Argentina Transport

Air
There are 19 airports in Argentina that are well distributed throughout the entire country. Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires is the main gateway and is the most common port of entry into the country. Aerolíneas Argentinas is Argentina’s national airline, while other airlines serving the airport include Air France, Alitalia, American Airlines, British Airways and United Airlines.

Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport services both international and domestic flights.

There are a number of options for those looking to park at the airport. All of the car parks are located conveniently close to the terminal buildings. Spaces which are closest to the terminals are reserved for disabled passengers, most of which are situated close to walkways and transportation.

The main car park at the airport can be found towards the south side of the airport and can be reached by the General Ricchieri Highway. This giant car park is closest to terminals B, C and the International Terminal. This car park accommodates both short-term and long-term parking, with no designated lots; visitors are free to park wherever they wish apart from in the spaces specifically assigned for disabled drivers. There is a short-term car park which can be found very close to the main entrance. This is particularly useful for those dropping off and collecting passengers.

Within the three terminals, you will find the following facilities: a number of banks and bureaux de change, ATMs, post offices, a medical centre and pharmacies, many restaurants, cafés and bars and shops including an extensive duty-free range. If you require assistance while you are at the airport, there are many information desks which can be found spread throughout the airport.

Ezeiza International Airport offers a wide range of transfer options. These include: a bus services, train services, car rental, limousine hire and taxis. Some of the top-class hotels also organise transfers to pick their guests up and take them to the hotel.

Rail
The major and most popular direct international route is from Buenos Aires to Asunción in Paraguay. There are also direct links with other international countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay; however, services on these lines are frequently disrupted and you should always leave enough time for delays, which are common. Travelling by rail between these countries is not advisable if you have strict deadlines to meet.

Bus
Visitors can reach Argentina by coach from Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. There are also many domestic routes connecting the entire country. Buses are a cheap means of travelling around South America, but buses are not as comfortable as journeys by plane or train.

Car
Argentina has a network of roads, which total approximately 136,101 miles. Of these roads, 97,993 miles are paved and maintained. If you are planning to drive to other destinations in South America, you will find that roads leading to Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile are all in excellent condition.

Sea
The main ports in Argentina can be found in Buenos Aires, Quequén and Bahía Blanca. Ferries link Buenos Aires with Montevideo in Uruguay and you can also reach Paraguay by taking the ferry along the Parana River.

Air
There are many domestic airports located across Argentina, making it possible to reach various destinations with ease and in good time. The busiest domestic airport is Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, which can be found very close to the commercial and financial district. Aerolineas Argentas manage all domestic services, although they are subject to delay and flights can be very busy. It is possible to buy a 30-day ‘visit Argentina’ travel-pass with a number of coupons for flights within the country. It is also possible to buy a 60-day air pass.

Rail
Argentina’s domestic rail service is the largest in the world. There is however severe under funding and as such, some services have been disrupted. Children under three years travel for free and those under 11 years of age only pay half the fare. There are three classes: air conditioned, first and second class. First class passengers have the added luxuries of a restaurant and sleeping facilities. There are six main rail routes, all travelling to and from Buenos Aires. Passengers are warned that once out of Buenos Aires, rail information is very hard to access. It is possible to buy rail passes for 30, 60 and 90 days. A supplement is charged for sleeping car accommodation. Other discounted tickets include: a group pass, which gives a range of discounts for groups of between 10 and 25 people; the youth pass, allowing those under 30 years of age a 25 per cent discount; and a senior pass, for women over 55 years and men over 60 years.

Bus
Bus services throughout Argentina are provided by Colectivo who operate service 24 hours a day. It is a cheap way to travel round the country but the buses do tend to get crowded. The main bus station is in Buenos Aires and services that connect with many major towns and cities can be caught from here.

Car
Many roads throughout the country have been upgraded and are now in a very good condition. Most motorways are toll roads to ensure that they can afford to be maintained. Rural roads are generally not in as good condition, with many being built from compacted mud and therefore impossible to travel on after it has been raining. Traffic drives on the right hand side and drivers must be at least 21 years of age in order to be able to hire a car. An International Driving Permit is required in order to be able to drive here. There are a number of hire car agencies located across Argentina including Avis, Hertz and Dollar.

Taxi
Taxis are available throughout most cities and large towns. They can either be hailed on the street or found at designated taxi ranks. They can usually be spotted by their yellow roofs, which are unique to the country’s taxis. If you are staying at a hotel, it is advisable to ask them to order your taxi from a reputable company to ensure that you do not get ripped off.