Coming up with an Argentina itinerary is no easy thing. There is a lot to see and do in this vast country. You will have to hop on more planes you wish to do and ride buses for long hours – but it is worth it.
Having visited many times and still dreaming of the incredible landscapes of Patagonia, I can only say this will be the trip of a lifetime—one you will never forget and, in fact, want to repeat.
The best of Argentina itinerary will include Buenos Aires, the magnificent peaks of the Andes, plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities, adventure, wine tasting, and indigenous cultures. You will admire glaciers, marvel at the roar of Iguazu Falls, and sip Malbec while savoring the tastiest beef.
Are you unsure how to plan your trip to Argentina? Don’t worry! I have created two great itineraries based on the amount of time you may be able to spend in the country.
The Best Argentina Itinerary
Argentina Itinerary #1 — 10 to 14 Days: Buenos Aires, Patagonia and Mendoza
If you are a first-timer in a country, you should start with the most popular attractions. Pick this Argentina itinerary if it is your first time in the country and you’re planning a 10 day Argentina itinerary. If you have more than that, you can opt for a different itinerary or just add a day in Buenos Aires, one in El Calafate one in El Chalten, and also one in Mendoza.
Alternatively, you can simply add an extra stop in Puerto Madryn.
In short, this is what your 10 day Argentina itinerary will look like:
- 2 Nights in Buenos Aires
- 2 Nights in El Calafate
- 3 Nights in El Chalten
- 3 Nights in Mendoza
Days 1-3: Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the first stop of any Argentina itinerary. Known as the Paris of South America, the city is packed with interesting sights and things to do, and there is a multitude of good restaurants and bars and an incredible nightlife.
You’ll spend two full days in the city. These are enough to get a good feel for it and tickle your interest in the capital, but if you have two weeks in Argentina, definitely add an extra night.
Whether you visit the classic sights of Buenos Aires or not is up to you. I recommend doing that on the first day—hitting all the must-sees. Places like the Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo, La Boca and El Caminito, Recoleta Cemetery, and finally, the lovely Puerto Madero are among the top attractions in town.
I also recommend taking a guided city tour to make the most of your time. This Buenos Aires: City Highlights Guided Tour with Transportation is a fantastic activity and the best way. to explore the city. The city goes to San Telmo, Avenida de Mayo, Madero Port, and more.
Another great way to explore the city and, more importantly, the culture is to admire the incredible street art in Buenos Aires. There are tours that focus on street art, which teach you about the history, art, and culture of the bustling city.
I recommend picking one with a local guide, such as this Palermo: Graffiti and Street Art Guided Tour in English. You will walk around Palermo, one of the most lively barrios of Buenos Aires, and learn how the various murals came to life, what their meaning is, and how they have contributed to change in the city.
Although street art may not be for everyone, this tour puts everything in context, and by the end, you will feel like you have learned a great deal about the city.
If a street art tour is not enough to appreciate the culture of Buenos Aires, a “dinner” at The Argentine Experience will add for sure. Through food and wine, the friendly hosts help guests understand the incredibly diverse heritage of the city.
I recommend this Buenos Aires: The Argentine Experience Gastronomical Dinner. Guests participate in activities such as making empanadas (one of the local staples) and learning the basics of the local sign language. They also get to enjoy a fabulous dinner cooked using strictly local products, accompanied by various local wines.
Make sure to read my posts 32 Unmissable Things To Do In Buenos Aires and 10 Fantastic Day Trips From Buenos Aires if you need more inspiration. In truth, you can spend weeks in Buenos Aires and never run out of things to do. But for this itinerary, 2 nights is plenty of time.
Where to stay in Buenos Aires
Hotel Clasico—This is a small boutique hotel in the heart of Palermo Soho. It features comfortable rooms and a stylish environment. The area is packed with good bars and restaurants.
Duque Hotel Boutique & Spa—This is the perfect luxury hotel in Palermo. It has a wellness area, large, spacious rooms, incredible staff, and an unbeatable location. It’s more upscale than many other hotels and will guarantee an amazing experience.
L’Adresse Hotel Boutique—This is another amazing hotel in San Telmo, one of the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. The hotel rooms are spacious, and the design is rustic and charming. The location is perfect, near plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Alvear Art Hotel—This is one of the best hotels in the micro center (or city center) of Buenos Aires. The hotel is close to all the best attractions in the city center. The rooms are also very nice, with large beds, a private bathroom, and everything else you might need.
For more ideas, read my post A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Buenos Aires. The article dives into all the best neighborhoods and areas in Buenos Aires and talks about more hotel and apartment rentals in the city.
Days 3-6: El Calafate
Your second stop will be El Calafate, which is in the south of Argentina and is 2,800 km (1,740 miles) from Buenos Aires. The easiest way to get there is to hop on a direct flight, which takes about 3.5 hours.
This nice small town located on the shores of Lake Argentino is the best access point to visit Perito Moreno Glacier and is home to a multitude of excellent restaurants where you can taste the best Argentine asado (mixed grill).
El Calafate is a nice place to explore. A walk along the lake is the perfect occasion to admire the incredible local bird life. Pink flamingos live in the lagoon, battling the strong wind that blows in this part of the country. Laguna Nimez is an even better place for birdwatching.
For more information about the city, read my post A Complete Guide To El Calafate Argentina. The post details all the best things to do, places to eat, hotels, and more things to know about El Calafate.
Most people use El Calafate as a base to visit Perito Moreno Glacier. Plan a full day for your visit on a tour that is classic and adventurous at the same time. Walk along the balconies and explore the various viewpoints of the glacier to admire as the ice cracks and falls in the freezing waters of Lake Argentino, with a thunder-like sound.
The best guided tours take you to the southern part of Lake Argentino, where you’ll board a catamaran that will take you as close as possible to the southern wall of Perito Moreno Glacier for even more stunning views and incredible photo opportunities. The catamaran will then drop you off at the glacier’s southern base.
There, you’ll meet a local guide who will help you wear crampons and will take you on a short but rewarding hike on the ice, showing you the best cracks and creases, allowing you to taste glacier water, and finally offering you a shot of whiskey on Perito Moreno rocks.
I recommend this El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier & Optional Boat Cruise. The activity includes roundtrip transportation to Perito Moreno Glacier, an exciting boat cruise, and a professional guide.
For something a little more adventurous, I recommend this Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise. The activity includes both a boat cruise and an hour of trekking on the actual glacier. I visited the glacier this way, and I think it’s the best experience, especially if you’re prepared for a good hike with proper equipment.
For more about the glacier, read my post A Complete Guide To Perito Moreno Glacier. You’ll find more tours and important information before you travel Argentina and visit Perito Moreno Glacier. You should also check out my post 15 Amazing National Parks In Argentina if you want a better idea of the incredible national parks across the country.
Where to stay in El Calafate
Hotel Esplendor—This is a fantastic boutique hotel located on a hill with beautiful views of the lake. The rooms are incredibly large and comfortable, and the overall place is very stylish. There is an on-site spa and a restaurant that serves delicious food.
Boutique Hotel La Cantera—This is a quintessential, rustic boutique hotel in El Calafate. The hotel has more of a “cabin” feel, with simple rooms that are still very comfortable. It’s close to the center of El Calafate, so it’s the perfect home base for all your Patagonia adventures.
America Del Sur Calafate Hostel—This is a great budget hostel option in El Calafate. You can choose a shared dorm or a private room, and both are nothing but comfortable and welcoming. The hostel has a large common area with massive windows and a great view.
Days 6-10: El Chalten
El Chalten is likely the place you’ll enjoy the most. El Chalten is 213 km (132 miles) from El Calafate. You can get there by bus from El Calafate—it’s a three-hour journey.
To be honest, the town is nothing special. It’s basically a group of houses and hotels built in complete disregard of any architectural style, set around two main roads.
There are also a few restaurants (excellent for the most part) and (for some unknown reason) more than enough breweries (all of them offering happy hour, which is good news for hikers), a handful of shops, and just two ATMs (hardly sufficient during peak season).
Make sure to read my post An Excellent Guide To El Chalten for more details on all the best things to do, see, and eat in the charming Patagonian town.
It’s what’s around El Chalten that makes it the highlight of any trip to Argentina. Indeed, El Chalten is right at the base of Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. These can be seen from a long distance, as the bus from El Calafate approaches El Chalten first on Ruta 40 and then on Ruta 23.
Needless to say, if you visit El Chalten, you are in for a real hiking extravaganza. You will hike the trails to Laguna Torre, at the base of Cerro Torre, and to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Cerro Fitz Roy.
These are quite long hikes on very well-marked trails, but don’t go alone, as you will need encouragement along the way (check out why I never recommend hiking alone).
You can easily hike to Laguna Torre independently. However, if you want a more guided experience, I recommend this Hike Cerro del Torre: Full-Day Trek from El Calafate. The activity includes roundtrip transportation and a trail map.
The trail to Laguna de Los Tres is very well-marked and easy to follow, but if you prefer more organization and transportation arranged for you, I recommend this El Calafate: Laguna de los Tres Transfer & Self-Guided Hike. It’s not a group hike, but you might meet other travelers, and it’s nice to have transportation ready for you if you don’t have your own car.
For more information about the hikes, read my posts A Complete Guide To Hiking To Laguna Torre and A Guide To Hiking Around Fitz Roy, In El Chalten. These articles go over everything you need to know about each hike!
Where to stay in El Chalten
Posada y Cabañas El Barranco—This hotel offers cute cabins and villas. It’s close to town but also immersed in nature, making it one of the best places in Patagonia. The rooms and villas are also nice, albeit simple. It’s only 1 km from town (0.6 miles), so it’s still easy to get around, as well.
Chalten Suites Hotel—This is one of the best hotels in El Chalten and possibly Patagonia. It’s right in town, has large rooms, and has a great staff available for you. The rooms have a nice terrace, and some suites even have a gorgeous mountain view.
Rancho Grande—This is a great hostel and hotel in El Chalten. You can choose between private rooms with an en suite bathroom or shared dormitories. The hotel has a 24-hour restaurant, a tour desk at the reception, and anything else you might need.
Days 10-14: Mendoza
Mendoza is in northern Patagonia. It’s 2,600 km (1,615 miles) from El Chalten. The easiest way to get there is to fly, but flights first stop in Buenos Aires. Depending on the layover time in Buenos Aires, flights can take 5 to 15 hours.
While it’s not to easiest place to travel to from El Chalten, Mendoza is the perfect place to wrap up an incredible trip to Argentina. Celebrate with wine and delicious food in the lovely surroundings of vineyards and Andean peaks. You can get there by plane from El Calafate via Buenos Aires.
If the rest of this Argentina itinerary is all about adventure and adrenaline, in Mendoza, it is all about taking it slowly. Once in Mendoza, you should visit the nicest bodegas (vineyards) in the region – all of them have fabulous restaurants attached.
You can go biking and even horseback riding through the vineyards and have a chance to try several wines to learn about the process of winemaking and bottling and gorge on a 7-course lunch – accompanied by yet more wine. Make sure to buy lots of wine to bring home, as it costs a real steal!
After a few days soaking in the beautiful scenery and sipping on some of the best wines in Argentina, you can fly directly back to Buenos Aires before leaving Argentina. Mendoza is 1,050 km (652 miles) from Buenos Aires. The flight takes about an hour and 40 minutes.
I recommend this Mendoza: Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings. It can be hard to hit all the best vineyards on your own, so a tour can really make things easier. This tour includes a visit to two of the best wineries in Mendoza, a tasting, and lots of background information about each winery.
For something a little more active, I recommend this Mendoza: Winebike Tasting with Optional Lunch. It’s a really fun group tour of two different wineries. You ride around on a shared bike, talking, laughing, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors and vineyards.
Check out my posts, A Guide To The Most Fun Things To Do In Mendoza, Argentina, and Fantastic Wineries In Mendoza, for more ideas for your Mendoza Argentina itinerary.
Where to stay in Mendoza
Posada el Encuentro—This hotel is tucked away in a small alley in Chacras de Coria, one of the nicest areas a bit outside Mendoza. This nice boutique hotel exudes countryside charm while maintaining all the niceties you might want in comfortable accommodation.
Tanino Guest House—This is a very charming, more authentic guest house experience in Mendoza. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a lovely lounge area, and comfortable rooms. You can choose between more luxurious private rooms and budget-friendly rooms with shared bathrooms. Overall, it’s a good home base in Mendoza.
Chill Inn Hostel—This is the perfect place for budget travelers and hostel lovers. It’s a beautiful hostel, complete with an outdoor swimming pool, shared kitchen, large terrace, and decent location. You can choose between shared dorm rooms and private rooms.
Do you have more time?
While a 10 days in Argentina itinerary is better than nothing, it’s even better if you can get a few more days. If you have 14 full days in Argentina, you may want to add an extra stop in Puerto Madryn between Buenos Aires and El Calafate.
This is an excellent place for wildlife spotting. You can go to the penguin reserve in Punta Tombo, explore Peninsula Valdes, and even go on a boat trip to admire dolphins and other marine life. You can read more about it in the next section below.
Roadtrip from El Calafate to Mendoza
This 10 days Argentina itinerary (or two weeks) highlights the Buenos Aires–El Calafate–El Chalten–Mendoza–Buenos Aires route. It’s not the most direct itinerary, as you’ll have to take a few flights and buses. However, these are some of the best places to visit in Argentina.
If you want to do this same route with a few minor differences and want to rent a car in Argentina, you can also do one epic roadtrip from Mendoza–El Chalten or El Chalten–Mendoza.
I recommend starting in Buenos Aires and flying to El Chalten or El Calafate. In El Calafate, you can rent a car with Discover Cars and drive along Ruta 40 (the longest road in Argentina). You can stop at several places along the way, including Santa Maria, Salta, and more.
Once you arrive in Mendoza, you can return your car and fly back to Buenos Aires at the end of your trip.
El Chalten to Mendoza 2,600 km (1,615 miles) and takes 35 hours non-stop. You can technically do this route in two weeks, but it’s much better if you have another week or so. That way, you aren’t rushing through the journey.
Discover Cars is one of the best rental car companies. I’ve used them several times for international road trips with no problems. You can rent a car in a different location then you return it in, as well, making a road trip even easier. Currently, there are several cars available for pick-up in El Calafate and drop-off in Mendoza. They usually only have a 100km (62 miles)/a day limit, so you may want to opt to purchase the unlimited miles package with the rental company if you’re planning a road trip.
Argentina Itinerary #2 — 3 to 4 weeks: Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn, Patagonia, and Iguazu
This best Argentina itinerary won’t take you to Mendoza, but you will spend more time in Patagonia and also make it to the north of the country, in the region of the Quebradas and the magnificent Iguazu.
Here is what your 3 week Argentina itinerary will look like:
- 3 Nights in Buenos Aires
- 3 Nights in Puerto Madryn
- 4 or 5 Nights in Ushuaia
- 3 Nights in El Calafate
- 3 Nights in El Chalten
- 3 Nights in Iguazu
- 1 Night in Buenos Aires
Days 1-3: Buenos Aires
For this 3 week Argentina itinerary, you will spend three nights in Buenos Aires (similar to the above itinerary, as well). There’s a lot to see and do in Buenos Aires, including day trips to beaches or even to Chile. You can go to a football game, eat delicious asado, dance tango, and do so much more.
Please check out my tips above for what to see and do in the city and ideas on where to stay.
Days 3-6: Puerto Madryn
The second leg of this Argentina itinerary will take you to Puerto Madryn. You can get there from Trelew, which is connected by plane from Buenos Aires. Trelew is 1,385 km (860 miles) from Buenos Aires, and the flight takes about two hours. It is also connected via direct flights to El Calafate and Ushuaia.
This small coastal town in the Chubut region is one of the best places in the country for wildlife watching. Plan to stay enough time to visit the Peninsula Valdes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will spot a colony of elephant seals, and Punta Tombo, famous for being one of the largest penguin colonies in the world.
Depending on the season, Puerto Madryn is also the perfect starting point for whale watching.
For whale-watching, I recommend this Valdez Peninsula: Full Day with Whale Watching tour from Puerto Madryn. The tour lasts about 12 hours and starts early in the morning, but it is the perfect activity during whale season, as you’ll definitely come across the gentle giants. It’s also a really fun boat ride overall.
I also recommend this From Puerto Madryn: City and Punta Loma Tour. It includes a mini-city tour, which is a great way to get familiar with the area. The tour finishes with a trip to Punta Loma, where the sea lion reserve is.
For something even more exciting, I recommend this Puerto Madryn: 3-Hour Snorkeling Trip with Sea Lions. You’ll jump in the water with the sea lions and explore one of the most beautiful parts of Argentina.
For more activities, check out my post, A Complete Guide To Puerto Madryn, Argentina. I detail the best places to stay, things to do, and other important information to know before visiting Puerto Madryn.
Where to stay in Puerto Madryn
Hotel Bahia Nueva—This is one of the best hotels in Puerto Madryn. It’s very close to Playa Puerto Madryn, so it has one of the best locations, as well. The rooms are incredibly rustic and charming with lots of decor that add a lot of personality to the place.
Hotel Piren—This is another great spot, especially if you’re looking for a good view. The rooms all have a terrace, and some have a beautiful sea view. The hotel itself is also very nice, in the perfect location.
Hotel Peninsula Valdés—This popular hotel is also right near Playa Puerto Madryn. It has a nice hot tub, great customer service, and simple yet comfortable rooms.
Days 6-10 Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego
If someone dares to tell you that five days in Tierra del Fuego are too many for a 3 weeks Argentina itinerary, tell them that Claudia told you otherwise. Honestly, this place is THE THING—so unique, so southernmost, so different from anything else, and you will fall in love with it.
Ushuaia is the perfect access point to explore the region, enjoy the local wildlife, learn about the area’s difficult living conditions, and remain in awe of its magnificent nature.
Make sure to factor in a full day to explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, as it is quite vast and there are lots of hiking trails, viewpoints, and interesting landmarks.
I recommend this Ushuaia: Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour with Lunch. The tour takes you to the best views in Tierra del Fuego, including Acigami Lake. It also includes a guide, lunch, and transportation.
Once you tire of Tierra del Fuego (if that’s even possible), there are many other great outdoor activities in Ushuaia.
You can dedicate half a day to a cruise on the Beagle Channel to admire local wildlife – various species of penguins and sea lions, and if you are lucky, you will also get to spot whales.
I recommend this Ushuaia: Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise. You’ll sail across Ushuaia Bay to Beagle Channel, go through Paso Chico, around Bird’s Island, visit Sea Lion’s Island in the Bridges Archipelago, and a few more places. The catamaran is also nice and comfortable. It’s one of the best days on the water in Ushuaia.
Then, you can hike to Laguna Esmeralda, which is one of the most popular hikes in Patagonia (for good reason). It’s a beautiful, challenging, and definitely exciting day trip from Ushuaia.
I recommend this From Ushuaia: Tierra del Fuego Esmeralda Lagoon Trekking Tour. This activity includes two hours of hiking around Esmeralda with a guide, an hour breakpoint at the lagoon (where you can get some amazing photos), transportation, and lunch.
Another day will be needed to visit Cabo San Pablo, a truly remote place where you will likely be the only one around.
Other things you can do in Tierra del Fuego include fishing and eating king crabs, visiting the beautiful Lago Escondido, walking to Martial Glacier, and visiting a local estancia (farm). There are many in the region, but most are rather touristy. If you are in search of a local one, head to Estancia Rolito, which is still family-run.
For more about Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, read my post, Everything You Need To Know About Ushuaia Patagonia. I dive into more detail about Ushuaia, Patagonia and more important information.
Where to stay in Ushuaia
Oshovia Hostel—This is a good boutique hotel with nice rooms. There’s a beautiful garden, the rooms are large (they even have working desks if you need time at the computer), and they are fully equipped with everything you need. There are also some other convenient services, like a currency exchange, luggage storage, and a shared kitchen.
Gente del Sur-Urbano Centro—This is another popular spot near Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia. Guests enjoy mountain and river views, large rooms, and great customer service.
Aves del Sur—This is a great bed and breakfast with regular rooms and bungalows. It’s very peaceful but conveniently located near many of the best attractions around Ushuaia.
Days 10-16: El Calafate and El Chalten
El Chalten is 1,030 km (640 miles) from Ushuaia. The easiest way to get there is to fly directly from Ushuaia to El Chalten, which takes about an hour and a half.
El Chalten is 213 km (132 miles) from El Calafate. You can take a bus between the two destinations, which takes about 2 hours.
Both places are must-sees in Argentina. In every corner, you’ll find the best hikes, glacier treks, and the heart-racing beauty of El Calafate and El Chalten.
Both of these destinations are mentioned in the previous itinerary, so please scroll up to read about the best things to see, do, and places to stay in El Calafate and El Chalten.
Days 16-20: Iguazu
From El Calafate, you can fly to Iguazu via Buenos Aires. This will be a full day of traveling, so make sure to account for this. But Iguazu Falls is worth every second of the journey.
The magnificent Iguazu Falls are located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, and this Argentina itinerary gives you enough time to visit both sides.
The Brazilian side tends to be very panoramic, while the Argentine one is packed with action. You will see the waterfalls from a variety of perspectives, including going right under them on a boat trip.
You can easily visit Iguazu Falls independently—both the Argentine and Brazilian sides are easy to reach on public transport from the main bus station in Puerto Iguazu. Alternatively, you can join a guided tour.
Iguazu Falls is about 1,200 km (745 miles) from Buenos Aires. This is your last stop on the 3-week Argentina itinerary, so the best thing to do is fly from Puerto Iguazu to Buenos Aires for your final days in beautiful Argentina.
I recommend this Puerto Iguazu: Iguazu Falls Argentinian Side Full-Day Tour. The tour includes roundtrip transportation from Puerto Iguazu, a bilingual guide, and plenty of time to explore and hike around Iguazu Falls.
For something a little different, you can also check out this Iguazu Falls: Gran Aventura Boat and Argentinian Falls Tour. This tour includes a boat ride right up to the falls (be prepared; you will get wet). There’s also plenty of time to explore the national park and trails. Transportation and a guide are both included.
Make sure to read my post, Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Iguazu Falls Argentina, for more information on independent travel, the best ways to see the falls, and some other guided tours I recommend.
Where to stay in Puerto Iguazu
Jasy Hotel—This is one of the best hotels in Puerto Iguazu. The hotel has so much character and quirkiness, with the unique-styled rooms and common areas. It’s also only about 20 km (12 miles) from Iguazu Falls, so it’s a very convenient starting point.
The Host Puerto Iguazu—This is another great hotel with a few more luxury amenities. There’s a sun terrace, a small outdoor swimming pool, common areas, a shared kitchen, a gaming area, and more. The rooms are simple but comfortable and spacious.
Falls Iguazu Hotel & Spa—This is a very popular hotel in Puerto Iguazu. It has a large outdoor swimming pool, spa services, fitness center, bar, and a beautiful garden. The rooms are really nicely decorated, comfortable, and stocked with everything you need for a lovely stay in Iguazu.
Do you have more time?
If you have 4 or 5 extra days to spare in Argentina, I recommend heading to Salta. You can fly there directly from Iguazu. I think it is much better if you rent a car for this last leg of your Argentina itinerary, as it is really the best way to explore the area of the Quebradas.
Salta is a lovely colonial town with an indigenous feel. It is a great access point to Rio Juramento, a perfect location for rafting, ziplining, and exploring the beautiful Quebradas.
Make sure to read my post, A Complete Guide To Salta Argentina, if you need any more persuasion to visit this beautiful region of Argentina. You’ll find the best things to do and places to stay in Salta, as well.
Further Information To Plan Your Trip To Argentina
The best time to visit Argentina
Argentina is a huge country with several climates, so you can expect to find a bit of everything no matter when you go.
For the purpose of this itinerary, you are probably better off traveling between October and April, so between spring and the beginning of fall, when days are long, you have a chance of better weather in Patagonia. Keep in mind that Buenos Aires and Mendoza are terribly hot and sticky during the summer, whereas Iguazu has tropical weather.
How to get to Argentina
The starting point of this Argentina itinerary is Buenos Aires. You will fly into Ezeiza International Airport, which is about 20 km (12.4 miles) out of town. Buenos Aires is a terribly busy city, so depending on where you are staying, it may take you up to two hours to get there!
Make sure to read my post, How To Get From Ezeiza Airport To Buenos Aires. You’ll learn about the best buses, transfer services, and more from the airport to your accommodation in Buenos Aires.
How to move around Argentina
By plane
A country as big as Argentina will require a combination of various transportation modes. Domestic flights in Argentina aren’t terribly expensive if you book them in advance. The only issue is that most of the time, you will have to fly through Buenos Aires (Pistarini Domestic Airport) to catch a connecting flight to your final destination.
The best deals are usually on Norwegian (which actually has really good service) and Aerolinas Argentinas. Latam also has some good deals.
By bus
If you are in no rush, you may want to opt for the occasional bus ride. Distances are such that at times, you may be spending 20+ hours on a bus, but buses are usually very comfortable, with fully reclining seats and an entertainment system, and they will also share some (basic) meals. You should book your bus seats in advance.
By car
Driving in Argentina can be challenging. The distances are terribly long, and in Patagonia, the wind is so powerful that you’ll feel your car may take off at any time.
Having said that, a road trip through Argentina can also be a fun experience, especially if you can break down your trip and visit more places along the way. I have driven myself in the northern provinces (Salta and the Quebradas) and had a blast. Beware that many rental companies will limit the number of km you can cover!
How to move around inside each destination
You’ll likely fly or take a bus between all the major destinations in Argentina. Once in your new destination, your mode of transportation may vary. Most cities and tourist destinations have pretty good bus systems and public transportation. For example, Buenos Aires is the easiest city to explore on foot and with the metro.
And many of the smaller Patagonia towns and villages are super easy to explore on foot. Most of them are just a few small roads with a handful of restaurants and hotels.
If you aren’t renting a car in Argentina, you might want to consider booking tours to many of the major tourist attractions. These tours will organize transportation, making things much easier.
From the Argentina itineraries outlined in this article, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Ushuaia, and Puerto Iguazu all have excellent public transportation options. The other destinations, like Puerto Madryn, El Calafate, and El Chalten are all relatively small, you can walk or take tours to most places.
Conversely, you can also rent a car for a day or two at each destination if you already aren’t doing a road trip.
If you are renting a car in Argentina, I recommend Discover Cars. You can compare cars and prices, pick up the rental car in most cities and towns in Argentina, and even drop it off in a different city if specified in advance. It’s very conveient and reliable!
What to pack
Make sure to pack smartly, as Buenos Aires and Mendoza tend to get very hot in the summer, but Patagonia is mostly windy and chilly. Carry some good layers for Patagonia, as the weather tends to be unpredictable; it may rain, and it is (unsurprisingly) freezing cold on Perito Moreno Glacier. Hiking boots are a must, as well as sun block!
Make sure to read my post, The Perfect Patagonia Packing List, for more tips on the best things to pack for Argentina. It’s really challenging, but as long as you plan and don’t over-pack, you’ll be totally fine!
Further Readings
To help you plan your trip to Argentina, make to read my other posts:
- A Guide To The Greatest Things To Do In Argentina
- Top 13 Things To Do In Rosario Argentina
- 30 Things You Should Consider Before Traveling To Patagonia
- Hiking In Patagonia: 15 Incredible Trails
- The Best Argentine Movies
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