Categories
Argentina travel guide

Getting from Santiago de Chile to Mendoza

Santiago de Chile is the capital of Chile and also an important travel hub in South America. The city offers a lot of interesting places to visit and things to do. It is also a very good base for exploring the near-by cities and countries.

Quick summary

The cheapest option for traveling between Santiago and Mendoza is the bus. Although it’s a 6 hrs ride crossing mountains – which can be a problem for those with motion sickness – the scenery is amazing. Catch a bus in the morning to enjoy the views.

Flights from Santiago (airport code: SCL) to Mendoza

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), also known as Santiago International Airport is located 15 km from the capital of Santiago. There is no local public transport option to get into the city , but there are two airport buses which you can use. The airport is hub for LAN Airlines, Sky Airline and PAL Airlines. It is the 7th busiest airport in Latin America and handles direct flights from Europe, the Americas and Oceania.

Mendoza is served by a small airport, Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (MDZ) , also known as El Plumerillo International Airport. It is located 8 km from the city center and is not hub for any airline.

There are direct flights between Santiago and Mendoza operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Chile. The flight time is 40 min. In late May 2012 expect to pay from US$401 one way on Aerolíneas Argentinas. Slightly cheaper are the connecting flights via Buenos Aires (fares starting at US$378 one way).

>>book a flight to Mendoza

Buses from Santiago to Mendoza

There are many bus companies operating direct buses between the two cities:

  • Andesmar Bus Company : single fares start at AR$150 / US$34 and all buses leave in the morning (8 a.m,. 8:30 a.m. , 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m.)
  • CATA Internacional : single fares start at AR $190 / US$43.10 and all buses leave in the morning (7:30 am. , 9 a.m. , 10:30 a.m.)
  • El Rapido International : single fares start at AR$150 / US$34 and there are three buses leaving in the morning (8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m.) and three more in the afternoon/evening (1 p.m. , 10:30 p.m.)

You can purchase the tickets online but make sure to do that a week or so before departure.

The travel time between Santiago and Mendoza is about 6-7 hours (but it does depend on how long you’ll stay at the border crossing). However, you’ll be rewarded with lovely views along the way. And if you want to enjoy these views, choose a bus which leaves in the morning.

The buses drop you at the bus station in Mendoza, which is 20-30 min walk from the main plaza. Buses depart from Santiago’s Terminal Alameda.

Driving from Santiago to Mendoza

If you plan to rent a car and drive the 365 km between the two cities, make sure to ask the rental company if you are allowed to take the car across the border. The scenery along the way is fantastic but be prepared for many curves and challenging road conditions. The drive time is about 5 ½ h but you also need to consider the time spent at the border crossing.

View Larger Map

Photo credit

Categories
Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Mendoza

Mendoza is the center of the wine industry in Argentina. It is also close to the Aconcagua, the world’s second highest peak. It is a popular vacation spot both for those who want to enjoy some wine tasting and those looking for an adventure. During winter (June to late August), the area draws many snow enthusiasts as it is home to great ski centers. It would be a shame to visit Argentina and not plan to stop in Mendoza, as well.

Quick summary

Although you can fly between Buenos Aires and Mendoza, the plane ticket is more than double than the bus ticket. If you are in a hurry and the budget isn’t an issue, then you can fly between the two cities in 2 hours. Otherwise, choose a night bus. You’ll be traveling for about 14 hours and you can choose a night bus and sleep the entire length of the trip.

Flights from Buenos Aires (airport code: AEP) to Mendoza

The main airport serving Buenos Aires is Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), which handles all international flights and some domestic ones. It is the largest airport in Argentina and a hub for Aerolineas Argentinas , LAN Airlines and SkyTeam. Most domestic flights depart from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP).

Mendoza is served by a small airport, El Plumerillo (MDZ) which receives flights from Buenos Aires (from both airports), run by Aerlonieas Argentinas and LAN Argentina.

It’s cheaper to fly from Buenos Aires’ Aeroparque airport (AEP) into Mendoza than to fly from the main airport. Flights start at US$215 one way on LAN Airlines. The travel time is about 2 hours.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Buenos Aires

Buses from Buenos Aires to Mendoza

There are more than 10 companies that offer daily direct connections between Buenos Aires and Mendoza. The travel time is between 13h 30 min and 14 h 30 min, depending on the type of bus and company. There are departures during the day but you can also choose a night bus. Tickets cost between 350 Argentine pesos / US$83.50 and 470 Argentine pesos / US$112, per person, one way.

Some of the companies offering connections between the two cities are: Cata Internacional, El Rapido Internacional , Viajes Sendas, Andesmar and Flecha Bus.

Buses depart from Terminal Retiro in Buenos Aires and arrive at Terminal de Mendoza.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Argentina

Driving from Buenos Aires to Mendoza

Although the driving distance between Buenos Aires and Mendoza is long (1049 km), you can turn this journey into a lovely road trip. So, rent a car and prepare for about 12 hours of driving. Make sure to allow for stops along the way and remember that you’ll also be driving on toll roads.

View Larger Map

Photo credit

Categories
Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Montevideo (and return)

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay , located on the bank of the Rio de la Plata. The Old Town, along with the squares and museums can keep you occupied for several days. Montevideo is located close to Buenos Aires and many travelers choose to visit both cities on their vacation.

Quick summary

Choosing the means of transportation is a matter of deciding how fast you want to travel between the two cities and what your budget can accommodate. It’s slightly more expensive (from US$73 one way) to travel by plane but you get between Buenos Aires and Montevideo in less than an hour. If you have more time on your hands and you are on a budget, the ferry is a good alternative (from US$41 one way) and you get between the two cities in 3 hours.

Flights from Buenos Aires (airport code: EZE) to Montevideo

Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is the international airport serving the capital of Buenos Aires. It is also the country’s largest airport and a hub for Aerolineas Argentinas , LAN Airlines and SkyTeam.

Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD) serves Montevideo and is the largest airport in Uruguay. It is hub for Pluna.

Flights between the two cities are operated by Aerolineas Argentinas, BQB Lineas Aereas, Pluna and Sol Lineas Aereas. Most fights connect to/from Ezeiza , but Sol flies on the secondary airport in Buenos Aires (Aeroparque – AEP) and Pluna has flights on both airports serving Argentina’s capital.

If you fly from Ezeiza, fares start from US$73 per person, one way on Aerolineas Argentinas or Pluna. It’s more expensive to fly from Aeroparque as flights start at US$132 per person, one way on the same airlines. The travel time is 45 min.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Buenos Aires

Boats from Buenos Aires to Montevideo

It is possible to take a high-speed ferry between Buenos Aires and Montevideo. The ferries are operated by Buquebus . The travel time is 3h 15 min and the tickets start at $178.42 UYU / US$41 (promo web). There are several departures per day , the earliest being at 8 a.m.

In Montevideo, the ferry terminal is in Ciudad Vieja district, which is located close to downtown.

Buses from Buenos Aires to Montevideo

Three bus companies offer connections between Buenos Aires and Montevideo. The travel time is about 8 h and the tickets start at 160 Argentine peso / US$38 per person, one way. There are departures during the day, but there are also night buses.

Buses depart from Terminal Retiro in central Buenos Aires and arrive at Terminal de Montevideo (Tres Cruces).

Photo credit

Categories
travel guide Vietnam

Bus Travel in Vietnam

Flying is the fastest way to travel within the country, but it’s also the most expensive (although compared to other countries, it’s still cheap). Traveling by bus in Vietnam is the most popular way to get around the country if you are on a low budget. You can stop wherever you want, stay there as much as you want and then continue your journey. Compared to the train, the bus hardly offers a comfortable trip (it most often is described as feeling like in a sardine can). However, it remains the cheapest way to get around Vietnam.

Getting to/from Vietnam by bus – from another country

There are boarding crossings with Cambodia, China and Laos. All can be used by foreign travelers. In general, traveling to Vietnam by bus can be just as uncomfortable as traveling within the country. But do add the facts that: you’ll be hassled by those who can obtain the visas for you (for money , of course), you’ll wait for hours at border crossings and you’ll travel with cargo (including live animals). There are VIP buses available as well.

Getting around Vietnam by bus – from one city to another

Long-distance buses connect most cities in Vietnam. Do plan to travel either early in the morning or during the night, in order to avoid both the traffic and the afternoon showers. The road speeds are low and you’ll end up traveling 8 hours to cover 276 km. Do remember that Vietnamese buses are made for the locals and Westerners might find them too small and uncomfortable.

The open tour buses are run by many companies and are designed for travelers. They offer door-to-door service at very low prices (i.e.US$20-25 to get from Hanoi to Saigon). You can stop any time you want and resume travel at your own leisure.

Be careful and keep your eyes on your possessions at all time, especially on the night buses. Typically, a travel lock will do the trick. And try not to show your expensive items. Stick to the good old mp3 player or reading a book (during the day). When you arrive at the destination and you are asked if you have booked a hotel, the answer is always “yes” (in order to avoid the taxi scams).

Getting around Vietnam by bus- within a city

In Hanoi the public buses are cheap and scam free. But they are a bit hard to figure out at first. There are 60 bus lines and the flat fare is 3000 dong.

In Saigon there are 150 bus routes. All buses are bright green, so they are hard to miss. Public bus travel in Saigon is cheap, safe and not crowded.

Photo credit

Categories
Edinburgh Planning a Trip Things to Do

Edinburgh: getting around by bus…ahh, I mean coach

By bus (coach)

The Edinburgh bus network is cheap, extensive and frequent making it the easiest and most cost effective way of navigating the city. Local bus companies offer daily tickets, which allow you unlimited travel in and around Edinburgh. You buy these tickets, and single journey tickets, on board the bus from the driver – remember that no change is given, so you’ll need the exact fare. Also remember to grab your single journey ticket from the red vending machine beside the driver. Otherwise you might be rewarded with an embarrassing mid-trip conversation with a grumpy ticket officer.

If you’re heading further beyond Edinburgh, you can buy your coach tickets for UK and Scottish travel from the bus station in St Andrew Square in advance. And if you’re heading to the airport a regular express service runs from Waverley Bridge to Edinburgh Airport, with pick up points along the way.

You can also take in the sights of the city on one of the many Edinburgh bus tours – City Bus Tour tickets can be bought in person at the Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre, 3 Princes Street or on Waverley Bridge, which is where the tours start.

The following companies can provide more information

For travel in and around Edinburgh including Edinburgh Airport, city bus tours and night buses Lothian Buses contact number – 0131 555 6363

For Travel in and around Edinburgh, Central and The Borders
First Buses contact number – 08708 72 72 71