Transport and Driving in Argentina

Most people opt to use public transport in Argentina’s metropolitan areas almost exclusively. Driving in Argentina’s large cities can be stressful, and parking is expensive and hard to come by.

The SUBE card is a smartcard that can be loaded with cash and used to pay for bus, train and metro fares in Buenos Aires and other major cities. Transport fares have increased significantly in peso terms, although costs are still very affordable for visitors paying in foreign currency.

Public transport in Argentina’s large cities, especially in Buenos Aires, is highly effective, and you’ll find that getting around is no problem at all. Some areas of Argentina, such as Patagonia, are slightly more limited in terms of public transport. Although expensive, driving may be a more viable mode of transport in these areas.

Public transport in Argentina

Trains

With roughly 23,000 miles (37,000km) of railway, Argentina has the eighth-largest railway network in the world and the largest in South America. These days, it’s cheaper to travel long distances in Argentina by train than by bus, but train travel in Argentina also takes more time. With that said, long-distance train services in Argentina are minimal, and most routes are suspended or operating irregularly.

Argentina’s primary train network is a suburban train line that connects Buenos Aires with outlying areas. This is the main form of transport for people who work in the capital. Some other cities, like Resistencia, have limited suburban services. A tram system is also operational in Mendoza.

There are three kinds of tickets to choose from when taking the train to and from Buenos Aires. Primera (which is the lowest class), Pullman (standard tickets) and Camarote (a private cabin for two). You can select the type of ticket and seat/cabin when buying tickets online.

Buses

Buses are the main form of public transport in Argentina, and the system is excellent. Urban buses are known as colectivos and cover an extensive route around major cities.

The reliability of buses can vary according to area and time of day. Buses are run by a number of different companies, so fares can vary. In some cities, bus fares are fixed for the entire city. Most city buses have coin machines, and you can pay as you board. Tickets and coupons are also usually available at kiosks around the cities.

Argentina has a system of long-distance buses as well. This is the primary mode of transport used to travel across the country. Some of these buses have interiors similar to that of an airline’s business-class cabin and even offer on-board dining. Similar to trains, buses also have different seat classes you can choose from.

Underground rail

Buenos Aires is home to the oldest subway system in South America. You can easily navigate the six lines of the Buenos Aires subway (subte) by checking the map, which is available online. You’ll have to use a SUBE smartcard, which is available for purchase at subte stations, in the city’s tourist centres or at a kiosk (street-side convenience stores). Since January 2025, you can also pay for subway rides with your credit card, although the SUBE card is still required for buses until the rollout is complete.

Trams

Trams are making a slow comeback in Argentina after being phased out in the 1960s. There is now a tram line in Buenos Aires that feeds the subte system (the PreMetro Line E2), as well as a light rail system in the northern suburbs of the city (Tren de la Costa).

Trolleybuses, which are powered by overhead electric wires, operate in Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario.

Useful links

• Trenes Argentinos
• Buenos Aires Subte
• SUBE Card

Taxis and ride-sharing services in Argentina

Hailing a local taxi in Argentina is also easy, but expats would benefit from basic Spanish to communicate with their drivers. Ride-sharing services such as Uber are readily available in Buenos Aires and most other urban areas. These provide non-Spanish speakers with a hassle-free way to get around the cities without the risk of miscommunication with taxi drivers. Alternative ride-sharing services like Cabify and Didi are also available.

Most taxis in Buenos Aires only take cash. BA Taxi, an app rolled out by the city, allows users to request a taxi and potentially pay with a credit card, although payment options may be limited for visitors without an Argentine national ID.

Useful links

• Uber Argentina
• Cabify Argentina
• BA Taxi
• Didi Argentina

Driving in Argentina

Argentina is a country with a huge landmass, but thankfully, its extensive road network makes travel easier. Despite the high cost associated with buying a car in Argentina, the country has one of the highest car ownership rates in South America, with an estimated 17 million motor vehicles on its roads. There are well-maintained expressways that extend from Buenos Aires to most parts of the country. You may find some gravel and dirt roads in Argentina, but most roads are paved and in excellent condition.

Car rentals are relatively expensive in Argentina, but can be worthwhile if you want to explore the country. You can get a better rate at a locally owned agency than you would at an international one. The minimum age to rent a car in Argentina is 21. If you’re living in Argentina in the long term, you may find buying a car to be more financially viable, but the bureaucracy involved with making the purchase will be frustrating.

Driver’s licences

To drive in Argentina, expats must hold an international driver’s licence in addition to a national driver’s licence from their home country. Always have your vehicle’s registration, green card (tarjeta verde), tax and insurance documents in the car, as traffic police will request to see these if they pull you over. Police roadblocks happen frequently.

Useful links

• Argentina Transport Ministry

Domestic flights in Argentina

Argentina’s national air carrier, Aerolíneas Argentinas, operates most domestic flights, but this airline is notorious for delays, although it has improved slightly. Only Argentinian residents qualify for the cheapest fares. Other major airlines that offer domestic flights include the low-cost carriers Flybondi and JetSMART, which have become popular alternatives for budget-conscious travellers.

There are 19 major airports in Argentina, but the largest are the Ministro Pistarini International Airport (usually called Ezeiza and abbreviated EZE) and the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (abbreviated AEP) in Buenos Aires. The aviation deregulation in 2025 means more airlines and routes are becoming available, and international air travel numbers are hitting record highs.

Useful links

• Aerolíneas Argentinas
• Flybondi
• JetSMART
• Aeropuertos Argentina 2000