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Getting around in Argentina

car on the road
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Published on 18 December 2013
Updated byAnne-Lise Mestryon 16 July 2018

Are you wondering how to travel through Argentina? Several means of transport are available, including planes, trains, buses, and taxis, so just choose the best means according to your budget and itinerary. More information can be found below.

Bus

Long-distance buses are the most common way to travel throughout Argentina, as they are quick, efficient and comfortable, plus they offer a basic food service and are a great deal cheaper than planes. You can also find bus companies that offer trips to neighbouring countries, such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile but be sure to book tickets for these buses well in advance. Local public transport buses, which are referred to as 'colectivos' or 'micros', can be flagged down in whichever city you're in and will drop you off upon request between bus stops.

Airplane

Given the size of the country, you may wish to travel by plane if your budget permits it, as you will save a great deal of time. Most major Argentine cities have airports, which are served by various airlines. Prices vary according to the airline company and the destination, and some have different pricing policies for Argentines and foreigners. Generally, the price of tickets includes airport taxes, though some cities' airports may charge fees.

Train

Argentina's railway system is not very efficient and trains are often in poor condition due to lack of maintenance. However, it is a very low-cost way to travel and can be a rather sociable and fun experience. Long-distance trains, such as the ones that run from Buenos Aires to Tucuman have sleeping cars, making overnight journeys a lot more bearable. Tourist trains, such as the "Tren del Fin del Mundo" in Ushuaia and the "Tren a las Nubes" are, on the contrary, very comfortable and efficient.

Taxis

Tourists tend to make frequent use of taxis in Argentinian cities, as they are very cheap by US and European standards. You also have remises, which are unmarked radio taxis, and usually operate without a running metre, but have fixed fares. In places where public transport is scarce, you can actually hire a taxi or remise with a driver for the entire day, which works particularly well for small groups. Be sure to negotiate the fee in advance.

Car rental

Car rental companies can be found in most Argentine cities, however, the rates can be quite high. If you intend to leave the country by car, make sure you inform the company, who will take care of all the necessary formalities on your behalf. To rent a car, you must hold an international driver's license, a valid passport and a credit card. More information can be found in our article 'Driving in Argentina'.

We hope you found this article useful! For more articles on visiting Argentina, visit our website.

Useful links:

Europcar
Rental Car Group
Sixt
Expedia
Railway department Buenos Aires
Ferrovias
UGOFE
Metrovias
Omni Lineas
Andesmar
Costera Criolla
Cata Internacional
Rapido Argentino
Plataforma 10
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Austral Lineas Aereas
Lineas Aereas del Estado
LAN Argentina
Sol Lineas Aereas

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading Expat.com's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

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