Argentina - Intra-Argentina travel for gringos

Can anyone give me an update on saving money on intra-Argentine travel if you're not a local? I'm going to have a family to move around the country so I need some cheapo transport. Is there currently a residency requirement for the cheapest airfares? Alternatively, any cheapo frequent flyer mileage redemptions (like if I want to go from Iguazu to Patagonia?).

And, perhaps as a last resort, I recall reading of super-luxury long distances buses that are very cheap. Any help on this would also be greatly appreciated. How cheap, and how comfortable? Thanks!

The residency requirements for the best airfare still exist... but as Ive reported before, enforcement is variable. Just remember if you buy these fares and get caught, you will have to face the music. Cant help you on mileage redemptions... but I dont think there will be a good value for mileage.

Long distance bus travel in Argentina will save you money, but if you are going to use the best service on all routes, your savings vs. flying will be diminished... still, if you are in a group of folks this may still be a feasible option, provided you have time to spare as this will take up a lot more time from your overall itinerary.

If you'll be doing multiple flights, it might be a good idea to buy an Air Pass. Looking at the price schedule, fares may be 50-75% of the prevailing non-Argentina rates, and in fact not much more than the local rates.

Lan's Air Pass is described here : http://www.lan.com/en_us/promociones/data/norteamerica/us/todo_el_mundo/saairpass_tabla.html#buenosaires

Note that you need to be entering South America on LAN, or a oneworld carrier, or certain others, and there may be other conditions as well. I think it needs to be purchased prior to your travel to South America.

Aerolineas Argentina seems to have a similar offer as well, but I would stick to LAN.

And, perhaps as a last resort, I recall reading of super-luxury long distances buses that are very cheap. Any help on this would also be greatly appreciated. How cheap, and how comfortable? Thanks!


I wouldn't call it super luxury but here is a short report I posted a few years ago:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/7905071-post85.html

I would forget trying to con the system posing as a resident....it's fraud, pure and simple. It would be highly irresponsible of you to put your family at risk for doing something you do not qualify for and you'll pay a hefty surcharge if caught doing so.
Coach prices have risen sharply over the last few years and aren't the bargain they once were. Despite the increase in prices I have noticed a deterioration on the quality of service on the route that I use regularly. Longer distance routes still provide a high standard of service but you will pay for it and as Gaucho100K has said you have to take the time factor into consideration. Worth doing once just to experience it but I certainly wouldn't like to be doing it regularly during a holiday.
Schultzois has hit the nail on the head with the air pass....the best solution in my opinion if you want to travel long distances quickly and at a decent price.

I also think the air pass is a good option, if you can fulfill the carrier requirements. The long distance bus service can be nice but you have to be traveling the routes that have the luxury service and you have to be able to get seats... this is not always easy.

If you'll be doing multiple flights, it might be a good idea to buy an Air Pass. Looking at the price schedule, fares may be 50-75% of the prevailing non-Argentina rates, and in fact not much more than the local rates.

Don't you need 3 flights for the airpass? We're likely to redeem oneworld miles, so we'd try to fly into one city and out of another (for free), thereby reducing our need for multiple segments. I think 2 would be the max.

I would forget trying to con the system posing as a resident....it's fraud, pure and simple. It would be highly irresponsible of you to put your family at risk for doing something you do not qualify for and you'll pay a hefty surcharge if caught doing so.

While I HATE the idea of charging locals more than foreigners for air travel in a developed country (like travelling with a family, I need the discount as much as anybody else!), I agree that it's foolish to pose like a resident to try to save money: unless of course "everybody" does it and there's no risk of getting caught. I recall long-ago discussion here where people did get busted.

I wouldn't call it super luxury but here is a short report I posted a few years ago:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/7905071-post85.html

Thanks. I think my kids would love the experience (once, at least) and the price seems right. Is there a "how to book a fancy Argentine bus" guide on the web? And how far in advance can you book these things?

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BTW, I thought I saw that AA offer intra-Argentine flights for 10,000 miles. That wouldn't be a great deal, but certainly a plausible one for gringos -- especially if you were flying from one end of the country to the other. I wonder if there are other (perhaps better) ff mileage options. I remember intra-Peru I solved the problem of very high gringo fares by using an astonishingly low Lanpass award promo.

I recall long-ago discussion here where people did get busted.

They do seem to be clamping down on it as there is now a tick box on the website to confirm you are a resident when purchasing a resident fare. I'm sure the odd traveller on their own can still slip through without being challenged. It's not worth getting stressed out just for the sake of saving a few quid....especially with a family in tow. You won't get slung in prison but it could end up costing you three times more to get to your destination.

Thanks. I think my kids would love the experience (once, at least) and the price seems right. Is there a "how to book a fancy Argentine bus" guide on the web? And how far in advance can you book these things?


Really depends where and when you are planning on going. Different coach companies serve different routes...like Via Barlioche (http://viabariloche.com.ar/servicios/) who serve northern Patagonia and the west.Some websites allow online bookings to be made but in my experience they can be a bit flaky.

btw when in Retiro a few weeks ago one of Via Bariloches coaches pulled up beside our old wreck. I saw it had seat back screens on it and looked very comfortable for a long journey.

I think my kids would love the experience (once, at least) and the price seems right. Is there a "how to book a fancy Argentine bus" guide on the web? And how far in advance can you book these things?

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Keep in mind that the prices I mentioned in my report are outdated. You can start your research here:

http://www.omnilineas.com/

Keep in mind that the prices I mentioned in my report are outdated. You can start your research here:

http://www.omnilineas.com/

Thanks. From a practical cost/time standpoint, it would seem that the only "major" bus routing that would make much sense for a typical int'l traveller would be Buenos Aires/Mendoza. The other routes (like to Iguazu or Patagonia) are really too long to be efficient. I personally don't consider an overnight sleeper bus or train to be efficient if you have to leave before 6 pm and arrive after 9 am.

Of course, if the airfares to the more distant destinations are just ridiculous for foreigners (and every traveller has their own definition of "ridiculous") you could chose to use up some vacation time with a very long bus ride.

Thanks. From a practical cost/time standpoint, it would seem that the only "major" bus routing that would make much sense for a typical int'l traveller would be Buenos Aires/Mendoza. The other routes (like to Iguazu or Patagonia) are really too long to be efficient. I personally don't consider an overnight sleeper bus or train to be efficient if you have to leave before 6 pm and arrive after 9 am.

Of course, if the airfares to the more distant destinations are just ridiculous for foreigners (and every traveller has their own definition of "ridiculous") you could chose to use up some vacation time with a very long bus ride.

Agreed!!!! ^

If you'll be doing multiple flights, it might be a good idea to buy an Air Pass. Looking at the price schedule, fares may be 50-75% of the prevailing non-Argentina rates, and in fact not much more than the local rates.

Lan's Air Pass is described here : http://www.lan.com/en_us/promociones/data/norteamerica/us/todo_el_mundo/saairpass_tabla.html#buenosaires

Note that you need to be entering South America on LAN, or a oneworld carrier, or certain others, and there may be other conditions as well. I think it needs to be purchased prior to your travel to South America.

Aerolineas Argentina seems to have a similar offer as well, but I would stick to LAN.


Is that an old link for the Lan Air Pass? I believe many of the flights on the list are no longer offered by Lan.

Thanks. From a practical cost/time standpoint, it would seem that the only "major" bus routing that would make much sense for a typical int'l traveller would be Buenos Aires/Mendoza.

Even that is pushing it.

The wife was trying to persuade me to take the bus to MDZ. When I saw the timetable and then the price I refused point blank to do it. A residents air fare was the same price as the fastest coach yet going by air took a fraction of the time.
I don't mind coach trips as they are in the most part very comfortable. My pet hate with them is that three quarters of the time on the overnight ones is spent in darkness so you don't actually get to see anything.

Thanks. From a practical cost/time standpoint, it would seem that the only "major" bus routing that would make much sense for a typical int'l traveller would be Buenos Aires/Mendoza. The other routes (like to Iguazu or Patagonia) are really too long to be efficient. I personally don't consider an overnight sleeper bus or train to be efficient if you have to leave before 6 pm and arrive after 9 am.

Of course, if the airfares to the more distant destinations are just ridiculous for foreigners (and every traveller has their own definition of "ridiculous") you could chose to use up some vacation time with a very long bus ride.The bus is certainly worth it, even on the 17h ride to Iguazú.

It's $125 for the most expensive flat bed on the bus, vs. $350 in airfare, plus, add in the $100 or so per person in hotel savings.

Sure, you miss a night out in Buenos Aires, but you get there about the same time you would had you taken an early morning flight.

Sure, you miss a night out in Buenos Aires, but you get there about the same time you would had you taken an early morning flight.

Same on the bus to Mendoza where there is a price benefit if you can not buy the airline tickets at the 'resident' rate.;)

Can I assume that the likelihood of finding a "reasonable" gringo airfare from Argentine Patagonia (El Calafate, Rio Gallegos, etc.) to Buenos Aires is low?

I'm beginning to plan a trip for later this year and looking at my frequent flyer options. AA doesn't allow stopovers anymore, so if I want to stop in BA, I'd have to pay my (and my family's) own way. I've been to BA so many times that the stopover is not worth hundreds of dollars per ticket to me, so if I don't think there's "a deal", I'll forego it.

BTW, it seems like LAN Argentina does not load schedules (and fares) as far in advance as LAN Chile. So for planning ahead (and snagging the free USA-SA flights), it's easier to get to Patagonia flying into Chile than flying into Argentina. Also, as a gringo, you can find cheap intra-Chilean fares, while you can't seem to do that in Argentina.

Remember that a good way to lower your domestic flight cost is to get one of those Visit Argentina type tickets... there are strings to this but if your incoming fare is elegible, you can still fly and save some $$$.

Also have a look at a travel agent site like Despegar They sometimes offer flight/hotel packages that can be good value from Buenos Aires.

www.despegar.com.ar

Remember that a good way to lower your domestic flight cost is to get one of those Visit Argentina type tickets... there are strings to this but if your incoming fare is elegible, you can still fly and save some $$$.

Yeah, and even most ff award tickets are eligible for these fares. But they usually require 3 segments, which is often 1 more than most folks need (the airlines are not stupid, I suppose).

Also have a look at a travel agent site like Despegar They sometimes offer flight/hotel packages that can be good value from Buenos Aires.

Ah, I remember reading about these a couple years ago. No residency requirement for these packages, right? How good are the bargains?

The problem is with AA award tickets these days (no stopovers allowed), I usually need a buy a single one-way intra-Argentine ticket. Like I can get award tickets for USA-Patagonia and Buenos Aires-USA and just need a cheap Patagonia-BA gringo fare.

iahphx,

I just found this thread, as I seem to be in a similar situation to you. I'm looking for intra-AR flights and I am shocked at how expensive they are. I've found the site that describes the airpass: http://www.lan.com/en_us/promociones/data/norteamerica/us/todo_el_mundo/saairpass_preg.html

Then they tell you where the offices are so you can book, but don't give phone numbers. I suppose it won't be difficult to look them up, but they sure don't make it easy to inquire about/purchase this airpass.

We are flying into BA on AA and then looking to go BA-MDZ-BA-Calafate-BA before we fly back to the States, so we may qualify for this, subject to flight availability. I'm going to call them tonight and I'll be back here with any answers I find.

Unfortunately, Aero Lineas is the airline with much more flight availability (we're going in March), but I hear horror stories. Is it really that bad?

Hey Joe --

It looks like you've got 3 segments (the pass minimum) so I'm guessing this would work best for you. Let us know what you find.

I've flow Aerolineas before and they were fine. They are not as good as LAN. But if it were materially cheaper, I would not hesitate to fly them. You'll get there.

LAN gives a discount on their airpass to folks arriving in S. America on a OneWorld carrier, so sometimes that's cheaper.

My problem is that I only need one segment, and it's not worth much to me. I've been to BA lots of times; I'd like to stop on my way back from Patagonia, but I'm not going to pay a lot for the opportunity. I need the cheapo domestic fares, like they have in Chile!

iahphx,

I just found this thread, as I seem to be in a similar situation to you. I'm looking for intra-AR flights and I am shocked at how expensive they are. I've found the site that describes the airpass: http://www.lan.com/en_us/promociones/data/norteamerica/us/todo_el_mundo/saairpass_preg.html

Then they tell you where the offices are so you can book, but don't give phone numbers. I suppose it won't be difficult to look them up, but they sure don't make it easy to inquire about/purchase this airpass.

We are flying into BA on AA and then looking to go BA-MDZ-BA-Calafate-BA before we fly back to the States, so we may qualify for this, subject to flight availability. I'm going to call them tonight and I'll be back here with any answers I find.

Unfortunately, Aero Lineas is the airline with much more flight availability (we're going in March), but I hear horror stories. Is it really that bad?

I really wouldn't discount the buses as an alternative to flights. They're very comfortable, you get "fed" (bring snacks,) and you only lose an evening while saving on airfare and hotel for a night.

We used them for BA to: Iguazu, Mendoza, Salta, and one-way to Bariloche; never felt like it was a bad idea. I can't remember but I believe we used one of those sites (omnilineas, maybe) to check schedules and then booked through the individual bus line's site.

I really wouldn't discount the buses as an alternative to flights. They're very comfortable, you get "fed" (bring snacks,) and you only lose an evening while saving on airfare and hotel for a night.

We used them for BA to: Iguazu, Mendoza, Salta, and one-way to Bariloche; never felt like it was a bad idea. I can't remember but I believe we used one of those sites (omnilineas, maybe) to check schedules and then booked through the individual bus line's site.

Yeah, there's some good information about the buses earlier in this thread. I've never taken them, so I'm not an authority on the matter, but they seem pretty darn time consuming -- and not terribly cheap (for the nice buses) -- for the longer distances. Like El Calafate-Buenos Aires does not seem like a plausible bus route for the time sensitive traveller.

Yeah, there's some good information about the buses earlier in this thread. I've never taken them, so I'm not an authority on the matter, but they seem pretty darn time consuming -- and not terribly cheap (for the nice buses) -- for the longer distances. Like El Calafate-Buenos Aires does not seem like a plausible bus route for the time sensitive traveller.

Sorry, only did a quick read-through of the thread before posting.. agree that there's solid info about buses posted earlier. And BA-Calafate would be a monstrous journey. The routes that we took were my upper limit.

After spending 24 hours to get to Argentina, most of it in an airplane seat, the last thing I'd way to do is get into a bus seat for another 24 hours. I sort of don't go for the "save a hotel-night" reasoning. What you are saving is the equivalent of a hostel-night in a 50-person dorm. On a longer trip, after I had spent a week forgetting about the journey, maybe I could stand a bus ride, but probably not a long one.

After spending 24 hours to get to Argentina, most of it in an airplane seat, the last thing I'd way to do is get into a bus seat for another 24 hours. I sort of don't go for the "save a hotel-night" reasoning. What you are saving is the equivalent of a hostel-night in a 50-person dorm. On a longer trip, after I had spent a week forgetting about the journey, maybe I could stand a bus ride, but probably not a long one.

Fair enough. My trips were spread over months (although I never had a 24 hour bus ride, and luckily my flight down was ~10 hours.)

I don't think it will help me for this trip because I'm just looking for a one-way intra-Argentine ticket, but does anybody have more info on the local "packages" out of BA that might include airfare that could be used by foreigners?

My hunch is that could be very useful given the gringo surcharge on airfare-only reservations. Thank you.

I just got off the phone with them and inquired about the Airpass. Confirmed - you need at least 3 segments. I originally asked for BA-MDZ-Calafate-BA. The man said that there are no available flights from March 5-15 from Calafate-BA. There must be something going on during those two weeks? So I had him price out BA-MDZ-Bariloche-BA and the total fare per person was US$816.63. Then, I went onto LAN.com and priced this same trip myself and it totaled $905.59. So the savings is a little under US$100, not as significant as I expected.

However, I think we really want to go to Calafate and not Bariloche, so I'm going to check out Aerolineas, although I still haven't heard anything great about it :confused:

I just got off the phone with them and inquired about the Airpass. Confirmed - you need at least 3 segments. I originally asked for BA-MDZ-Calafate-BA. The man said that there are no available flights from March 5-15 from Calafate-BA. There must be something going on during those two weeks? So I had him price out BA-MDZ-Bariloche-BA and the total fare per person was US$816.63. Then, I went onto LAN.com and priced this same trip myself and it totaled $905.59. So the savings is a little under US$100, not as significant as I expected.

However, I think we really want to go to Calafate and not Bariloche, so I'm going to check out Aerolineas, although I still haven't heard anything great about it :confused:

Jeez, it sounds like even the airpass is a bad deal.

These Argentine airlines are going to lose a lot of gringo travellers. It's just not worth it.

Since I'm not flying into EZE on AA, I can't use the Lan airpass. In checking on kayak.com, I was able to book the above itinerary for under $400 on Orbitz. Lan.com kept giving me an error message when I tried to book it directly there.

My routing is shorter than yours, but you may wish to try kayak.com

Thanks. Just tried Kayak and same exact rate on my itinerary

Just an additional heads-up that for individual flights (which under many circumstances don't price up to much more than Airpass types of prices), a bit of patience, persistence, and careful timing with LAN can pay off.

I have some friends traveling around Patagonia in the next few weeks, and I will plan to join them for some time in Ushuaia and El Calafate. Most of the LAN flights tend to show up as sold out most of the time, but for the last several nights in a row, if you check online overnight or first thing in the morning, a few seats open up.

My best guess as to why this happens, is that LAN.com allows you to place seats on hold for seven days - much longer than the average airline hold, and as such I expect that there's always a pretty large number of not-yet-purchased reservations that eventually expire.

When I started looking at flights to join my friends, LAN had nothing, and the Aerolineas flights were often US$400/segment. Within a few days of checking at strategic times in the early mornings, I have all the segments I want (and have even moved my friends off Aerolineas onto a better-timed LAN flight) and no segment is more than US$200.

I've had both good and bad experiences using the LAN airpass.

A couple of years ago, i used it to go from EZE-SCL-EZE/AEP-USH-AEP for a prety decent fare. My US-EZE inbound flight went mechanical and had an 18+ hour delay. LAN was really nice about rebooking affected segments so that flexibility was great.

I'm planning out a trip for the fall now and it i'm having problems getting it price out. When I do the segments on the website, it gives me a price of $575 or so and then when I select the flights, it comes out to over $900. Not sure what is causing that.

I ended up playing for hours with ITA last night and did similar routing on my own on LAN for $600 which I'll book directly.

What you are saving is the equivalent of a hostel-night in a 50-person dorm.If you were not on a bus, you'd be spending the night in a 50 person hostel/dorm, not mid/up-market hotel?

I'm not sure that's the argument you're trying to make.

If you were not on a bus, you'd be spending the night in a 50 person hostel/dorm, not mid/up-market hotel?

I'm not sure that's the argument you're trying to make.

Some people argue that you are saving the cost of a hotel room by sleeping the night in a bus. However, my argument is that you are not saving the cost of a hotel room, because a night on the bus is more or less equivalent to staying in a 50-person dorm.

Some people argue that you are saving the cost of a hotel room by sleeping the night in a bus. However, my argument is that you are not saving the cost of a hotel room, because a night on the bus is more or less equivalent to staying in a 50-person dorm.

Indeed.....a very good point. ^

Indeed.....a very good point. ^

Yeah, I wouldn't take the bus to save a hotel expense -- especially in a country like Argentina, which isn't particularly expensive.

But I might do it to save time. If you have limited time, overnight transport can be very "efficient."

Some people argue that you are saving the cost of a hotel room by sleeping the night in a bus. However, my argument is that you are not saving the cost of a hotel room, because a night on the bus is more or less equivalent to staying in a 50-person dorm.Most people would say "I saved $200 in accommodations by paying $0 instead of $200."

But if in your world, $200 -$0 = $25, that's cool with me. ^