Last updated: 14 Jan 2013
Travel
Airports
Buenos Aires is the international gateway city to Argentina and is served by the major international airlines. Qantas Airlines has two direct flights per week (via Auckland) to Buenos Aires.
The domestic air routes are extensive. The following domestic airlines have regular flights to and between provincial cities and the major tourist areas: LAPA, Southern Winds, Dinar, Austral and Aerolineas Argentinas.
The domestic airport in Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery) is located about 20 minutes from the city centre. Check-in time for domestic flights is one hour prior to departure.
Ground transport
Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is located about 35km from Buenos Aires. You should allow 45 minutes to get from the airport to most major hotels in Buenos Aires. This is different in peak hours (7.00am-10.00am and 5.00pm-8.00pm) when the trip may take over an hour.
Moving around the country is easy with national highways and roads connecting the major cities. There is also an extensive public transportation system including buses, trains and subways.
It is not recommended to take a normal black and yellow taxi from the airport into Buenos Aires city. Austrade Buenos Aires recommends taking a chauffeur driven car (known as a remis) at a cost of approximately US$45. This service is available from booths inside the Arrivals Hall.
Two companies offer the service of bus transfers to Buenos Aires city centre and main hotels: Manuel Tienda Leon and Transfer Express. The transfer costs approximately US$35 and takes about 35 minutes. Both companies have booths in the Arrivals Hall of the airport.
Hotels
There are many hotels in Buenos Aires, ranging from five-star international hotel chains such as Hyatt, Marriott, Intercontinental and Sheraton, to cheaper low budget hostels. International chains also operate hotels in most important business and tourist destinations throughout the country. In Buenos Aires, most hotels are located near the city centre, where it safer to stay and where most businesses are located.
If you are planning to visit Argentina, the Austrade office can recommend some hotels depending on the length of your stay and the characteristics of your visit.
Dining
Most restaurants open for dinner around 8.30pm, and will not close until 1.00am. Italian, Spanish and French cuisines, as well as Argentine traditional cuisine are the most popular. Some recommended restaurant areas in Buenos Aires include Puerto Madero, Las Cañitas and Palermo Viejo. Restaurant.com lists over 1000 restaurants, bars and cafés in Buenos Aires and other large cities.
In Buenos Aires it is common to have a light meal or a sandwich during the day and a three-course meal for dinner. Three course lunches are very popular in most other Argentine cities, where the atmosphere is more relaxed and people usually take siestas after lunch.
Tipping
Tipping is common practice. It is considered adequate to tip around 10 per cent of the total of the meal. Tips are not included in the bill. When paying with credit cards, it is common practice to tip the waiter in cash.