How to get to | Argentina

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the contact me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Argentina

Source: J Kikuchi

Argentina is a huge country, accessible by land, sea and air. There are buses from all neighbouring countries. By sea there are ferries from Chile in the far south and Uruguay across the Rio del Plata, plus cruise ships on the Patagonia and Antarctica circuit.

Flights to Argentina include the following airlines (mostly to Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport)

• Star Alliance - Air Canada, Continental, Lufthansa, South African, United
• Oneworld - American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, LAN (including subsidiaries), Mexicana, Qantas
• Sky Team - Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, Delta
• Other - most main South American airlines including Aerolineas Argentinas

Note flights to/from Uruguay and domestic use Buenos Aires Newquay airport.

TIP Intra-South America air travel sold in South America is cheaper than the same flights sold on US or international websites or travel agencies.

TIP While air fares to South America are often high, there can be some great savings during sales from USA and Canada in particular.

TIP South America is difficult to include on a Star Alliance RTW due to lack of a connection across the Pacific Ocean. Consider taking a side-trip (separate ticket) from USA.

TIP With LAN Argentina now a member of Oneworld and the resumption of Qantas service, Buenos Aires is almost as good a hub as Santiago for intra-South America travel. This applies for both awards and around the world tickets.

UPDATED November 2009 - Mexicana joins Oneworld and Continental switch from Sky Team to Star Alliance. No change to advice.