Getting There

Buenos Aires is the port of entry for the majority of international flights that land at Ezeiza “Ministro Pistarini” International Airport, located 37 km away from the City of Buenos Aires.

Aerolíneas Argentinas is the national airline. From the UK, British Airways flies direct (with one-stop in Sao Paulo), and the majority of the European airlines fly to Buenos Aires with one stop. US airlines go through the United States. Latin American airlines fly with one or two stops.

Entry Requirements:
Visitors to Argentina must have a valid passport, with or without a visa, as applicable. Visas are not required for British passport holders. Contact your embassy or nearest consulate if you have any other nationality.

Vaccination:
No vaccination certificate is required to enter the country. However, as of early 2008, the Argentine Health Ministry advises that if you are planning to visit the littoral zones in the north of Argentina (Misiones), to take a shot of yellow fever, ten days prior to entering the country. There have been some deaths in monkeys in Misiones and some cases of yellow fever in Brazil and Paraguay.

Ezeiza “Ministro Pistarini” International Airport: 
All passengers must pay $1.50 for each luggage trolley they use. Trolleys are free at other airports. Visitors from non-bordering countries are exempt from taxes on their belongings and new articles with a cost not higher than U$S 300 (U$S 150 for passengers under 16) and U$S 300 more if they have been bought at the authorised Duty Free shops located at the arrival terminal. Money can be exchanged at the Banco Nación – located in the Arrival Hall of Terminal A.

Getting Around:

By Plane:
The best way to travel Argentina’s vast distances is by plane. You can purchase a Visit Argentina Airpass in your home country, which is more economical if you are planning to travel a lot. Main domestic airlines are Aerolíneas Argentinas, Austral and LAN Argentina. Most of the domestic flights out of Buenos Aires take off from the domestic airport “Jorge Newbery” next to the Río de la Plata, 15 minutes from downtown Buenos Aires.

Airport Taxes:
Some domestic airports have a departure tax (consult with your travel partner). There is a U$S 18 tax that passengers need to pay when leaving Ezeiza airport. Only Argentine Pesos or US Dollars are accepted to pay these taxes. People travelling to neighbouring countries are charged U$S 8.

Flight times from Buenos Aires to:
Córdoba: 1.15 hours/ El Calafate: 3.15 hours/ Mar del Plata: 0.45 hours/ Mendoza: 1.50 hours/ Posadas: 1.30 hours/ Puerto Iguazú: 1.45 hours/ Río Gallegos: 2.55 hours/ Salta: 2.00 hours/ San Carlos de Bariloche: 2.20 hours/ San Miguel de Tucumán: 1.50 hours/ San Salvador de Jujuy: 2.10 hours/ Trelew: 2 hours/ Ushuaia: 3.20 hours.

By Bus:
Argentina has a large bus network. Most long-distance units offer fully reclining seats, toilet, air-conditioning and bar services. The ticket price generally includes meals. The Buenos Aires bus terminal is located at Ramos Mejía 1680, close to Retiro Railway Station.

By Train:
Ferrobaires (Constitución Station, phone: (011) 4304-0028/31/38); TBA (Retiro Station, phone (011) 4317-4407/45); NOA Ferrocarriles S.A.(Retiro Station, phone (011) 4312-9506/13); Ferrocarril Urquiza (Federico Lacroze Station, phone: (011) 4553-0044)

Car Rentals:
All mayor international companies operate in Argentina. In Buenos Aires  there are offices of Ai Rent a Car International, Avis Rent a Car, Budget Rent a Car, Dollar Rent a Car, Hertz – Annie Millet Rent a Car, Localiza Rent a Car and Thrifty Car Rental, amongst others.
Fuel is 30% cheaper in Patagonia (south of the Colorado River), than in the rest of the country.

Routes:
There are both toll and toll-free roads. Tolls can vary from $0.50 to $8. Routes are mostly two-way paved roads. In the provinces, there are also gravel roads, which are usually in very good condition. If you intend to travel along lonely roads, check with Automovil Club Argentino or the nearest gas station for up to the date information. Also for these kinds of routes, it is advisable to carry two spare wheels. Remember that – depending on the route you choose – you may drive as many as 200 km without finding any gas stations; you’d better get information beforehand. While riding in remote areas of the country, take into account that you might not get mobile phone coverage, and should something occur to your car, you should know some basic maintenance. Route 40 runs the entire length of the country from north to south, bordering the Andean mountain range. Route 3 starts in Buenos Aires and runs south along the Atlantic coast, eventually reaching Ushuaia. Seat belts are mandatory throughout the country, and on routes you must drive with dipped headlights on. Also, you must carry a fire extinguisher and accident warning lamps in the car.
For further information about the conditions of non toll free routes, contact (011) 4343 – 8544, for toll concession routes, contact: 0800-333-0073.

Business hours:
Banks and exchange houses are open on weekdays from 10 AM to 3 PM. Business offices are generally open from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 2 PM to 7 PM. Shops and stores are open from 9/9.30AM to 7.30/8.30 PM, although in the provinces they generally close at midday. Shopping centres are opened from 10 AM to 9 PM.

Methods of Payment:
The official Argentine currency is the peso. However, US dollars and Euros are in some places accepted. Money can be exchanged in banks and exchange houses. American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards. Remember that credit cards and traveller’s checks may not be accepted outside cities and resorts. You can withdraw pesos with your credit or debit card from any ATM machine that are all around the country open 24 hours a day.

VAT Refund:
If you purchase national products for over $70 (per invoice), in stores that subscribe to the “Global Refund” system, you get back the corresponding VAT at the airport, prior to your departure.

Communication Services:
It is very common to find phone booth stores (locutorios) all around the country. For domestic long-distance calls in Argentina, dial 0 before the area code, and for international calls, dial 00 before the country code. More economical rates are charged from 10PM to 8 AM, Saturdays after 1 PM and all day long on Sundays and national holidays. If you wish to place a pay phone call, you can use either phone cards (sold at phone booth stores) or coins (legal tender). If you would like to browse the internet, there is a widely spread service in specific stores, bars and phone booth stores.

Tourist safety and assistance:
Tourist Police Station: Av. Corrientes 436, (C1043AAR), Buenos Aires, Phone: (011)4346-5748, 4328-2135 or 0800-999-5000, email: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar