Traveling in Argentina

Airplane: The national airline Aerolinas Argentinas / Austral has most of the domestic flights but is no better than other airlines. The airline is now known for its delays, so you should not use an Aerolíneas Argentinas flight if you want to fly on with connecting flights. Aerolíneas also operates a two-tier pricing system: only Argentines can buy the cheapest tickets. Other airlines with domestic flights from Argentina are LanChile, Líneas Aéreas del Estado and AirPampas. Domestic airlines open and close relatively often (for example, Southern Winds and American Falcon no longer fly), so it is always worth researching current airlines and routes in Argentina. Visit handbagpicks for Argentina Tour Plan.

Foreigners who have flown to Argentina with Aerolinas can use the company’s cheaper flights in the country. However, you must have purchased these tickets outside of Argentina.

Almost all domestic flights go through Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport, near downtown Buenos Aires. Flying with certain airlines can be comparable or even cheaper on certain flights than the same route by bus. However, the demand is very high and the destinations, especially in Patagonia in summer, are often booked out well in advance.

Ship: The opportunities to travel by ship or boat on the rivers of Argentina are limited. However, there are regular international ferry connections to Uruguay and Chile. In the southern part of the country, near Ushuaia, trips with sailing ships are offered on the Beagle Channel in Tierra del Fuego.

In Tigre, a suburb of Buenos Aires, numerous boat trips are offered in the mouth of the Río de la Plata.

Train: Despite significant cuts in long-distance traffic, trains from Buenos Aires to the suburbs and some neighboring provinces continue to run. A longer train connection runs between Buenos Aires and the cities of Posadas and Córdoba. During the holiday periods and on public holidays, you should buy the train tickets in advance. Prices for train journeys are usually lower than for comparable bus journeys, but the trains are slower, they run less often and there are fewer routes.

Train fans will want to take the La Trochita narrow-gauge railway that connects Esquel to El Maiten. Another well-known route is the spectacular Tren a las Nubes (Train in the Clouds), but it is very sporadic. The Tren Patagonico runs the scenic route along the Atlantic coast of Bariloche with Viedma.

Reservations

Bus tickets often do not need to be purchased in advance unless you are traveling between major cities on a Friday. During the holidays, like late December, January, July, and August, tickets sell quickly so it’s best to reserve in advance.

Car and motorcycle : Since Argentina is so big, many regions can practically only be traveled by private vehicle despite the good public transport. This is especially true in Patagonia, where distances are great and buses are rare. A big advantage of having your own vehicles is that you can stop wherever you want for photos or bush camps.

Although motorcycles are quite popular for traveling to Argentina, the prices are high and there are no motorcycle rentals in the country.

Driver’s license and documents

Officially, you should have an international driver’s license with you with your national driver’s license. Your registration, insurance and tax documents can be checked at police stops. Except in Buenos Aires, there are few security issues.

Argentine vehicle drivers must have the Tarjeta Verde or “green card” with them. For foreign vehicles, the Tarjeta Verde can be replaced by the customs permit. Liability insurance is compulsory; proof of insurance is often asked at checkpoints.
The insurance is relatively inexpensive. Cheap liability insurance for a car valued at $ 20,000 costs around AR $ 250 a month. Older, lower-value vehicles are of course cheaper. If you plan to drive your car in neighboring countries, make sure that the liability insurance is valid there as well, this costs extra. Among reputable insurers in Argentina are Mapfre

Buy a vehicle

If you are in Argentina for several months, buying a car is worth considering. If you resell the car at the end of your stay, the car purchase can be even cheaper. On the other hand, there is a risk of breakdown with all used cars, especially on the slopes in Patagonia, a breakdown can be a real problem.

As a foreigner, you can buy a vehicle in Argentina, but theoretically you are not allowed to take it out of the country without a notarized permit, which is almost impossible to obtain. Reliable used cars rarely cost less than AR $ 10,000.

A rental carin Argentina it allows them to get where buses no longer go. The best offers can almost always be found at local agencies and not at the large international car rental companies. To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license and credit card. The international driver’s license is rarely required.

Bus:If you travel longer in Argentina, you will almost inevitably use the excellent bus network that covers almost all regions. The buses are fast and comfortable. Most Argentines travel by bus. Larger luggage is transported in the lower stowage space of the buses, security is generally good (especially in the first-class buses). If you travel a longer distance, night buses save one night in the hotel.
Hundreds of bus companies operate in the various regions of Argentina, with some larger companies serving the long-haul routes.

Most cities and towns have a central bus station, where each bus company has its own ticket office. There are almost always fast food stalls, kiosks and newsagents on or near the bus stations.

Classes

Better bus lines such as Chevallier and Andesmar run modern Mercedes or Volvo buses with spacious, comfortable leather seats, large windows, air conditioning, toilet, television and sometimes a bus attendant for coffee and snacks.

For multi-day trips it is really worth spending AR $ 20 to $ 50 and driving in the sleeper class (coche cama), although the cheaper coche semi-cama (sleeper seats) are also possible. In the coche cama class, the seats are wider, you can lean back the backrest almost flat and are generally much more comfortable. If you want to lie completely flat, you can book Ejecutivo (executive) or Coche Cama super (super sleeper). The cheapest class is común. For trips under five hours, there is usually no choice: the buses are either común or coche semi-cama.

Costs

The prices for bus trips vary depending on the season, class and company and can range from AR $ 6 to AR $ 8 per hour in the común or semi-cama class or between AR $ 9 and AR $ 11 in the coche cama class. Bus tours in Patagonia are among the most expensive in Argentina. Many companies accept credit cards for payment.

In the Lake District and northern Patagonia, minibuses also run to campsites, circular trails, hiking trails, and other popular tourist spots in the summer (November to March). Outside the tourist high season, however, these services are discontinued, so that traveling in these regions becomes much more difficult.

There is almost no public transport on the famous RN 40 or Ruta Cuarenta (Route Forty) route in Patagonia. Several companies have recently started operating this route with minibuses during the tourist season.

Local buses are a great way to see the cities and to get to know the often complex bus system. The buses are numbered and usually provided with a reference to the destination. Since many identically numbered buses travel slightly different routes (especially in larger cities), pay attention to these posters.

Most city buses are paid for with coins. In some cities (for example Mendoza) you have to buy prepaid bus cards or cospeles (chips).

Subway

Buenos Aires is the only city in Argentina with a metro system (also known as the Subte). It is the fastest mode of transport in the city center.

Bicycle

Argentina has good potential for cyclists. It also saves some money: cycling along with camping will significantly reduce the cost of your trip. Of course, you perceive the landscape much more intensely and you have much more freedom than if you were dependent on public transport. You will also likely meet more locals.

Road bikes are sufficient for many paved roads, but the roads are often narrow and the surface can be quite poor. A todo terreno (mountain bike) is often safer and more comfortable, so you can also ride the gravel roads across the country. Argentine bicycles are improving in quality, but are nowhere near the quality of the models from Europe or the USA.

There are two major drawbacks to long distance cycling in Argentina. One is the wind, which can only make slow travel possible, especially in Patagonia. The other drawback is Argentine motorists: on many of the country’s straight, narrow, two-lane roads, they can pose a serious hazard to cyclists. Make yourself as visible as possible and wear a helmet.

Have an adequate repair kit and spare parts (and knowledge of how to use them) with you. Good maps make cycling in Argentina easier. There are many places in Buenos Aires to buy good tickets. Always find out about the local conditions before driving to remote regions; Maps can prove unreliable and conditions can change quickly. In Patagonia, a good windbreaker and warm clothing are very important. Don’t expect too much traffic on back roads, which can help with problems.

Buy a bike

Many cities have bike shops, but good quality bikes are expensive and parts are difficult to find. If you decide to buy a bike in Argentina, the best place to do it is in Buenos Aires. The choice of bikes in other big cities in the country – including Cordoba and Mendoza – is quite small and the prices for an imported bike (recommended for longer bike tours) are much higher than in their country of origin. If you are in the country for some time and just need a bike to ride around the city, Argentine bikes are perfectly adequate.

Bike rental

Decent bike rentals (especially for mountain bikes) can be found in many popular travel destinations, such as Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Bariloche and other cities in the Lake District and Córdoba. The prices are affordable (no more than AR $ 10 per hour).

Traveling in Argentina