Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Argentina has excellent worldwide air connections, with Aeropuerto Internacional Ezeiza (35km/22mi outside Buenos Aires) the main international airport.

From Ezeiza airport, there are several options to get to Buenos Aires. If you're alone, your best bet is taking a comfortable shuttle bus (they're right outside the customs exit) for about 8.50; avoid these companies' taxis as they're overpriced. For taxi service, head to the city's booth (just behind the shuttle bus stands); a ride into the center should cost around 15.00. Avoid taxi touts; penny-pinchers can take a slow, uncomfortable local bus (under 1.00; up to 1.5hr).

A multitude of land and river crossing points connect Argentina with neighboring Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile. Travel from Chile usually involves going over the Andes, while overland travel to Bolivia can mean journeying through the border towns of La Quiaca, Tarija or Pocitos/Yacuiba. Paraguay can be reached by bus and/or river launch, and the most common crossing to Brazil is via Foz do Iguaçu or Uruguaiana. Uruguay is linked to Argentina by road bridges, and frequent ferries sail between Buenos Aires and Colonia in Uruguay.

Getting around

Several major Argentine airlines attempt to make this big country appear smaller. In some cases (if you are, for instance, in Patagonia), flying can be cheaper than covering the same distance by bus. Domestic flights carry a departure tax of around 6.00 (including 21% IVA).

Long-distance buses are fast, comfortable and affordable; some provide on-board snacks or meal services and all have bathrooms. If traveling long distances you can take an overnight bus and save on a hotel stay.

Private operators have assumed control of the formerly state-owned railways, but have shown little interest in providing passenger service except on commuter lines in and around Buenos Aires. The provinces of Río Negro, Chubut, Tucumán and La Pampa continue to provide much-reduced passenger service.

Visa information

Nationals of the USA, Canada, most Western European countries, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas to visit Argentina. In theory, all non-visa visitors must obtain a free tourist card on arrival - it's good for 90 days and renewable for 90 more. In practice, immigration officials issue these only at major border crossings, such as airports and on the ferries and hydrofoils between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. Although you should not toss your card away, losing it is no major catastrophe; at most exit points, immigration officials will provide an immediate replacement for free.