Transport...go there, travel in the country and after
Getting around Argentina is not very easy but it is very cheap for foreigners, which begs some patience. If you have time and a bit of persistence you can travel across the entire length of the country. However, it is worth remembering that in almost all cases the transport hub is Buenos Aires with few interconnections between provinces - and you should try to arrange your itinerary accordingly.
by Air
Check here for flights to the main airports of Argentina from USA , Canada, UK , France , South America and The Netherlands.
Argentina has for years possessed an extensive internal flight network. In a territory of such varying terrain and vastness it is the only efficient way to travel from one end of the country to the other.
From Buenos Aires domestic flights and flights to Uruguay leave from the Jorge Newbery airport, which is to the north of the city. Flights connect to places such as Salta, Ushuaia, San Salvador de Jujuy and Cordoba among others.
Prices are very reasonable considering the time you save and the distance travelled. Aerolineas is the national operator and although the economic downturn has hit the airline hard it is still operating internal flights all over the country. Tel: 0810-222-86527 from Argentina for flight information and booking.
There is a departure tax payable at the airport of USD30.50 for international flights and USD2.50 for domestic flights (except Calafete, where passengers must pay USD7 and Ushuaia, where they pay USD5).
by Train
Although the train network is one of the world's longest with over 40,000km of track, in practice much of this is made up of local and suburban lines and travelling around Argentina long-distance by rail can be difficult.
You should note that the train network has been grossly underfunded in recent years, and although rail transport is cheap the facilities are not always up to scratch. Outside of Buenos Aires you may find it difficult to navigate the railway or plan reliable timetables. It's worth keeping your eye on the national news if using the train (or any other type of public transport in fact) as strikes are not infrequent and seriously disrupt travel schedules.
From Buenos Aires several routes spoke out to major destinations around the country on half-a-dozen mainlines, including to Cordoba (via Rosario), Mar del Plata and Bariloche (via Bahia Blanca). Depending on destination however, it may be quicker to go by coach and you are advised to check this before booking your tickets if speed is a priority. Sleeper cars are available on long distance journeys and should be booked in advance at the ticket office.
The Argenpass is available from train stations and allows unlimited travel on the network for a designated period of 1-3 months.
Tourist trains such as the Train into the Clouds and the Train at the end of the World remain extremely popular. The Old Patagonian Express is a completely steam powered railway through the most spectacular part of the nation and is deservedly counted among the world's great train journeys.
by Bus
Coach travel is one of the best-developed means of transport in the country - mainly because there is a permanent demand from locals for it. From Retiro Bus Station in Buenos Aires you can catch a coach to anywhere in the country. Private companies operate various routes, and prices vary according to facilities on-board and the type of seat you require.
If planning to travel by coach take into account that given the enormous sizes of the country journey times can be very long. For example a trip to Patagonia from the capital can take over 24 hours.
by Car or Camper
If you arrive by plane and you want to hire a car there are good possibilities at the several airports. Click here to check or book cars at every airport.
Although having a car in Argentina has some appeal owing to the sporadic public transport system you have to take a couple of factors into account. First of all the distances can be huge, and unless you're travelling with another driver you may find it hard to safely and speedily cover the country. If you do choose to hire a car try to do so from an international or national chain with branches in several major cities. This will enable you to leave the car at a different location to your start point.
Further problems arise in more remote areas. The maintenance of the road infrastructure isn't as regular or as professional as could be desired and roads can be in a very poor, not to say dangerous, state of repair. Some roads are little more than compacted dirt tracks and degenerate in poor weather. In extremely remote areas and in some of the big cities, you may also find that there is a risk of car crime. Bandits in isolated places have been known to hijack passing cars, and car crime in Buenos Aires is always a risk.
Expressways are all owned privately and usually carry a toll, but are usually of a decent standard. Minor roads are free to travel on. Note that gas stations are few and far between in rural areas and you should always fill up when you see an opportunity.
If you do want to drive in the country your national driving licence is usually sufficient to allow you to drive legally. However, it is often useful to obtain an International Driving Licence as well - particularly if your own licence is in neither Spanish nor English.
The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory, but often ignored by locals. It is wise for you to adhere to the rules however. Argentinian traffic police are known to be rather vigilant when it comes to foreign drivers and if stopped you may be asked to pay an on-the-spot fine. Sometimes the fine is legitimately imposed, sometimes not - and it's best not to enquire too closely as to which category your misdemeanour falls into.
Speed limits are 40km per hour in cities and 60km per hour on urban express ways. Highways outside the city limits have a speed limit of 120km per hour.
It is possible to travel by road to neighbouring countries in South America - including Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. If planning to travel over international borders you will need to carry the appropriate documentation - including your passport and vehicle registration documents. Border control is relatively stringent.
by Boat
Ferries leave Buenos Aires harbour for Uruguay. Although obviously not regular passenger services, the port at Ushuaia is the embarkation point for cruises and any special charters to the Antarctic continent.
