By Bus or By Plane? How To Travel in Argentina on a Budget

The one thing most travellers forget to take into account when visiting Argentina is the sheer size of the country. Because of these vast distances between destinations, what you end up spending most of your budget on is getting around Argentina, which isn't cheap. Luckily budget travel in Argentina is not impossible. Here is a breakdown of the various ways of getting around the country, to help you find the best one for your budget and schedule.

[caption id="attachment_6703" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Aerolineas Argentinas, Argentina's national carrier, is one way to travel in Argentina / source[/caption]

By Plane

South America as a whole generally doesn't have much in the way of internal budget airlines. Air tickets can be expensive in Argentina, especially as there is a price difference for foreigners, but you can still find good deals.

What you need to know:

First of all, book early. If you're planning on travelling to more than one destination within Argentina, then consider buying an airpass. Keep an eye out for Aerolineas Argentinas' Visit Argentina Pass and LAN's South America Pass. These passes allow you to book a set number of flights, which are good value for money, especially if your route includes flights to more far-flung places like Ushuaia.

It is often cheaper to buy your flights from within Argentina, even if this means setting the website's location to Argentina. However, make sure you note that you are not an Argentine national, otherwise you will have to pay the difference in price at the airport. Other ways to find cheap flights is to shop around, using sites like Kayak and Skycanner and to book tickets during the week. LAN also runs some incredible promotions, so if you time your trip right, you can save a lot of money on airfare.

Pros/Cons: Flying is the fastest way of getting around. While it is a bit more expensive than the bus, if you're on a tight schedule you might decide the time gained is worth the extra money.

[caption id="attachment_2582" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Long distance buses are the preferred method of budget travel in Argentina / source[/caption]

By Bus

Bus travel is not only a cheaper way of travelling in Argentina, it is also an experience most tourists rave about. Bus travel in Argentina is on another level to most other countries' long distance bus services. Comfortable seats, onboard meals, drinks (including wine and champagne), stewards serving you and en-route entertainment. Plus, if you're travelling on the Andesmar fleet, enjoy a game of bingo with a bottle of wine up for grabs for the winner.

What you need to know:

There are three classes available: Semi-Cama, Cama and Cama Suite (or Ejecutivo). Semi-Cama is on par with typical long distance buses elsewhere in the world, with seats that recline slightly and a bit more room than on a typical airplane in economy class. Cama, usually on the bottom level of the bus, is a lot more roomy with greater reclining space/angle. Cama Suite is the most comfortable option, with the seat reclining all the way down to make a proper bed. There is some variation between bus companies and routes in the service that comes with each class. Check with the company beforehand to see what is included in your ticket.

Take something warm with. Buses usually put the AC on full blast. While some services offer blankets, this varies between companies, so be sure to pack warm clothes in case, regardless of the season. Also pack extra snacks. While there are meals on board, the quality can vary, and it's better to be safe than hungry!

Bus tickets can be bought online through the following sites: Plataforma 10 and Omnilineas. Alternatively, if you're in Buenos Aires already, you can buy tickets at one of these outlets or at the Retiro station, on the first floor. Here you will find the offices of more than 80 bus companies that operate across the country as well as some international routes.

Pros/Cons: This is a comfortable way to travel and save money, plus you get to see some of the countryside along the way. However, because of the long distances, you could be in for anything from a 17 hour ride (Buenos Aires to Iguazu) or around 50 hours to get to Ushuaia. Because of the distances travelled, bus tickets are not always that cheap, and you might find the difference between the bus and flight price is minimal enough to make the plane the better option.

[caption id="attachment_2588" align="aligncenter" width="540"] La Trochita in Pagatonia is a wonderful alternative way of getting around Argentina / source[/caption]

By Train

There is a third, less-used option for budget travel in Argentina. Embrace your inner Paul Theroux, and take a leisurely, and cheap, trip across Argentina on board a train.

What you need to know:

It's cheap. You can travel for as little as 45 pesos from Buenos Aires to Tucumán, from where it's a short hop over to Salta and Jujuy. However, because tickets are cheap, they sell out quickly so be sure to book in advance. Check the schedules and prices for trains within Buenos Aires Province. In addition, there are also a number of tourist trains, namely La Trochita, in Patagonia, the Southern Fuegian Railway, in Tierra del Fuego National Park, and the Train to the Clouds in Salta, which are more expensive but also great alternative ways of getting around and doing some sightseeing at the same time.

You can book one of four classes on trains in Argentina, ranging form Turista, the most basic class, to Coche de Cama, the sleeper compartments. Compared to the price of the bus and airplanes, even first class is cheap.

Pros/Cons: This is by far the cheapest way of getting around Argentina on a tight budget, and with the best views of the changing landscapes. However, the destinations are limited, the journey takes long because the trains travel slowly, it is the least comfortable of the three options, and Argentina doesn't have a stellar track record when it comes to its train network.

When booking your trip to Argentina, spend some time studying the map. If you plan your trip effectively, allowing enough time to travel across the expansive distances, you can significantly lower the cost of your trip. It is worth comparing prices for each leg of the journey across the various modes of transport, because there are always good deals to be found!

Budget Travel in Argentina is even easier with Argentina4u's great deals. Keep an eye on our packages and promotions to save money while seeing more!

Written by: Nicole Eberhard For: Argentina4u