Travel to Argentina

Flying to Argentina

Argentina's main international gateway is Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza Airport, EZE), located about 22 kilometres southwest of Buenos Aires. Other international airports include Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) in Buenos Aires, primarily serving regional and domestic flights, and El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ) in Mendoza, which also receives some international flights from neighbouring countries.

Argentina's national carrier is Aerolíneas Argentinas. The airline operates flights to and from major cities in Europe, North America, and Latin America, as well as an extensive domestic network connecting popular destinations across the country.

Other airlines flying to Argentina include Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Delta, Emirates, LATAM, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

Airport Guides

Flight times

New York to Buenos Aires – 11 hours (direct).

Travelling to Argentina by Rail

Currently, there are no direct international passenger train services to Argentina from neighbouring countries.

Driving to Argentina

Argentina shares borders with Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay, and there are several major border crossings for those arriving by road:

Chile: The Andes form a natural border with Chile, and several mountain passes connect the two countries. The most popular is the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores (Cristo Redentor Pass), connecting Santiago with Mendoza. Other important crossings include Paso Cardenal Samoré (between Osorno, Chile, and Villa La Angostura, Argentina) and Paso San Francisco (linking Copiapó, Chile, with Catamarca, Argentina). During winter, some mountain passes may close due to snow, so it is advisable to check conditions beforehand.

Bolivia: The main crossing is at La Quiaca in Argentina and Villazón in Bolivia. This route is often used by those travelling to and from the Bolivian city of Uyuni, famous for its salt flats. Buses operate regularly between La Quiaca and the Argentine cities of Salta and Jujuy, making it a convenient option for onward travel within Argentina.

Paraguay: The most commonly used crossing is Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) to Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) via the Tancredo Neves Bridge. From Ciudad del Este, travellers can easily cross into Brazil at Foz do Iguaçu using the Friendship Bridge. This route is particularly popular with visitors to the Iguazú Falls, as it allows access to all three countries in one trip, offering the chance to experience both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the falls.

Brazil: The Tancredo Neves Bridge also connects Argentina with Brazil, offering easy access between Puerto Iguazú and Foz do Iguaçu. Another crossing is Paso de los Libres in Argentina to Uruguaiana in Brazil.

Uruguay: The main crossings are Gualeguaychú (Argentina) to Fray Bentos (Uruguay) via the Libertador General San Martín Bridge and Colón (Argentina) to Paysandú (Uruguay). Alternatively, travellers can take a ferry between Buenos Aires and Montevideo or Colonia del Sacramento.

Drivers should ensure that they have the required visas (if applicable) and that their passports are stamped at border control. In addition, a valid driver's licence, vehicle registration, and insurance that covers international travel are essential. Border crossings can vary in efficiency. It is advisable to carry cash in local currency, as card payments are not always accepted for border fees or services.

Getting to Argentina by boat

The most common water route to Argentina is via ferry from Uruguay. Several companies operate regular services between Buenos Aires and Uruguayan cities such as:
• Colonia del Sacramento: A popular route with a journey time of approximately 1 hour.
• Montevideo: Longer routes are available, with journey times between 2 and 4 hours.

The main operators are Buquebus, Colonia Express, and Seacat Colonia.

Cruise ships

Buenos Aires is a popular port of call for cruise ships exploring South America. Many international cruise lines include Buenos Aires in their itineraries, often as part of cruises to Patagonia, Antarctica, or round-trip journeys from Brazil.