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Bariloche or Queenstown? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick Queenstown for the most organised adventure base in the Southern Hemisphere: bungy, jet boats, ski fields, great walks and wineries, all well run and easy to book. Pick Bariloche for Patagonian lakes and mountains at a lower cost, with chocolate shops, craft beer, lamb and a slower pace. Bariloche is clearly cheaper on our numbers: about €151 (US$170) a day mid-range against NZ$430 in Queenstown. They are on different continents, so most people choose one.
Bariloche: suits couples, families, friends and first-timers who want lakes, mountain walks, skiing and good food at lower cost.
Queenstown: suits couples, friends, first-timers and adventure-seekers who want bungy, jet boats, skiing and wine country.
Side by side
| Bariloche | Queenstown | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €151 US$170 local | €214 NZ$430 local |
| Budget day* | €62 | €77 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About €151 a day mid-range; good value | ●●●●●About NZ$430 a day mid-range; expensive |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Busy in January, July school holidays and ski season | ●●●●●Town centre busy year-round; trails and wineries spread visitors |
| Food | ●●●●●Patagonian lamb, trout, chocolate and craft beer | ●●●●●Lamb, venison, Pinot Noir, oysters and gourmet burgers |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Brewpubs and bars downtown; livelier in ski season | ●●●●●Lively bars for a small town, busy every night |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Lake beaches, chairlifts and easy walks | ●●●●●Gondola, luge, lake cruises and safe, organised activities |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Buses along the lake; a car helps for circuits | ●●●●●Compact town; buses, shuttles and organised tours |
| Best months | Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec | Jan, Feb |
| Warmest / coolest | Feb 23°C / Jul 5°C | Jan 22°C / Jun 7°C |
| Known for | Cerro Catedral, Llao Llao Hotel, Nahuel Huapi Lake, Cerro Campanario, Refugio Frey | The Remarkables, Kawarau Bridge, Skyline Gondola, TSS Earnslaw |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Bariloche and Queenstown day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Bariloche if…
- you want Patagonian lakes and mountains at lower cost
- you are combining it with Buenos Aires or Chilean Patagonia
- Chocolate, craft beer and lamb appeal
- you prefer a slower, less commercial base
Pick Queenstown if…
- Bungy, jet boats and organised adventure are the goal
- you want Milford Sound and Central Otago wineries
- you want everything easy to book and well run
- you are touring New Zealand's South Island
Weather month by month
| Month | Bariloche high / rainy days | Queenstown high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°C · 5 | 22°C · 9 |
| Feb | 23°C · 5 | 21°C · 9 |
| Mar | 19°C · 9 | 19°C · 10 |
| Apr | 14°C · 9 | 16°C · 11 |
| May | 9°C · 11 | 12°C · 14 |
| Jun | 6°C · 16 | 7°C · 13 |
| Jul | 5°C · 17 | 7°C · 14 |
| Aug | 6°C · 15 | 8°C · 15 |
| Sep | 9°C · 10 | 12°C · 15 |
| Oct | 13°C · 7 | 14°C · 13 |
| Nov | 17°C · 7 | 18°C · 14 |
| Dec | 21°C · 4 | 20°C · 16 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Bariloche
Patagonian lamb · Chocolate · Craft beer · Lake trout · Game and smoked meats · Cheese fondue
Where: Calle Mitre and Centro Cívico, Avenida Bustillo and the Circuito Chico, Colonia Suiza, Downtown side streets
Queenstown
Gourmet burger · Mince and cheese pie · Lamb and venison · Central Otago Pinot Noir · Blue cod and chips · Bluff oysters
Where: Queenstown town centre and lakefront, Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley, Frankton
Doing both in one trip
Only on a long trip: allow at least 3 weeks, with about 5 days in each plus travel
Combine them only on a long trip or round-the-world ticket; do Bariloche with Argentina and Chile, then fly across the Pacific to New Zealand.
Getting between them: No direct route: fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires or via Santiago, then across the Pacific to Auckland and on to Queenstown. Expect well over a day door to door. Check current schedules. Distance about 8,730 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1–5: Bariloche — Circuito Chico, Cerro Campanario, Llao Llao, a Refugio Frey hike
- Day 6–7: Fly via Buenos Aires or Santiago to Auckland, connect to Queenstown
- Day 8–9: Queenstown — Skyline Gondola, lakefront, Arrowtown
- Day 10: Milford Sound day trip
- Day 11–12: Gibbston Valley wineries, Kawarau Bridge, a lake cruise
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Common questions
Is Bariloche or Queenstown cheaper?
Bariloche, clearly. Our mid-range figure is about €151, or US$170, per person per day in Bariloche, against about NZ$430 in Queenstown, which works out noticeably higher. Accommodation and activities show the biggest gap: adventure activities in Queenstown are expensive. Argentina's prices change quickly with inflation and exchange rates, so check close to your trip.
Can I combine Bariloche and Queenstown in one trip?
Only on a long trip. They are about 8,700 km apart on different continents, with no direct flights. You would fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires or Santiago, cross the Pacific to Auckland, then connect to Queenstown, which takes well over a day. It makes sense on a round-the-world trip; for a normal holiday, choose one.
Which is better for skiing?
Both have good ski seasons, roughly July to September. Bariloche's Cerro Catedral is a large resort close to town, with lake views and lower prices. Queenstown has Coronet Peak and The Remarkables nearby and Cardrona further away, with very efficient lifts and services. Queenstown is easier to organise; Bariloche is better value.
When is the best time to visit Bariloche and Queenstown?
Both are in the Southern Hemisphere, so summer is December to March. Bariloche is best from December to March, with February highs around 23°C; Queenstown peaks in January and February at about 22°C. Winter brings skiing, with July around 5°C in Bariloche and June around 7°C in Queenstown. Autumn colours in April are lovely in both.