Buenos Aires Transportation GuideGetting to Buenos Aires
By AirEzeiza International Airport (EZE) is located about 35 km out of the city. Airlines that fly into Ezeiza include the national airline Aerolineas Argentina as well as American Airlines, TAM, Iberia, Lufthansa, Air France, Qantas, LAN, Malaysian Airlines and United and many others.
Some nationalities are required to pay a reciprocal fee on arrival at the international airport.
To travel from Ezeiza to the tourist areas you can travel by taxi, airport shuttle or public bus.
Aeroparque Jorge Newbery is used for several international and domestic flights. It is located within the city limits, a short distance from many popular
Buenos Aires hotels.
For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we would recommend the Buenos Aires airport transfers offered by Green Path Transfers, an organization offering eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.
By Bus
Bus is a great way of getting to and from Buenos Aires as they are cheap, comfortable and reliable. The Retiro Terminal de Omnibus, located next to the Retiro Train Station, services most long-distance buses. The terminal is modern and well organised. Its facilities include cafés, shops, Internet resources, ATMs, lost luggage and tourist information. The international destinations connected by bus are Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia.
By Train
Central Buenos Aires is connected to its suburbs and surrounding provinces by train. Some of the companies and their operated routes are: Ferrobaires to the Atlantic beach towns and Bahía Blanca; Trenes de Buenos Aires to Luján and the south-western suburbs; Trenes de Buenos Aires to Belgrano, Rosario, San Isidro and Tigre; Ferrovias to the northern suburbs and Villa Rosa; Transportes Metropolitanos to the northern suburbs and Pilar; and Metropolitano to La Plata and the southern suburbs.
By Boat
The Uruguayan cities of Colonia and Montevideo are both connected to Buenos Aires by a regular ferry service. Most of the ferries depart from the Buquebus terminal, while Cacciola's ferries leave from Tigre in the north. Both companies run frequent launch services during the summer's busy tourist season.
Getting Around Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has an extensive public transportation system that can take you from one side to the city to the other quickly and efficiently. A coloured map outlining the underground (subte) train is recommended, as well as the Guia T booklet which lists all the city bus routes.
By Subway
Buenos Aires is home to the oldest metro system in the southern hemisphere, which opened in 1913. The subway is locally called the subte and is an easy way for visitors to get around the city. The metro stations are distinguished by their large round logo signs with the identifying line colour. The system has 6 lines: A (light blue), B (red), C (dark blue), D (green), E (purple), and H (yellow). The train tickets can be bought on an individual basis for about $1.20 pesos, or one could opt for the plastic card that can be recharged. For more information about the metro and a map of the lines, check out the website.
By Bus
The local buses in Buenos Aires (colectivos) are very useful for moving around within the city. The cost of a ticket is around $1.20 pesos, which must be paid with coins. It can take some time to learn which bus will take you to your destination, but once mastered you will be able to navigate all around the city. For further resources about how to use the Guia T booklet and riding on the public transportation, review the Vamos Spanish blog.
By Train
Ferrovias and Trenes de Buenos Aires (TBA) are the two companies that run the urban train services. They are conveniently connected to the surrounding residential districts. TBA's routes are extensive and they cover Belgrano, Palermo, San Isidro and Tigre. The Tren de las Costa is another popular way for tourists to travel to the nearby Tigre Delta.
By Taxis
The black and yellow taxis are everywhere; you can hail one down on the street. Taxis in Buenos Aires are quite safe but to be sure, it is best to call in advance and book a radio taxi. Remises are the minicabs that are booked in advance or the fixed-fare taxis.
By Car
Driving in Buenos Aires is generally not recommended. If you want to rent a car, all the major car hire companies are well represented. Drivers must have a license in their home country, plus an International driving permit and insurance.
By Bike
The local government is investing in the construction of a system of bike lanes that crisscross the city. This is great news for residents and tourists. Flat terrain makes Buenos Aires a great city for cycling, but the busy traffic can be a little off putting for new arrivals. The new bike lanes physically separate cyclists from drivers and provide an ideal way to discover the parks and hidden sights. To truly enjoy this form of transportation a guided bike tour of Buenos Aires is recommended, so you just need to pedal, taken in the scenery and let someone else do the navigation.
