AR Argentina: how to get around

In Buenos Aires, a city bus is called a colectivo or bondi while a long distance, intercity bus is called a micro or omnibus; this is not always true though, usage varies somewhat in provincial areas.. The hub of this network is definitely Buenos Aires' Terminal de Omnibus de Retiro; it has up to 2,000 bus arrivals and departures per day, and multiple companies serve most destinations. Buses arrive and depart from a total of 75 platforms, and in order to buy your ticket you will have to choose between about 200 ticket booths situated on the upper level of the terminal.

The more expensive buses generally offer high-quality service, and for distances longer than 200 km, it is common to have food served on board. There is generally a good amount of legroom, and many buses have seats that recline horizontally into beds (called camas) making them a lot like travelling business class on a plane. The best category with completely reclining seats is normally called cama suite, but other names such as tutto letto, ejecutivo, cama vip or salon real are also in use. Somewhat cheaper seats only recline partially (semi-camas), or not at all (servicio común). Every service belongs to one of five official comfort classes with minimum requirements that are prescribed by law in order to facilitate comparisons. The better buses will provide everything you need, while for the lower categories it may be a good idea to take drinks and food with you, as well as toilet paper and ear plugs. If the trip is really long e.g. more than 12 hours it's definitely better to spend a few more bucks and pay for a better bus service. If travelling with a large bag or suitcase bring a handful of coins to tip the porter that heaves your pack in and out of the taxi and bus.

Remember that, although buses usually arrive at their destination a little late, they almost always leave on time. Do not think that the relaxed approach carries over to bus departure times!

More information on bus schedules and fares is available on the webpages of the online ticket resellers Plataforma 10, Central de Pasajes. To buy tickets and to really have a choice to different bus companies you may visit Ticket Online or VoyenBus . For buses departing or arriving in Buenos Aires, you can consult the webpages of the Terminal Retiro in Buenos Aires. A second bus terminal in Buenos Aires is situated in the Liniers neighborhood, but it is smaller and less accessible than the one in Retiro. Major bus companies are Andesmar, Flecha Bus and Expreso Singer.

For city buses in Buenos Aires you should check BA Cómo Llego (In English, also an app for smartphones) and Omnilineas (in English).

The history of rail transport in Argentina is one of many ups and downs. While in the 19th century the rail network rivaled that of the US or many European countries in density, speed and quality as befitted a nation among the richest in the world, the declining fortunes of Argentina in the 20th century hit the railway, too. The railways were nationalized during Juan Domingo Perón's first term and remained state-owned until they were privatized under the government of Carlos Menem. However, the railways have since made yet another U-turn and a new state-owned railway was created in 2015. The government has promoted the re-establishment of long-distance passenger trains, but after Milei came to power in 2023, the train network suffered yet another sharp decline.

Most lines operate at a low frequency (couple of departures weekly), some others (including trains to Tucuman and Córdoba) are announced as closed "temporarily" with no plans for reopening them. So, the rail network is very limited, and intercity buses offer better service and faster rides. The website is a bit hard to navigate and Spanish only. Train fares can be very cheap, often only a quarter of the bus fare, though for long-distance routes they may be similar in price to the cheapest bus services, which taking much longer.

Local travel in the Buenos Aires province is by bus and by local trains, with fast trains being the quickest way to get through the city's traffic. The three largest train terminals in Buenos Aires are Retiro, Constitucion and Once. Retiro is a group of three train stations alongside each other with the main long-distance bus (or "micro") terminal behind the furthest of the train terminals (from the city center).

One of the major long distance train operators is Trenes Argentinos, which departs from Retiro-Mitre (Buenos Aires) to Junin and Rosario, from Once to Bragado, and from Constitución (Buenos Aires) to Mar del Plata. These routes aren't very frequent - some only run several times a week. Tickets can be bought online with a 5% discount and with credit card. Although it does not allow for the selection of a foreign passport ID when buying a ticket, you can enter your number (and letters) under DNI, which will be accepted in the train. For getting the needed online account, you cannot enter letters for your ID number, but just put anything, since you will be asked anew for each purchased connection. You can also purchase tickets in person at designated ticket offices, which are open roughly during normal business hours - these are often located at the train stations, and a map of all locations with their hours can be found on the Trenes Argentinos website.

As mentioned above, long-distance train routes are much slower than the corresponding bus lines, and they often run a few hours behind schedule too. In addition, the seats in the train aren't as good for sleeping, only reclining a little bit and lacking the leg rest that even the low-end "semi-cama" buses do. The advantage of the long-distance train (besides potentially being cheaper), is that you get a more relaxed and interesting experience. The ride is much smoother, there are full-service toilets, hot and cold drinking water, and often a snack bar, and you can stretch your legs any time. You also get very close-up views of the natural landscapes as well as the less-pretty side of Argentina, like trash-covered outskirts and squatter villas (extremely poor neighborhoods similar to Brazilian favelas). The passenger experience can also be more interesting: Especially in the basic cabins (Primera Clase), you're riding with working class Argentinians in what can be a downright festive atmosphere, where everyone is chatting and someone's often playing lively music (people usually quiet down at lights-out, around 10pm).

On Trenes Argentinos, there are three passenger classes:

• Primera Clase: Though is sounds fancy, this is the most basic, cheapest class. Seats are similar to economy-class airplane seats, with a bit more leg room and wider aisles.
• Pullman: Almost the same as Primera Clase, but with wider seats, a wider aisle, and only three seats per row (that is, one third of the seats are arranged in single file with no one next to them). Less availability than Primera
• Camarote: A private cabin with two bunk beds in it - very limited availability, and costs significantly more

All the Primera and Pullman class train cars have half of the seats facing one direction and the other half facing the other direction, with a table in the middle where the two halves meet. So be aware that you have a 50-50 chance that the train will be moving "backwards" relative to your sitting position (though this can sometimes change during the journey).

An amazing (but quite expensive) train ride is the Tren a las nubes (Train to the Clouds) in the northwestern province of Salta, but some people may get altitude sickness. This service, which has experienced suspensions, recommenced in August 2008. The train line no longer crosses the border into Chile.

Domestic flights are available within Argentina, but tickets are pricey, and most domestic flights pass through Buenos Aires' domestic airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. The main carriers are Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM Argentina. Aerolíneas Argentinas' subsidiary Austral, shares its parent's fleet, and tickets for both can be booked at the same office. The prices for tickets are double for non-residents, so be careful with publicized ticket prices. The popular cut priced carrier Flybondi ceased operating in August 2026.

An exception to passing through Buenos Aires for domestic flights is Aerolíneas Argentinas' "Great Circle Route", going both ways Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays BA-Bariloche-Mendoza-Salta-Iguazu-BA (and reverse on another flight both days).

If you fly on your international trip to Argentina with Aerolíneas you sometimes can get discounts on domestic flights. Sometimes you even get free flights with your international ticket but keep in mind that you probably already paid for this with the inflated price of your international ticket.

Always plan to arrive at your final destination before your flight home 2 or 3 days in advance, as Argentina, like most Latin American countries, experiences more delays and cancellations in travel than most areas of the world.

Additional smaller carriers offering domestic flights are:

• Andes Líneas Aéreas, toll-free: 0810 777-2633 (in country only). Began in 2006 with regular flights between Buenos Aires and Salta. Since then they now serve several major cities in Argentina. (updated Apr 2018)
• Avianca Argentina. Connects Buenos Aires to Rosario, Mar del Plata and Santa Fe in ATR 72 aircraft. Plans are underway to expand service to additional cities. (updated Apr 2018)

• Líneas Aéreas del Estado (LADE), ☏ +54 11 5353-2387, toll-free: 0810 810-5233 (in country only). State owned airline, operated by the Air Force, serving Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Province and Entre Rios in the north and Chubut, Rio Negro, Santa Cruz and Tierra Fuego provinces in Patagonia with Saab 340B aircraft. (updated Apr 2018)
• Norwegian Argentina. Subsidiary brand of Norway's Norwegian Air Shuttle to provide domestic flights from Buenos Aires and Cordoba to Mendoza, Puerto Iguazú, Neuquén, Salta and San Carlos Bariloche. Plans are underway to include international flights to Singapore via Perth from Buenos Aires and to include additional domestic and international connections out of Buenos Aires. (updated Oct 2018)

Travelling by car allows you to visit locations that are hard to reach by public transportation. Patagonia, in the South of Argentina, is a popular driving location among tourists due to the breathtaking views across many miles of open land.

Argentina generally recognizes valid drivers' licenses from foreign jurisdictions. Drivers must be over 21. Car rental is readily available throughout Argentina, though it is a bit expensive compared with other forms of transportation.

Traffic regulations in Argentina are generally the same as in Europe and the U.S., but the locals often ignore the regulations. On roads and highways it's mandatory to have car lights on, even during daytime.

Highways are limited to the areas around large cities. Most of the country is connected by paved unlit two-lane roads (rutas) shared by buses, cars, and large trucks. Some places are accessible only by gravel or dirt roads. Indeed, some main roads in southern Argentina are unsealed, leading to 4x4 vehicles being more popular. This is particularly the case in the south. It is important to travel with a good map, and to be well informed about your route distances, road conditions and the estimated travel time.

In many small towns, particularly in the north, they may ration gasoline to ensure they have enough to sell until the next refuelling truck arrives. It's advisable to fill your tank at regular intervals when the opportunity arises.

The hitchhiking club Autostop Argentina began in Argentina in 2002, inspired by clubs in France, Germany, Italy and the United States. As a result, hitchhiking has become more acceptable among the younger generation, and raising a thumb at a highway is a symbol most people understand.

Hitchhiking in addition is a great and inexpensive way to get to know the real Argentina and its people. If you do get a ride, you will in general be treated with much generosity: Argentinians are very friendly and interested. Due to the lack of budget accommodation in remote regions and even larger cities off the touristy routes, as well as because of the large distances, it is advisable to carry a tent with you. There are many opportunities along the main highways to put it up—sometimes a little search is necessary. This way you can discover Argentina (at least its south) even with the most limited budget: €300 for 4-5 weeks is possible and still see the interesting and picturesque sights.

Everything south and including the La Pampa Province is comfortable and easy to hitchhike. Only infrequent traffic (through the center), other hitchhikers (near El Chaltén, El Calafate and especially El Bolsón) or bad weather might set you back. Hence, always have a backup plan (bus, tent, hike, etc.) and simply stay confident. You might in addition take a route which might seem longer, but is in the end much faster, i.e. Ruta 3 is very easy due to the high traffic and few competitors, but Ruta 40 has far less traffic, more competitors and is generally slower due to its conditions. Either way, many helpful tips can also be found in the hitchhiking guide of Wikivoyage.

Nevertheless, near Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Cordoba it is considerably more difficult to hitchhike, and the thumb of a woman is significantly more successful than the thumb of a man. A single man should count on long hours of waiting or simply luck in these regions. Just try it once or twice to find out whether it is possible where you are. Nevertheless, even though as woman it might be more successful, be cautious and vary especially as a solo woman: and never fall asleep and remain on the main roads.

Argentina is an excellent place for hiking and trekking, both in the western Andes, southern Tierra del Fuego and the wide Patagonia, providing many interesting trails. However, due to the often remote nature of these trails, it is important that you are well prepared and have a proper and reliable map with you. In addition, using GPS navigation adds an extra layer of safety, both in cities as well as the countryside. For reliable (offline) maps and comprehensive trails and map information, consult OpenStreetMap, which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz. Or just download the according GPX or KML files through Waymarked Trails for such trails on OpenStreetMap. (Note, you just need to change the OpenStreetMap relation ID to download the GPX or KML files through the same link.)