Subways are quick and... and other Buenos Aires, Argentina Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Subways are quick and efficient, though generally very hot in summer time. Be prepared for warm temperatures and be on the lookout for pickpockets, but otherwise, riding the subway can get you to some destinations across town much quicker than a taxi or bus. An important line for tourists would be the green line: 'D'. It starts at the main square in the city 'Plaza de Mayo' and runs to the north. This is a great way to see the parks of Palermo. Subways costs 70 centavos one-way. Go down into the subway station and purchase your ticket at the counter (Boleteria). You will receive a card with a magnetic strip on it. Take that to the gate and slip it in, and when it comes back out through the top, retrieve the ticket and proceed through the turnstile. Subways run every couple of minutes. Rush hour tends to be the busiest time and this the best time to avoid the subways (9-11 AM inbound and 5:30-7:00PM outbound). Also, when you go down the stairs to reach the subway, make sure you go down on the correct side of the street for the direction in which you would like to travel. Last but not least, Buenos Aires has the oldest subway in South America and its original line still runs up and down the Avenida de Mayo. this is a great ride to do!!! The interior of the subway is of wood and is a trip back in time.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: A safe way to get around if you are not taking local buses and subways are the cars called 'remise'. They are private cars dispatched from a company that run sort of like taxis. Generally they are nicer than taxis, often have air conditioning, and are safe. You will save money going to the airport in a remis rather than a taxi, and remises often in general work out to be cheaper than taxis. you can also make multiple stops, asking the driver to take you to several different places and he will wait for you at each spot or meet you back there at an appointed time. You cannnot hail a remis like you can a taxi, they have to be called. If going somewhere far away from your hotel at night, you can have your hotel call you one. One of the bigger Remis companies is called 'Le Coq'. Telephone number is 4964-2000. Sample fares are: to Ezeiza airport: $17 ($32 in a taxi) or about $8-$10 all the way across town. Waiting time is $6 per hour. Prices are in pesos but usually you can pay with US dollars (which you cannot do in taxis), and Le Coq accepts credit cards.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Picture is a sample of a subway ticket. Please see my tip about Buenos Aires subways for instructions on riding the subways. I should add that riding the subway nowadays in Buenos Aires is the safest way to travel.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Getting around BA by subway and taxi is easy, but taking the bus can be a great experience, and this bus line number 152 is a good one to know. If you want to visit anywhere along Avenida Santa Fe, like El Ataneo bookstore, Alto Palermo Shopping Center, Marini Restaurant, etc, then you should come by taxi or subway to get there from the city center. However, going back from Palermo via Ave Santa Fe is great to do by bus. Bus 152 drops you right off at Plaza San Martin or near the Sheraton Hotel when coming from Palermo.

All buses within the city cost 80 centavos for a single fare. Jus go to a bus stop that has the bus number you want to take, when you see the bus coming flag it down ike you would do for a taxi (because otherwise it won't stop), and when you get in tell the driver "ochenta" which means 80. Then put your coins in the machine and your change and ticket will come out at the bottom of the machine!

If the bus is crowded, then watch for pickpockets like you would in any crowded place. And here, by the way, buses are known as "Colectivos".

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: Subways here are known as "Subte", and as mentioned in a few of my other tips, it's a great way of getting around. Each subway line is color coded, and the picture shows the green line stop at Bulnes. Bulnes is where you will find the Alto Palermo Shopping Center, in the district of Palermo. The green line is the handiest of them all. Get off at Tribunales for the Colon Theatre, get off at Scalabrini Ortiz for the parks of palermo (Japanese Garden, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, etc)

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