Updated September 6, 2023
When it comes to navigating Buenos Aires transportation, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide with all the details for using the subway, trains, buses, Uber, and taxis—as well as how to get to/from Buenos Aires’ airports.
Note: To comply with COVID-19 entry restrictions, traveler still need to submit a sworn electronic statement 48 hours prior to travel on Argentina's government website or through an expediting service like iVisa, which simplifies and streamlines the process for a small fee.
Buenos Aires is one of South America's most exciting cities, and getting around is safe and easy. Here’s a list of your transportation options—we’ll break down each of them below:
Although it can get crowded during rush hour (8 am - 10 am and 6 pm - 8 pm), the Subte is a great way to see the sights of BA. Four of its lines (A, B, D, and E) run parallel from downtown to the western outskirts. Line C runs north to south connecting Retiro and Constitución stations, and Line H runs from Las Heras south to Hospitales.
Pro tip: Some station’s platforms are on opposite sides, so be sure of your direction before passing through the turnstiles.
Buenos Aires buses, known locally as colectivos, are a cheap and efficient way to get around. They run 24/7 and cover the entire city, so you’ll never be far from a stop. Another option is the "Metrobús”, which uses dedicated bus lanes to cut travel times on Buenos Aires’ main streets.
Fares start at $12 ARS ($.20 USD) for up to 6km and $13 ARS ($.23 USD) for over 6km. Tell the bus driver where you are headed (give the name of the crossroad nearest to where they wish to get off), and the driver will select the correct fare to charge your SUBE card. Most drivers don't speak English, so do your best at pronouncing the street names.
Pro tip: If you are going to use the bus, get your hands on a Guía T—the ultimate guide to Buenos Aires buses. You can pick one up at any newsstand for cheap.
If you want to travel by Subte or use the colectivos in Buenos Aires, you'll need to get a SUBE travel card. You can fill it up with credit—each trip costs $16.50 ARS ($.28 USD).
You can get a card at Subte stations, Tourist Assistance Centers, and at many "kioskos" (corner shops selling sweets and tobacco). The SUBE website also has some useful apps and places you can buy and recharge the card.
Pro tip: You can buy one SUBE card per person, or if you’re traveling in a small group, you can use one card for multiple people on the same trip.
Taking the train is a good choice if you want to travel out of downtown Buenos Aires to areas like Tigre. Train tickets are cheap, and can be purchased at train stations with cash—or you can travel using the SUBE card. Fares start at ARS $3.25 ($.05 USD) for short trips and ARS $6.75 ($.12 USD) for longer ones.
BA is overflowing with licensed black and yellow taxis, and they are a comfortable way to get around the city. You can flag one down on the street (if the libre sign is lit), but because of the risk of scams, it’s best to book one using the e-hailing app BA Taxi.
Pro tip: Private hire taxis called remís can be booked in advance through agencies and are a great alternative to renting a car for day trips.
Although Uber exists in Buenos Aires, using it can be a bit complicated. First of all, the city is unhappy with Uber. Secondly, taxi drivers are furious that Uber has stolen their customers.
This means that if you try to hail an Uber at the airport, you may be harassed by taxi drivers. It also means that the Uber driver will ask you to sit in the front seat, so that it doesn’t look like you’re in an Uber.
TL;DR: Uber exists, but it can be a sketchy way to travel.
Buenos Aires has a really cool free public bike share system called BA Ecobici, and there are 3,000 bikes available to explore BA’s sights. Bicycles can be taken for up to one hour Monday - Friday and up to two hours at the weekend (you can go for a second spin after a five-minute wait).
Pro tip: To get a bike, just download the BA Ecobici por Tembic app for Android or iOS.
If you plan to make trips outside the city, you may want to consider renting a car. The airports are a good place to get a rental, but it’s always best to book a car online before you arrive. You’ll find all the major companies in Buenos Aires.
This is the biggest airport in Argentina and located in Ezeiza, about 20 miles from downtown. Bad news: There is no train or metro service from the airport to the city. Good news: You still have plenty of transit options.
Colectivo: Take Bus Line 8, and it will bring you to Plaza de Mayo or Congreso. One way ticket costs are cheap, ARS $43 ($.75 USD), but will take between 1 and 2 hours to get to downtown.
Shuttle bus: Private bus companies like Aerobus Ezeiza, Tienda Leon, and Mini Bus Ezeiza offer excellent service to the city, and cost ARS $690 ($12 USD). You can visit their kiosks at Terminal A or book a seat online.
Taxi: Use the touchscreens in the arrival hall to order your cab. You’ll get a ticket that calculates your price. Then, just line up at the taxi stop lane and give the ticket to the driver when it’s your turn. A taxi ride from Ezeiza to Buenos Aires will take about 30 minutes and cost you around ARS $1700 ($30 USD).
Remís: You can order a private taxi from BA Taxi or by calling one of the private car and driver services for a remís.
Uber: An Uber to Plazo de Mayo will take about 25 minutes and cost ARS $1200 ($20 USD). Just remember—it’s not the most legit way to travel, and you might be harassed by taxi drivers.
Rental Car: Major rental car companies are located at Terminal A in the International section.
Located in the Palermo neighborhood, this airport is within 25 minutes of the popular hotels. It serves mainly domestic flights and flights to neighboring countries.
Colectivo: You can take Bus lines 33 or 45 and get to the city center in about 35 minutes, and the fare is ARS $57 ($1 USD). If you have a lot of luggage, this may not be the best way to travel because you can’t stow it.
Shuttle Bus: ARBUS is the shuttle that runs from the airport to downtown. The trip is about 35 minutes and costs ARS $275 ($4.75 USD). Tienda Leon also runs a shuttle to downtown for ARS $220 ($3.80 USD).
Taxi: Taxis take between 15-20 minutes to get downtown and cost between ARS $288 and ARS $690 ($5-12 USD) depending on how far you are going. The taxi ranks are at the exit from Terminal A.
Remís: You can order a private taxi from BA Taxi or calling one of the private car and driver services for a remís.
Uber: An Uber to Plazo de Mayo will take about 20 minutes and cost ARS $350 ($6 USD).
Rental Car: Major rental car companies are located in the Domestic Arrivals Terminal.
El Palomar is located 11 miles from downtown and serves a range of domestic flights to destinations throughout Argentina.
Colectivo: You can take Bus lines 53, 182, 252, 320, 236, 286, 634 and get to the city center in about 35 minutes and the fare is ARS $57 ($1 USD).
Shuttle bus: Tienda Leon provides service between El Palomar airport and the Puerto Madero bus terminal. The trip takes about 1 hour and costs ARS $220 ($3.80 USD). Tickets can be bought at the kiosk at the airport or online.
Train: If you take the San Martín line, it will get you to the Retiro station in about 30 minutes and will cost you ARS $28 ($.50 USD). You’ll have to buy a SUBE card to use the train.
Taxi: It takes about 35 minutes to get downtown with a taxi, and costs ARS $468 ($8 USD). The taxi ranks are outside the Arrivals Hall.
Remís: You can order a private taxi from BA Taxi or call one of the private car and driver services for a remís.
Uber: An Uber to Plazo de Mayo will take about 20 minutes and cost ARS $850 ($14 USD).
Rental Car: Currently, rental cars are not available at EPA.
--
How should we contact you?
Call
Thank you! We'll get back to you as soon as possible!
Click to register and track your question!
If you would like to follow up with us:
+1 (855) 782-3006