I think I want to fly a long leg into EZE (because my preferred airline, AA, offers wonderful 777 w/ First Suite equipment on this route), but my actual final destination is MVD, some 140 miles away.

Aerolineas Argentinas (sp?) used to fly that route, but now that they're gone (bankrupt?), the air options seem to be United flight 761/762 and Lloyd Aereo Boliviano 931/700 (according to Expedia), and in fact only the United flight works for me given the timing of the AA flights to and from the US. What are the other choices (other than air)?

Am I crazy to take this routing -- rather than fly AA on a 767 through GRU, or just take United for that matter?

Thoughts on an interline transfer (between AA and UA, no less!) at GRU?

If you are willing to bus it to AEP (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery), there are many flights on Pluna as well as on TAM Mercosur. WWW. itn.net shows you more options for travel outside the U.S.

I'm considering going to MVD using points. Debating between business or first to MVD, so I guess its via GRU on AA 767-300. Any idea if the 767s on this are worth the first vs business?

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-Shaown

Two thoughts for you. If I was going first class on AA miles, I would opt for TAM into GRU and then AA into MVD. The food on TAM is GREAT! I will admit the seats on a first class AA 777 are probably better, but I really liked TAM. Secondly, the trip from EZE to the downtown airport is time consuming and a hassel, in opinion. If I was flying into EZE on AA, I would connect with the UA afternoon flight.

I think that AA has Santiago de Chile on sale. (I think that the sale is only for coach seats.) Presumably LAN Chile would have some flights into Montevideo.

If you want to fly via Brazil, you could continue to MVD on Varig. Also, you can take a hydrofoil to MVD from Puerto Madero, in downtown Buenos Aires.

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Gaucho100K

A hydrofoil certainly sounds like fun. How often do they run? How expensive? Duration of the trip?

How hard will it be to get from the EZE airport to the hydrofoil that will take me to MVD? Just a regular taxi ride, right?

Sorry, dont have all the details, but do a search for buquebus and/or ferrylineas on the internet and you will hit their website. You can take a taxi or a bus service (Manuel Tienda Leon) to Puerto Madero.

For anyone else interested in this, see http://www.bairesport.gov.ar/ingenieria/depoper/ferries.htm for ferry and bus times.

I'm a little confused about what's what on that page: The bus schedule at the top of the page seems pretty clear to me. But otherwise, I'm unclear on which cities/ports (?) are where, and which way is going and which is coming ("ida" and "vuelta"). Seems like the fastest ferry is perhaps only twice a day on weekdays -- and at 9:30 in the morning from Buenos Aires to Montevideo as best I can tell... If so, not so helpful for me, I think? (My flight will arrive EZE sometime between 9 and 10AM, depending on where I connect in the US.)

Uh, and there's also the English version http://www.bairesport.gov.ar/principal-e.htm .

See also a review of the ferry: http://www.simonbone.com/punta.html , Fodors http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=buenos_aires@38&cur_section=tra , and finally the second ferry -- apparently the better one, according to Fodors, for its more frequent service -- at http://www.buquebus.com/ingles/Index_ingles.htm .


Well, looks like this might just work for me. Question is now primarily whether connection times will work out.


[This message has been edited by bedelman (edited 07-10-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bedelman:
A hydrofoil certainly sounds like fun. How often do they run? How expensive? Duration of the trip?</font>

Did anyone take the Hydrofoil?

I have taken the hydrofoil back and forth. It was fine, and took 2 to 2 1/2 hours. I don't remember the cost but it was under US$100. The so-called river that it crosses is more like a BIG bay or even part of the ocean.

The Ferry & Hydrofoil service is managed by BuqueBus. They leave from the Puerto Madero area and are a very convenient way to get to Uruguay.

Else, AEP flights on AeroVip have some ongoing promos that are attractively priced.

AA has announced they are starting up nonstop MIA-MVD service.

That said, if you're up for a journey I'd recommend the ferry, it's fun. There are the fast and slow ferries to both MVD and also Colonia de Sacramento. If you get a chance, definately try to go through Colonia on one way, it's worth the trip and stay over a night. Some very nice small hotels there as well.

The ferry can be expensive, so definately look into hotel/ferry packages offered by Buquebus, they can save substantially. However, keep in mind that nice 3-4 star Montevideo hotels go for about $30 per night walk-in including breakfast.

I loved Colonia when I was there 8 years ago. Cobblestone streets, quiet and peaceful. I rented a moped.

Lots of very old US cars, like from the 40's. Saw the same in Montevideo. Is that still the case?

I'll be in EZE over Thanksgiving. I should visit Uruguay again. Thanks for the idea! :)

As of 25 July 2006, one can book REALLY cheap tickets EZE-MVD via United's Argentina website (http://www.united.com.ar) The cost: USD50 all-in.

having taken the hydrofoil and the flight to mvd, i would highly receommend the hydrofoil...it may take a bit more time but it is center-to-center transport ^

Did anyone take the Hydrofoil?

I agree with arfgoblue - Buquebús (English language link) (http://www.buquebus.com/BuquebusLocal/servlet/com.buquebus.web.ArmaOfertasPrincipalEng) provides a decent and fast service from Bs As Dársena Norte (no more than 2 km from the centre of town) to Montevideo.

The fast (1 hour) hydrofoil costs, one way, no deals for round trip unless part of a package or excursion, ARS $ / Argentine pesos:

Tourist Class - ARS 119 / USD 38.76
First Class - ARS 136 / USD 44.30
Special Class - ARS 146 / USD 47.56

You can choose three hour direct or the 3:00 ship to Colonia del Sacramento + 2:30 bus option, of course...

(USD$1.00 = ARS$3.07 today)

The Duty Free shopping aboard is very popular. :D

Buquebus is mostly what I've done on this route too. Even on the slower boat you'll get more on board entertainment than in-flight entertainment on an AA MD-80. :D That is, they sometimes have a movie on. And like AA, whether you can hear it or not is another matter. :D

Sometimes I'd almost pay more NOT to hear the entertainment! The "Primera" and "Ejecutiva" busses in Latin America are great examples that generate those feelings. (At least they didn't get the "Raymond" reruns and dub them... ) :D

Buquebus is mostly what I've done on this route too. Even on the slower boat you'll get more on board entertainment than in-flight entertainment on an AA MD-80. :D That is, they sometimes have a movie on. And like AA, whether you can hear it or not is another matter. :D

A quick Buquebus question that I can't seem to find the answer to...

Are there any notable differences among the the three classes of service - turista, primera, and especial?

Thanks.