

Toddlers

Toddlers enjoy the movement and the views but not the history. In their favour: little walking, a heated carriage, a short ride and seats where you can keep everyone close. The hard part is the 45-minute check-in window and boarding. Seats are not numbered, but staff seat each family group together.

Ages 4–8

This is often the best age. Children at this stage get a lot from:

• the locomotive and carriages
• the forest
• the Macarena waterfall
• snow in winter
• the idea of a train at the end of the world

They will not follow every detail of the prison story, but the ride itself is easy to understand.

Ages 9–12

Older children can follow the history. You can talk them through:

• why Ushuaia had a prison
• how prisoners worked in the forest
• why the railway was built
• how today’s train differs from the original

That turns a pleasant ride into a story they can repeat. Our history of the End of the World Train has the background.

Teenagers

Teenagers either find the prison story interesting or decide the train is too touristy. Pair it with something more active so the day does not hinge on it:

• Tierra del Fuego National Park and its short trails
• photography
• a hike
• a Beagle Channel cruise
• another active Ushuaia trip

How long will children be on the train?

Not long. The round trip takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, and that covers:

• boarding
• the ride out
• the stop at La Macarena
• the ride back

On a park tour, children ride one way, about an hour, and then move to the vehicle. Either way, it is much easier on children than a long-distance scenic railway. Departure times and the check-in rule are in our End of the World Train schedule.

Is there a stop where kids can get off?

Yes. The train stops at La Macarena for about 20 minutes, and passengers get off. Children can:

• stretch their legs
• see the waterfall
• take photos
• look out over the valley
• take a break from sitting

There is no playground, and the train leaves on time, so keep small children close on the path. Each stop is described in our stations and stops guide.

Is the train better than a national park tour for kids?

That depends on the child.

The train may suit your child better if they:

• love vehicles
• struggle with long walks
• need a clear activity to follow
• like novelty
• are younger

The park may suit your child better if they:

• like nature
• enjoy walking
• want space to move around
• get restless when seated
• are older and more active

For many families, the strongest choice is a park tour that includes the train. The train gives younger children the novelty, and the park stops give everyone room to move. Our train vs national park comparison goes through the trade-off for adults too.

Is a combined tour too long for children?

Combined tours run about five hours, and most children manage that. A typical day includes:

• hotel pickup
• the drive to the station
• an hour on the train
• several park stops, usually including Lago Acigami and Lapataia Bay
• short walks
• the drive back to Ushuaia

The switch between train, vehicle and outdoor stops helps younger children, because they are not doing the same thing for five hours. For toddlers who nap at fixed times, a train-only round trip at the right departure can be easier.

Is the train stroller-friendly?

No. The railway states that the carriages have no space for luggage or strollers, so you cannot take one on board. Plan for that before you leave your hotel:

• bring a baby carrier for the train and the Macarena stop
• on a tour, leave the stroller in the vehicle
• with a rental car, leave it in the car
• arriving by taxi, leave it at your hotel, because the station has no storage for it

A carrier is also easier on the park’s short trails, where paths can be uneven, muddy or snowy. Our guide on how to get to the End of the World Train covers the ways to reach the station.

Can you bring a baby?

Yes. Babies under 4 ride free, as long as they are included in the booking, and the ride is gentle. The things to plan for are:

• feeding
• nappies
• warm layers
• carrying everything without a stroller
• the wait at check-in
• limited space on board

Bring what you need for the whole outing. Do not count on buying baby supplies once you are at the station.

Are there toilets?

There are no toilets on the train. The railway has toilets at the main station, Estación del Fin del Mundo, and at Estación Parque Nacional at the far end of the line. Take young children to the toilet before you board. On a combined tour, ask the guide when the next stop with toilets comes up.

Is the train warm in winter?

Yes. The carriages are heated, which makes the train an easier winter outing with children than a hike. You still need proper winter clothing for:

• the station and the platform
• getting on and off
• the Macarena stop
• park viewpoints on a tour
• transfers

Dress children in layers they can take off on board. Our End of the World Train in winter guide covers snow, daylight and what closes.

What should kids wear?

Ushuaia weather can change within the hour. Pack:

• a waterproof jacket
• a warm mid layer
• comfortable trousers
• good walking shoes
• a hat
• gloves
• spare socks
• sunglasses

In winter, add:

• an insulated jacket
• a thermal base layer
• waterproof boots
• warmer gloves

Even in summer, do not expect it to feel warm.

Is the history too dark for children?

The railway’s story involves Ushuaia’s former prison and prisoner labour. Younger children do not need the harsh details. A simple version works:

Ushuaia once had a prison. Prisoners were taken into the forest by train to collect wood, and today’s train follows part of that old route.

Older children can go further, and the audio guide gives the context without turning the ride into a museum visit. The former prison in town, now the Maritime Museum, is the place to take an interested older child afterwards.

Will children understand the audio guide?

Older children may. The audio guide runs in ten languages, but younger children will not follow all of it, and they do not need to. For them, the draw is:

• the train itself
• the scenery
• the movement
• the stop
• snow or forest

Is Premium Class worth it with children?

Usually not. Turista already gives you:

• a heated carriage
• large windows
• the same route
• the audio guide

Premium adds priority boarding, a heated Premium carriage, a meal (breakfast on the 9:30 departure, lunch on the later ones), at most one alcoholic drink with lunch, souvenirs and a photo with costumed actors. A child’s Premium fare is ARS 125,000 against ARS 40,000 in Turista, and an infant who rides free gets no Premium meal.

For two adults and two children aged 4 to 12, Turista costs ARS 240,000 and Premium ARS 750,000. Unless the trip is a special occasion, Turista is the better buy for a family. If you do want Premium with a tour, the End of the World Train & National Park, Tourist or Premium lets you choose the class, though it has the lowest rating of the main train tours, 3.9 from 114 reviews. Our Premium class guide lists what you get.

Is the train expensive for families?

It can be. Every extra rider adds a train fare, and riders over 6 add a park fee, so for a family of four it can become one of the larger costs of the trip. Ask yourself one question: will the children care enough about the railway to justify it?

If yes, the train can become the highlight of the day. If not, you can still see Tierra del Fuego National Park without it on a tour where the train is optional.

Best family option: train only or combined tour?

Choose the train only if:

• your children are very young
• you want a shorter outing
• you have your own transport
• you already plan to visit the park separately
• the train is the main attraction

The End of the World Train Tickets, Turista Class sold by the railway costs from $50 per adult, with a 4.8 rating from 20 reviews, a small sample so far. Transport and the park fee are extra.

Choose a combined train and park tour if:

• this is your first visit
• your children can manage a five-hour outing
• you do not want to arrange transfers
• you want more variety
• you have limited time in Ushuaia

The Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour costs from $52, or $124 with the train on 8 October 2026, and takes you back to your accommodation (4.8 from 505 reviews). The National Park & End of the World Train Tour costs the same with the train and has the most reviews, 4.5 from 1,212, but finishes in the city centre. Book the first if door-to-door pickup matters with tired children; the second if you want the most-reviewed tour. Enter each child’s age on the booking page to see your family’s total.

For a family that wants its own pace, the Private Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour (4.9 from 57 reviews) costs $450 for one traveller on 8 October 2026, with the total for a larger party shown once you enter your group size; the train ticket is bought on the day. Our guide to which End of the World Train tour is right for you compares every option.

Should you book the morning train?

Morning usually works best with children if you also want to see the park:

• children are less tired
• more daylight remains for the park
• lunch fits in afterwards
• you have room to adjust if the weather turns
• in winter, you finish the park before dark

If your children do better after a slow morning, the midday departure is the alternative.

What should you bring?

For a family visit, pack:

• water
• simple snacks, which are allowed on board (mate is the only hot drink allowed)
• warm layers
• waterproofs
• tissues and wipes
• any medication
• a small toy or game for the wait
• a phone or camera
• a portable charger
• sun protection
• spare socks for younger children

Keep the bag small. The carriages have no luggage space.

Is there food on board?

Food depends on the class. Turista is the ride without a meal, and Premium includes breakfast or lunch, depending on the departure. Families in Turista should plan meals around the ride, and if a child pays a Premium fare, the meal comes with it.

Can children get bored?

Yes, especially children who do not like trains. The train runs slowly, and the return leg of a round trip covers the same corridor. That is why a one-way ride as part of a park tour often suits families better than a simple out-and-back. After the train, children move to a vehicle, stop at viewpoints and walk outside, and the change keeps them going.

Is the End of the World Train worth it for families?

It is more likely to be worth it if:

• one or more of your children love trains
• you are visiting in snow
• you are already seeing Tierra del Fuego National Park
• your family prefers easy sightseeing
• this may be your only trip to Ushuaia

It is less likely to be worth it if:

• your children dislike sitting still
• your budget is tight
• your children much prefer hiking or wildlife
• you already have several expensive Ushuaia trips booked

Our is the End of the World Train worth it guide weighs it for adults.

Train vs Beagle Channel cruise for kids

Both can suit a family.

Train advantages

• shorter
• heated carriage
• no seasickness
• easy to move around
• strong pull for children who love trains

Cruise advantages

• sea lions and seabirds
• boats
• sea views
• islands
• the lighthouse

Children who love animals may prefer the cruise; children who love vehicles, the train. The Beagle Channel Catamaran Cruise Past Sea Lions costs from $66 for three hours from the tourist pier, with a heated boat, toilets on board and a 4.6 rating from 602 reviews. Our End of the World Train versus a Beagle Channel cruise comparison goes through the choice.

Train vs penguin tour for kids

If penguin trips are running on your dates, many children will find penguins more exciting than a train. The trade-off is time and money: the Catamaran Sail to View Penguins at Martillo Island takes about 5.5 hours and costs from $115 per person (4.5 from 572 reviews), and you watch the penguins from the boat, without landing. The train round trip takes 1 hour 45 minutes, costs ARS 40,000 for a child and runs all year. Our full train versus penguin tour comparison covers the walk on the island and the other formats.

Train vs hiking with kids

The train is easier. Hiking suits active families more but depends much more on:

• weather
• your children’s stamina
• trail conditions
• footwear

The train gives you something predictable on a day when the children are not keen to walk. For an active family with older children, the Tierra del Fuego National Park Trekking & Canoeing tour (4.7 from 78 reviews, from $184) swaps the train for a hike and a paddle; check its minimum age before you book.

A family itinerary for half a day

A good half-day plan:

hotel pickup → End of the World Train → Tierra del Fuego National Park → Lago Acigami → Lapataia Bay → return to Ushuaia

That gives children a ride, a bit of history, scenery and short outdoor stops without a long hike, and it is the itinerary most combined park and train tours follow.

Frequently asked questions

Is the End of the World Train suitable for toddlers?

Yes. The ride is short and the carriages are heated. Under-4s ride free but must be included in the booking, and you will need a carrier, because strollers are not allowed on board.

Is it good for school-age children?

Yes. Ages 4 to 12 are probably the best fit, because they enjoy the train and can follow some of the history. They pay the half fare, ARS 40,000 in Turista from October 2026 to March 2027.

Is the train too long for kids?

Usually not. The round trip takes about 1 hour 45 minutes with a 20-minute stop, and on a park tour children ride for about an hour.

Can you take a stroller?

No. The carriages have no space for strollers or luggage. Bring a baby carrier and leave the stroller in the tour vehicle or your car.

Are there toilets on the train?

No. The toilets are at Estación del Fin del Mundo and Estación Parque Nacional, so use them before boarding.

Are the carriages heated?

Yes.

Is Premium worth it for families?

Usually not. A child’s Premium fare is ARS 125,000 against ARS 40,000 in Turista, for the same route.

Should families book the park too?

For most first-time visitors, yes. A park tour with the train gives children more variety than an out-and-back ride.

The bottom line

The End of the World Train is a good family outing, especially for children who like trains or for families who want to see Tierra del Fuego without a hard hike. Its strengths:

• a short ride
• heated carriages
• a memorable setting
• little physical effort
• an easy pairing with the national park

The drawbacks are cost, the no-stroller rule, the lack of toilets on board, and the chance that children who do not care about trains lose interest on the way back.

For most families with school-age children, I would book a park tour that includes the train over a simple round trip. Children get the novelty of the train without spending the whole outing in a carriage, and the park gives the day enough variety to keep everyone moving. Check the departure time and your children’s fare category before you pay, because the railway does not refund category errors.