It's a BIG country
by TheWanderingCamel
Distances in Argentina are huge and, unless you have plenty of time, getting around in any other than flying is neither feasible or practical. If you're planning to see the great attractions of the country and you have only two or three weeks at your disposal, you really don't want to be spending hours, let alone days, on a bus - and don't even think about trains. Buenos Aires to El Calafate in the far south is a hop short of 3000 kilometres, the Iguazu Falls are 1500km north of the capital, and Mendoza's vineyards are 1200km west.
Aerolineas Argentinas is the national carrier and services most of the major cities around the country. If you are travelling independently, be aware that flights will be full of pre-booked tour groups, large and small, so make your bookings well in advance. The airline is notoriously unreliable about punctuality, but they will get you there, just be prepared to get to know the airports well and carry a good book.
Their policy of a two-tier fare system means non-Argentinians pay a premium on fares and - to add insult to injury - you'll pay more if you haven't flown into Argentina with AA as well. You really need to do your homework on these fares - or make sure your travel agent does, the difference can be hundreds of dollars. I don't know what fares we actually paid as our ticket was all-inclusive of flights (BA - El Calafate - Bariloche - Iguazu - BA - Mendoza), hotels and tours but the overall cost seemed pretty good value so they obviously did the right thing by us.
LAN have entered the domestic market in Argentina and the recent introduction of a oneworld alliiance South American airpass has made LAN flights around South America somewhat cheaper and covers all the cities we visited but you must purchase the pass BEFORE your departure for South America and you must fly to and from the continent with a oneworld carrier.
Forum Posts
Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by JanuszBudd
Hi there,
Could anyone recommend a travel agency in BA that is trustworthy and could help in organizing round plane trip from BA to Iguacu to Bariloche and back to BA, hire a car in Bariloche and generally help in organising various events (football match tickets etc) in BA and outside.
Appreciate any assistance
Janusz
Re: Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by TheWanderingCamel
We used Ripio Turismo to organize all our travels through Argentina (BA to El Calafate to Bariloche to Iguazu, back to BA and on to Mendoza, hotels, airfares, local tours, car hire in Mendoza) and were very pleased with the service they offered.
www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Re: Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by puppis
no travel advertising is permited here.
Re: Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by puppis
my reply was not for you, wandering, but for the two previous people from local agencies offering their servicies...
Re: Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by Steve92677
We are traveling from BA to Bariloche and from info we have gotten we have decided to rent a car at Bariloche airport and drive around on our own. Not many roads and most of town seems small enough.
Go to Kayak.com and you can find rentals for about $44 a day. Airport code is BRC.
If you are planning on visiting three or more destinations then you might consider using LAN.com and getting a pass. We are going from Santiago to Buenos Aires to Bariloche and from Osorno to Santiago (Taking lake trip to puerto varas). All together $492.
Re: Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by MariaEsperanza
Hey there, I have a friend that runs a travel agency in Buenos Aires that can help arrange all the things you mentioned!
http://www.redbuenosaires.com/
Re: Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by puppis
Maria Esperanza, with no information in your VT page: you sound as a local tour agency. This is not permited here: only candid advice.
Re: Travel agent in Buenos Aires
by gfinesilver
you can probably organize the flights on your own. Aerolineas Argentinas definitely runs the flights as does LAN but not all days. LAN is way better.