Transportation in Buenos Aires

As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is a major transportation hub with visitors arriving by air, land and sea. An extensive public transportation system runs 24 hours a day within the inner city. Walking in the best way to explore downtown Buenos Aires or for the adventurous a bicycle tour can be arranged.

Downtown Buenos Aires is quite compact and most parts are within walking distance.

Our Buenos Aires Transportation Guide outlines the details of getting to and around this vibrant city. By foot, bus or taxi you can easily travel from your Buenos Aires hotel to tourist attractions around the city. Joining an exciting Buenos Aires tour will help you get the most out of your holiday and allow you to explore the city like a local. More general information about getting around the country can be found in our Argentina Country Guide.

Buenos Aires Transportation Guide

Getting to Buenos Aires

By Air

Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is located about 35km 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 as well as 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 as well as many domestic flights. It is located within the city limits, a short distance from many hotels.

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, it 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 or colectivos in Buenos Aires are very useful to move around within the city. The cost of a ticket is around 1.20 pesos which must be paid with coins. It can take a short 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 into the construction of a system of bike lanes that criss cross  the city. This is great news for residents and tourists. The 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 physical 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.