Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Transportation

Getting to Buenos Aires

As the capital city and the main tourist draw for Argentina, Buenos Aires serves as the chief transportation hub for the entire country and is easily accessible by most forms of transit.

Buenos Aires Airport Information:
Situated in the suburbs of the Great Buenos Aires area is the Ezeiza International Airport (also known as Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini), 30-45 minutes drive from downtown Buenos Aires. For international departures it is recommended that travelers arrive three hours ahead of time for an international flight and two hours for a national departure, therefore it is recommended to keep peak hour traffic hours in mind.

Buenos Aires Airport Departure tax:
As with many cities in Latin America, there is a departure tax that must be paid when leaving the country. Currently, the rate is US $18 for international flights and US $8 for regional flights. Since this tax is paid separately during your check-in, it is best to arrive early to allow ample time should lines be long.

Buenos Aires Airport Shops and Services:
As expected of any international airport, visitors to this capital city’s terminal will find an array of restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as a duty-free shop, pharmacies, currency exchange outlets, ATM’s and a 24-hour bank. To make your arrival or departure more convenient, the Buenos Aires airport also features a tourist information desk (Terminal A), a left-luggage facility, medical service and a VIP lounge with internet access.

Buenos Aires Bus Information:
The major bus transportation hub in Buenos Aires is the Retiro bus station where buses come in and go out to cities and towns all over Argentina and to other countries. This well-organized and very large bus hub is located on the northern side of the city center and serves this metropolis with frequent national and international bus services that vary on quality of seating and amenities depending on price, something that should be taken into account when traveling long distances. Less expensive bus companies can be found at the smaller bus terminal located in the Liniers neighborhood.

Many taxis stop by the Retiro bus station, therefore hailing a cab should not be difficult. The Subte (metro) is also conveniently connected to this bustling station, and many local buses make a stop outside, as well. Inside the terminal travelers will find waiting areas, shops, cafes and more conveniences.

Getting around Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a city that is made for walking. A good portion of the city grid is divided into equal squares with block numbers in the hundreds. This combined with the fact that the terrain is very flat should inspire travelers to walk around the beautiful capital and get to know it on a more intimate level. City maps, usually including all bus routes, are readily available at the local tourist authority or at the Ezeiza Airport, as well as through publishers Guía T and LUMI.

Though if you’re not much of a walker, you’ll be happy to know that the Buenos Aires subway system is very efficient and will take you to most tourist attractions in the city. Another economical form of transportation is the city buses (colectivos) which move inside as well as outside the city borders. Taxis are also very cheap when compared to other world capitals, but a quicker ride is not guaranteed if taken during rush hours.

Taxi:

Hailing a taxi in Buenos Aires is very easy, especially around major tourist attractions. All feature meters that begin with an initial cost of AR$3.80 and then increase AR$0.38 every 200 meters. Rates are very reasonable and it’s recommended that tourists carry small bills in order to avoid taxi drivers that might not have (or claim to) change. If a cab does not have a meter or the driver claims the meter is broken, this should be a warning sign that a scam is at hand. If tourists exercise caution and even learn a few key phrases in Spanish, then a taxi ride in Buenos Aires can be a pleasant and most convenient way to get around.

If unsure of how to approach a taxi, your hotel or restaurant can always arrange for a secure one to pick you up. Tipping the driver is not obligatory.

Colectivos:

Most Porteños use the colectivos (buses) as the main form of public transportation as there are more than 100 lines that service the entire city 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, while the fare is an inexpensive fixed rate of AR$1.25, so long as you move within city borders. Have change on you because ticket machines – located on the bus – only accept coins.

While the bus route is easy to figure out – for each route the bus is painted in a different color to differentiate – a tourist can make their colectivo experience easier by purchasing Guía "T"; a directory of streets that features bus listings for each map. These hand guides are available at subway stations or kiosks around the city.

Once on board, tell the driver your destination or tell them “un peso, por favor”. This will indicate to them that you’re traveling a standard distance and wish to pay one Argentine peso. He will press a button on the ticket machine instructing it to take the amount for your destination. After you insert your coins, the machine will automatically dispense your ticket.

The Buenos Aires Metro:

Buenos Aires’ Metro (often called “subte” as a way of saying “tren subterráneo”, which means “underground train”) is not very extensive but extremely efficient for times when you want to save time as well as money – the rate is AR$1.10 for any combination of routes. As always, avoid the lines during morning or evening rush hours as cars can be very crowded and finding space on one can prove to be time consuming. However, if not boarding during peak hours, this method of transportation is one of the best.

Comprised of six lines, this subway line – the oldest in Latin America - runs from 5AM to 10PM everyday except Sundays when service begins at 8AM. The magnetic strip tickets used can be purchased at the cashier counter but since they are reusable, you can add credit on them through ticket machines and avoid lines. Signs are readily displayed at each station indicating what stops each line makes. The oldest metro in Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The extensive system - often called “subte” a shortened version of tren subterráneo or “underground train” - has now grown to serve much of the city; 1.7 million passengers use some 52km of routes every day.

The system’s six lines are labeled from “A” through “E” and also “H” (lines F, G and I are currently being constructed) each of which is identified by its own color. These are centered on the downtown area and serve all of the important Buenos Aires districts.

The metro has a highly regarded place in Buenos Aires’s cultural history. Each station sports a colorful and imaginative mural painted on its walls, all of which fall into similar themes to make the whole system something of an artistic spectacle. The architecture of some stations is also very elegant and unique; in 1997 this was recognized when a number of stations were made National Historic Landmarks.

Fares on the Buenos Aires metro are most reasonable; any combination of routes will cost around 1.10 ARS (about $0.31 USD) making this option even more affordable than the city’s bus network. The trains run approximately from 5am to 10.45pm, except on Sundays when the service begins at 8am.
Negotiating the metro is straightforward. Each station has clearly marked directions and information which indicates the stops that each line makes. The reusable magnetic-strip tickets can be purchased at the cashier counter; you can add credit on to them through ticket machines and avoid queuing to buy a ticket every time you use the metro. This ticket must be inserted into the ticket barrier system before boarding the train – make sure not to damage the metal strip on your card if you plan to reuse it.

Although the metro usually runs smoothly and quickly, it should be noted that routes can become very crowded during morning and evening rush hours, particularly at around 9am in the morning.