Getting Around Buenos Aires: Transportation Tips for Visitors
Getting Around Buenos Aires: How to Decide What Works Best as a Visitor
Getting around Buenos Aires can feel overwhelming at first because it’s one of Latin America’s largest cities. For most visitors, the real question isn’t what transportation exists, but how to get around Buenos Aires safely and efficiently based on distance, time of day, and neighborhood. Buenos Aires is divided into many neighborhoods, and the best way to get around Buenos Aires often changes depending on where you’re going. This guide focuses on Buenos Aires transportation from a visitor’s point of view, based on what actually worked during my trip.
A Simple Way to Decide How to Get Around Buenos Aires
Here’s the approach that worked best for me:
Walking in Buenos Aires made sense for central sightseeing days when I wanted to see more along the way.
The Buenos Aires subway (Subte) was useful for longer distances and quick hops across neighborhoods.
Taxis and Uber in Buenos Aires worked best for late arrivals, airport trips, and areas like La Boca.
This page is meant to help visitors decide how to get around Buenos Aires, not explain every transportation option in the city.
Getting Around Buenos Aires - Table of Contents
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Buenos Aires Neighborhoods and Safety
I quickly learned that each Buenos Aires neighborhoods safety plays a big role in deciding how to get around. Some neighborhoods felt comfortable to walk during the day, while others were better reached by taxi or Uber. Knowing which barrio you’re traveling to matters, since not all neighborhoods are on the subway route and some areas are less safe to walk.
Walking in Buenos Aires
One of the most common questions visitors ask is is Buenos Aires safe to walk. In my experience, walking in Buenos Aires worked very well in central neighborhoods during the day, as long as I paid attention to neighborhood boundaries and avoided certain areas.
My first day in Buenos Aires, I walked 13 miles. Walking is one of my favorite ways to get around because it allows me to observe locals and see additional sights. On that first day, I walked the entire length of Avenue 9 de Julio as well as Avenida de Mayo.
I highly recommend walking from Plaza de la República’s Obelisco to Plaza de Mayo’s Casa Rosada. I also recommend walking through the Puerto Madero area and crossing the Puente de la Mujer (Woman’s Bridge). While in Puerto Madero, I suggest using the restrooms at the Hilton Hotel, which were the cleanest restrooms I found in Buenos Aires and were free.
If you’re wondering is walking safe in Buenos Aires, the answer depends heavily on the neighborhood and the time of day rather than the city as a whole. While walking in the Caminito area of La Boca is safe, other nearby areas should be avoided. If you’re unsure about safety, taking a taxi is the better option. Always check the most current travel advisories as the safety of each neighborhood in Buenos Aires is subject to change.
If you plan to do a lot of walking, check out my full-walking guide of Buenos Aires.
If you want to walk with an expert, you can purchase a walking tour. Below are a few walking tours that caught my eye. As an affiliate of Viator, I receive a small commission if you purchase using my link at no additional cost to you.
Using the Buenos Aires Subway
For visitors, Buenos Aires public transportation is easiest to navigate using the subway system. The Buenos Aires Subte for tourists is straightforward, affordable, and clearly marked, even if you don’t speak Spanish.
The subway, known as the Subte, consists of six lines: A, B, C, D, E, and H. Each line is assigned a letter and a color, and stations are clearly marked.
To use the subway, you need a Sube card. To purchase one, visit the ticket booth near the turnstiles. At the time of my visit, the card came preloaded with two rides at a cost of ARS 90, and each additional ride cost ARS 19. Adding money to the Sube card was easy: I handed cash to the cashier and held the card against the square marked “Sube,” and the balance was updated automatically.
Once you have a Sube card, hold it against the blue Sube sign at the turnstile to enter. The display will show the fare and the remaining balance. Unlike many subway systems, you don’t need to swipe your card when exiting—simply walk through the turnstile and find the exit.
The trains came about every five minutes and were often crowded during peak times. During most of my subway rides, I stood because no seats were available. From a Buenos Aires subway for tourists perspective, the Subway felt safe, reliable, and easy to use throughout my trip.
Taxi and Uber in Buenos Aires
Deciding between Uber vs taxi in Buenos Aires often came down to timing and comfort. For me, the Uber vs taxi Buenos Aires decision mattered most when arriving late at night or traveling to areas like La Boca.
I arrived in Buenos Aires on Christmas Eve at 10:30 pm. After clearing customs and immigration, I waited over an hour to request a taxi and was told the wait would be at least two more hours. Instead, I left the airport and booked an Uber.
Taxis were otherwise easy to find around the city. Each taxi displays a “Libre” sign when available. All taxis I used ran on a meter. At the time of my visit, the meter started around ARS 80, and most rides cost around ARS 400.
If you plan to visit the Caminito area in La Boca, taking a taxi or Uber is strongly recommended. While Caminito itself is safe, the surrounding areas are not ideal for walking.
When riding in taxis, seatbelts are important. Driving in Buenos Aires can feel aggressive, and there were moments when the ride felt chaotic.
When using Uber, I found the experience more relaxed. My driver on Christmas Eve was cautious, communicative, and helpful. Due to holiday surge pricing, the ride cost over USD $50, but it was still preferable to waiting hours for a taxi.
A similar option to Uber would be to arrange transportation ahead of time. If you want to purchase your airport transportation in advance, you can do so by clicking on the link to the right. As an affiliate of Viator, I receive a small commission if you purchase using my link. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Buses in Buenos Aires
I never took the bus while in Buenos Aires, but I noticed that buses have their own lanes. Many are air-conditioned, and you can usually tell by whether the windows are open.
Trains in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires’ main train station is Retiro Station. Long-distance and commuter trains arrive frequently across its platforms. I never used a train during my visit that wasn’t part of the Subte system.
Final Thoughts on Getting Around Buenos Aires
There isn’t a single best way to get around Buenos Aires, but combining walking, the Subte, and taxis or Uber based on neighborhood and timing worked well for me. Approaching getting around Buenos Aires as a series of small decisions made navigating the city feel manageable rather than intimidating.
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