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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.

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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.

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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).

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