Arrival & Transport
By Plane
The international airport Ezeiza (EZE) — officially Ministro Pistarini — is located 35 km southwest of Buenos Aires and is Argentina's only intercontinental hub.
Flights from Germany
There are no direct flights from Germany to Argentina. The most common connections (approx. 14–18h total travel time):
- Lufthansa: via Frankfurt — often the most convenient transfer, good connection to Buenos Aires
- Iberia: via Madrid — frequently offers cheap deals, approx. 14–16h
- Air France: via Paris — good alternative, approx. 15–17h
- KLM: via Amsterdam — often affordable, approx. 15–17h
- LATAM: via São Paulo — the number one South American airline
- Ethiopian Airlines: via Addis Ababa — unusual route, but often cheap
Flight Prices (Guidelines, Round Trip)
| Period | Price |
|---|---|
| Off-season (Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct) | €600–900 |
| Shoulder season (Jul, Nov) | €700–1,100 |
| Peak season (Dec–Mar, Christmas) | €900–1,500 |
Domestic Flights
Given the distances (Buenos Aires–Ushuaia: 3,100 km!), domestic flights are often the only sensible option:
- BA → El Calafate: 3h, from €60
- BA → Ushuaia: 3.5h, from €70
- BA → Iguazú: 2h, from €50
- BA → Mendoza: 2h, from €40
- BA → Salta: 2.5h, from €50
- BA → Bariloche: 2.5h, from €55
Airlines: Aerolíneas Argentinas (state-owned, largest selection, luggage included), FlyBondi (low-cost, cheap but strict on luggage), JetSMART (low-cost, growing).
Tipp
Aerolíneas Argentinas offers a "Visit Argentina Airpass" for foreigners: multiple domestic flights at fixed prices. Worth it from 3+ flights! FlyBondi also often has offers under €30 — but beware: hand luggage only 10 kg, checked baggage costs extra.
Long-distance Buses
Argentina has one of the best long-distance bus systems in the world. The buses are comfortable, punctual, and connect the entire country. For many Argentinians, they are the preferred mode of transport — and for good reason.
The Bus Classes — Comfort on Wheels
- Semi-Cama: Reclining seats (approx. 140°), onboard entertainment, snack. The standard option — more comfortable than European buses.
- Cama: 160° reclining surface, wider seats, better meals. Ideal for night trips.
- Cama Suite / Cama Total: The first class of buses — 180° flat reclining seats like a bed, only 8–12 seats in the entire bus, gourmet dinner, champagne, blanket, and pillow. Argentina's bus-train business class! Still costs less than a flight.
Important Connections
| Route | Duration | Price (Semi/Cama) |
|---|---|---|
| BA → Mendoza | 14–16h | €25–55 |
| BA → Córdoba | 9–10h | €18–35 |
| BA → Salta | 20–22h | €35–65 |
| BA → Iguazú | 16–18h | €30–55 |
| BA → Bariloche | 20–22h | €40–70 |
| Salta → Jujuy | 2h | €3–6 |
| Mendoza → San Juan | 2.5h | €4–8 |
Good Bus Companies
- Andesmar: Wide network, good comfort, Cama Suite available
- Via Bariloche: Especially good for Patagonia routes
- Chevallier: Solid service to Mendoza and the south
- Flecha Bus: Good value for money
- Balut: Northwest (Salta, Jujuy)
Terminal Retiro
Argentina's largest bus station in Buenos Aires. Buses depart from here to all corners of the country. Well-organized, with counters for all companies. Buy tickets online or on-site — the app "Plataforma 10" or "Central de Pasajes" compares all providers.
Tipp
The Cama Suite is Argentina's best-kept travel secret: For €40–70 you get a fully reclining sleeping berth, dinner, breakfast, and champagne — cheaper than a hotel room + flight! Ideal for the night trip BA→Mendoza or BA→Córdoba.
Rental Car & On Site
Rental Car
A rental car is particularly worthwhile for:
- Northwest: The Ruta 40, Quebrada de Humahuaca, and loops around Salta and Cafayate are best explored by car
- Wine Country: Wineries around Mendoza and Valle de Uco are more flexible with a rental car (but beware: Don't drink and drive! Use Remís/taxi for wine tours)
- Patagonia (Ruta 40): For adventurers — but long distances, few gas stations, partly gravel roads. All-wheel drive recommended!
Not necessary in: Buenos Aires (chaos!), Iguazú (taxi suffices), El Calafate/El Chaltén (organized tours or buses).
Prices (Guidelines)
- Small car: from €25–40/day
- SUV/All-wheel drive: from €50–80/day
- International providers (Hertz, Avis) and local (Localiza, Annie Millet)
In Buenos Aires
- Subte (Subway): 6 lines, cheap (approx. €0.15), fast, but often crowded. Buy a SUBE card (rechargeable, also for buses)
- Colectivos (City Buses): 140+ lines, very cheap, run around the clock. Only with SUBE card!
- Taxis: Black and yellow taxis with meters. Safe and cheap. Alternatively: Uber, Cabify, DiDi (all active in BA)
- Remís: Radio taxi with fixed price — safer than street taxis, ideal at night
Achtung
In Patagonia, gas stations are sometimes 200–300 km apart! Always fill up when you see a gas station. On Ruta 40 in the south, the next town (and the next gas) can be hours away. Take spare cans with you!
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