Getting to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is connected with points in the interior of Argentina, with other South American countries and with the rest of the world through an extended transport system. This system includes highways, cruise and ferry ports, two airports (one for international and one for domestic flights), rail lines and bus services. For visitors arriving by air, there is a passenger transport terminal located less than a mile from the centre of the city.
By Car
Driving in Argentina involves long distances and other than the main highways, roads are often not well maintained. The ‘A' roads are motorways (autopistas) and the ‘R' roads are normal routes (rutas). All of the main roads are toll roads. Some sample driving times to Buenos Aires are: from Córdoba, 9 hours; Mendoza, 17 hours; Puerto Iguazú, 20 hours; and Ushuaia (Patagonia), 30 hours.
By Rail
There are InterCity trains servicing a number of routes, run by a number of different operators. Train travel in Argentina is experiencing a revival, as the government intends to re-establish long-distance passenger services linking all major cities. You can find route and schedule information online (in Spanish only) at: www.sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/. You will find that there are a number of stations scattered around the city, offering services from different starting points, with different companies.
From Chile, you can travel to Buenos Aires via Bariloche (Argentina). Servicio Ferrocarril Patagonico leaves from Estación Ferrocaril Roca for Buenos Aires, with stops enroute. From Bolivia, trains from Santa Cruz connect with bus services.
By Bus
Most long-distance buses arrive at the large, but well-organised Estación Terminal de Omnibus at Retiro Station, which is located on the city centre's northern edge. The buses are usually modern and there is frequent service to most parts of the country. There are also international buses to neighbouring countries. The subway (subte) has a stop here and there are many local buses which stop outside the station as well. The information number for bus service is: +54 11 4310 0700.
By Ferry
Daily ferry services are available to and from Colonia and Montevideo, in Uruguay. There are two companies offering the service: Buquebus comes in to the Puerto Madero terminal (tel: +54 11 4316-6400/6500/6550); and Ferrytour operates from the Dársena Norte terminal (tel: +54 11 4311 4700).
