Argentina is a huge country, the eighth largest in the world, and there is plenty of it to explore. Getting around is relatively easy, with cars, trains, coaches, and planes all options. Here is a guide to what you need to know about getting around during your time in Argentina.
Explore Buenos Aires Upon Arrival
You are almost certain to land in Ezeiza Airport in Buenos Aires when you arrive in Argentina on your international flight. From here, you will need to take a taxi into the city, which is a journey of between 30 minutes and an hour. From here, you can start to plan your trip around the country, heading either north, south, or west depending on your itinerary.
Don’t forget to spend at least a couple of days in the city because there is plenty to see and do here. Visit the Casa Rosada, Argentina’s version of the White House; catch a tango show; enjoy a succulent steak in one of the city’s famous parrillas; spend some time in a café listening to the locals converse; and stroll along the colorful Caminito Street in La Boca.
Getting around in Buenos Aires is easy, but it can also be chaotic. The ‘Subte’ is the city’s Metro system, and you pay for a single journey each time you get on. Buses cost about the same, but they can get very busy at rush hour, and you can expect to be standing for most trips. Taxis are relatively cheap and plentiful, and you can flag one down pretty much anywhere. Alternatively, walking distances are not too large, and there are plenty of parks you can enjoy.
Plane or Coach: The Main Long-Distance Options
If you intend to see the main sights of Argentina, unless you rent a car you will have two main options for getting around: fly or take a long-distance coach.
Flying is the preferred option if time is short and you want to see a lot. Some of the main attractions in Argentina are long distances apart. For example, Iguazu Falls in the very north of Misiones is about 2,000 miles from Tierra del Fuego in the south. If you want to see both and you are only in Argentina for a couple of months, flights are by far the best option.
Cheap flights are not easy to come by like they are in the USA or Europe. Residents of the country actually pay less for their flights, so don’t expect tickets to come cheap. The main airlines operating internal flights are Aerolineas Argentinas and LAN, and you can book your flights at the company websites or any other flight-booking sites.
Once you travel by plane, the journey times are reduced to a few hours. For example, a flight from Buenos Aires to Bariloche in Patagonia is just over two hours, and a flight up to Misiones is under two hours.
The other option is to catch a long-distance coach from Retiro Station. This is obviously not the fastest form of travel (a coach journey from Buenos Aires to Mendoza will take about 12 hours), but you can travel in great comfort.
Pay slightly extra for a ‘semi-cama’ or ‘cama’ (half-bed or bed) and you will be treated to a comfortable reclining seat, a complimentary meal, and even a glass of wine on the journey.
Rent a Car
If you fancy exploring on your own, you can rent a car upon arrival. Either arrange this before you arrive or look out for somewhere to rent an ‘auto’, and you will be free to go off on your road trip. It is a good idea to find a company where you can rent the car in one place and drop it off in another to avoid having to make the long journey twice.
The highways are not in particularly good shape in some parts of Argentina, but the main routes between the big cities are generally fine. If you are in search of a real adventure, drive some or all of Ruta 40. This road stretches from the very north to the very south of the country. Some parts are only possible in a 4×4, so you may prefer to do a single stretch instead.
Discover the Best of Argentina
Argentina is a wonderful country to visit, and there is plenty to see here. Getting around should not cause you any problems, but consider planning your route in advance so that you can get on with your journey and enjoy seeing the country without having to do any further planning when you arrive.
Erik Hervas is a Marketing expert at Seminuevos.com, a company that publishes car listings in Mexico. We provide a friendly platform to help users sell their cars. And we bring buyers by promoting the listings through many channels. Erik has worked for many companies in marketing and he is currently seeking to succeed with Seminuevos.com. He graduated as Food Engineer in 2004 but after owning his business he decided to pursue a career in the Marketing field. He currently reside in Ecuador with his wife and two children.
