Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Transport infrastructure in Argentina,
although still not highly efficient, is much
improved. Politicians and bureaucrats have
finally woken up to the numerous problems
faced by the country's transport network.
Now, tourists can arrive at the sleek and
modern terminal at Ministro Pistarini
International Airport or travel the length and
breadth of Patagonia in a comfortable, air-
conditioned
micro
(coach). Visitors can opt to
arrive in Argentina via the other five countries
it shares its borders with or even choose to
come across by sea from Uruguay. With a
couple of exceptions, cross-country train
journeys are, unfortunately, a thing of the
past, so visitors should expect to get around
the country mainly by air or by road. Major
cities and important tourist destinations
across Argentina usually have small airports,
and almost all places are accessible by
micro
.
The vast majority of Rutas
Nacionales (major
highways) are asphalted and operate as
turnpikes;
rutas provinciales
(smaller roads)
off the beaten track are often graveled.
Arriving by Air
All international flights arrive at
Buenos Aires's Ministro Pistarini
International Airport, usually
known as Ezeiza after the area
in which it is located, 22 miles
(35 km) west of the city center.
The only exceptions are flights
between Buenos Aires and
Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil, most
of which use Aeroparque Jorge
Newbery. Ezeiza has three inter-
linked terminals, A, B, and C,
with B used exclusively by
Argentina's main
airline,
Aerolíneas
Argentinas
.
Baggage collection
and customs
operate smoothly,
although baggage
handlers at Ezeiza airport are
notori ously light-fingered, so
ensure that suitcases are locked
and preferably shrink-wrapped.
Other airlines that fly to Buenos
Aires are
Air France
,
American
Airlines
,
Iberia
,
KLM
,
British
Airways
, and
Gol
.
Airports
After Ezeiza, Argentina's
most important airport is
Aeroparque Jorge Newbery,
more commonly known as
Aeroparque, located a mile
(2 km) from downtown
Buenos Aires. This is a hub for
domestic flights to provincial
airports around the country
and to Uruguay.
There are 33 airports in
Argentina that receive com-
mercial flights. Apart from these,
there are smaller
air fields for
chartered services.
Most airports are
located some
distance from the
population centers
they serve, but are generally
well connected to them by bus,
taxi, or
remis
(licensed cab).
high from mid-December
through to March, when the
demand for tickets out of and
into the country is at its highest.
Internal flight prices also peak at
these times, at Easter, and in
June and July.
Expect to pay around US$1600
for a round-trip flight from the
United States, and a few
hundred more for a flight from
Europe. It is possible to find
special deals on the Internet
which are significantly cheaper,
although the flights are unlikely
to be direct.
Fixed date returns are always
cheaper than open tickets,
though there are often some
good offers available on round-
the-world tickets. For internal
flights, Aerolíneas Argentinas
has the largest and most reliable
network in the country. Un-
fortunately, it operates a highly
contro versial “dual pricing”
system, where tourists pay at
least 25 percent more than locals
for the same journeys.
Signboard at Ezeiza
International Airport
Air Fares
Air fares to Argentina are
generally expensive. Prices are
The bustling check-in hall at Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Buenos Aires
