Social ConventionsThe most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebody’s house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 2100-2200. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theaters.
International Travel:Getting There by
AirThe national airline is
Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) (website:
www.aerolineas.com.ar).
Air PassesMercosur Airpass: Valid within Argentina, Brazil, Chile (except Easter Island), Paraguay and Uruguay. Participating airlines include
Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR), Aerolíneas Del Sur (AS), Pluna (PU) and
VARIG Airlines (RG). The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America and must be booked in conjunction with an international ticket. It is valid for seven to 45 days.
South American Pass: Valid on
Aerolíneas Argentinas and
Austral (its domestic subsidiary) flights only.The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America and whose international flights are booked with Aerolíneas Argentinas. Up to 10 flight coupons are allowed and it is valid for 7 to 45 days.
oneworld Visit South America Pass: Valid within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines are
Aer Lingus (
EI),
American Airlines (
AA),
British Airways (
BA),
Cathay Pacific (
CX),
Finnair (
AY),
Iberia (
IB),
LAN (
LA) and
Qantas (
QF). The pass must be bought outside South America in the country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 34 cities. A minimum of three flights must be booked, with a maximum of 20; prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.
Departure TaxUS$18. For flights to Montevideo (Uruguay) and regional flights, the departure tax is US$8. Passengers in transit and children under two years of age are exempt. Visitors are advised to check with their airline or travel agent as the departure tax is subject to frequent changes. There is also an immigration tax of US$10 on all international flights.
Main AirportsEzeiza Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) (website:
www.aa2000.com.ar) is 37km (23 miles) from Buenos Aires.
To/from the airport: Regular shuttle buses connect to the city (journey time - 40 minutes). Taxis and private hire cars are also available.
There is also a coach connection to
Jorge Newbery airport (locally called
Aeroparque) for domestic flight connections. To reach the city by car, drive on the Teniente General Ricchieri freeway.
Facilities: 24-hour bank, bureau de change, ATMs, restaurants, tourist information kiosk, duty-free shops and car hire.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Buenos Aires (website:
www.puertobuenosaires.gov.ar)
Quequén (website:
www.puertoquequen.com)
Bahía Blanca (website:
www.puertobahiablanca.com).
Sea/river links: Buquebus (tel: (011) 4316 6500; website:
www.buquebus.com) and
Ferrylineas (tel: (011) 4314 4580) connect Colonia and Montevideo in Uruguay with Buenos Aires. There are also ferry connections with Paraguay via the Paraná River.
Getting There by RailTraveling by train to Argentina is not really a viable option and there are currently no direct rail links with neighboring countries. However, it is possible to travel by train from Pousadas on the border with Paraguay with
Trenes del Litoral (tel: (011) 4554 8018; website:
www.trenesdellitoral.com.ar).
Getting There by RoadArgentina has a good network of roads, and there are well-maintained routes from Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile.
Cross-border
coach companies include
Pluma (tel: (011) 4312 5900; website:
www.pluma.com.br),
Tur Bus (tel: 600 660 6600, within Chile only; website:
www.turbus.com) and
El Rápido Internacional (tel: (011) 4315 0804; website:
www.elrapidoint.com.ar).
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Argentina without incurring customs duty:
(a) Travelers over 18 years of age coming from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in these countries, may import the following quantities of these goods:
200 cigarettes and 25 cigars;
1l of alcohol; 2kg food; 1 bottle of perfume.
Travelers under 18 may import half these totals.(b) Travelers over 18 years of age coming from countries other than those listed above, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in countries other than those above, may import the following quantities of these:
US$300 in gifts;
400 cigarettes and 50 cigars;
2l of alcohol; 5kg of food; 2 bottles of perfume.
Travelers under 18 may import half these totals.
Note: Items that might not be considered part of normal luggage (such as expensive camera equipment or musical instruments) should be declared upon arrival and the declaration shown on departure.
Prohibited ImportsAnimals and birds from Africa or Asia (except Japan) without prior authorization, parrots and fresh foodstuffs, particularly meat, dairy products and fruit. Explosives, inflammable items, narcotics and pornographic material are also forbidden.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAir travel within Argentina is well-developed and efficient.
Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) (website:
www.aerolineas.com.ar) serves many domestic destinations from its key hubs in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Bariloche.
Southern Winds (website:
www.swvirtual.com.ar) also serves key destinations including Mendoza, Ushuaia, Mar del Plata, Salta and Iguazu.
Air PassesThe
Visit Argentina Pass allows overseas visitors to buy reduced-fare coupons for flights within the country. These must be purchased in the visitor’s country of origin and are not available once in Argentina.
Getting Around by RailAfter years of neglect, the government has pledged to re-establish some long-distance rail links and is funding a new high-speed line between Buenos Aires and Rosario. But for the time being trains remain infrequent and slow-going. Several rail companies operate in Argentina, including
Ferrobaires (tel: (011) 4304 0028; website:
www.ferrobaires.gba.gov.ar), serving destinations such as Mar del Plata and Bahia Blanca.
Trenes del Litoral (tel: (011) 4554 8018; website:
www.trenesdellitoral.com.ar) operates between Buenos Aires and Posadas, linking many little towns in the provinces of Entre Rios and Corrientes.
Getting Around by RoadMajor privatization programs have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, can become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains. The ‘A’ roads are the
autopistas (motorways) and those labelled ‘R’ are
rutas (roads) - tolls exist on all main roads.
Car hire: Visitors aged 21 or over may hire a car in Argentina. Car hire is available in most towns and cities, and many international companies operate out of Buenos Aires and main tourist destinations.
Regulations: The maximum speed limit on motorways is 130kph (80mph), on one-lane roads is 80kph (50mph), while the speed limit in built-up areas varies (40-60kph/25-37mph).
Emergency breakdown service: The
Automóvil Club Argentino - ACA (tel: 0800 777 2894; website:
www.aca.org.ar) offers breakdown cover and reciprocal benefits for members of motoring organizations in other countries.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required and must be stamped at the offices of the
Automóvil Club Argentino. Proof of vehicle ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment must also be carried at all times whilst driving.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesBuenos Aires is the only Argentine city with an underground train service, known as the
Subte (website:
www.subte.com.ar). The Subte has five lines and is generally clean, safe, fast and efficient.
Subtepass tickets can be purchased at station entrances in denominations of one, two, five, 10 and 30 journeys. Overland urban trains also serve the capital city and its suburbs. Trains and trolleybuses operate in Argentina’s second city Rosario.
Colectivos (local buses) operate on main thoroughfares in all large towns and cities. Taxis are readily available and can be hailed from the side of the road but it is advisable to used recommended
remises or private hire cars.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from
Buenos Aires to other major cities/towns in Argentina.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
| Córdoba | 1.10 | 9.00 | 12.00 |
| Bariloche | 2.10 | 22.00 | 36.00 |
| Iguazú | 1.40 | 20.00 | - |
| Rosario | 0.50 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
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