Taking a vacation or visiting Buenos Aires in Argentina? If you plan to travel around with public transport this guide gives you some tips of how to get where you want to go with bus.
One of the most popular forms of transport in across Argentina and indeed in Buenos Aires, is the ‘colectivos’ which allows you to both see Buenos Aires and to get a feel for the culture and people. These are the local buses, each of which has a different colour depending on the bus line. In Buenos Aires, there are more than a hundred bus lines, so you are bound to see a good variety!
To stop the bus, you need to clearly signal that you wish it to stop otherwise the driver will ignore you and continue on his / her way. When you enter the bus, you enter via the front door but exit via the back or central doors.
It is important that when you enter the bus, you have change ready to pay for the journey as the money is paid directly into a machine and the bus driver does not deal with bank notes. As in most countries, the Buenos Aires locals will not be happy at being delayed whilst you try to rummage through your pockets to find the right change.
More comfortable bus transport in Buenos Aires is known as the ‘diferencial’ which deals with direct route travel. The seats on this mode of transport are far more comfortable and you are also guaranteed the opportunity to sit down. The bus will only stop to allow others to board if seats have become available. Although it is slightly more expensive, you are likely to find that this mode of transport is the most comfortable when it comes to travelling by bus as you’re likely to find a minibar, air conditioning, toilet and reclining seats. It is also not uncommon for snacks and drinks to be offered on this form of service.
One of the problems however, with this mode of transport is that it is sometimes difficult to get off the bus. You will find that the alleyways in Buenos Aires are extremely busy and that it can therefore prove a bit of an obstacle course trying to get off.
On the other hand, “differential” service is a little more expensive but offers reclining seats (in some cases beds), heating, minibar, toilet, on-board staff, and an occasional snack is provided to passengers.
In Buenos Aires, you will find that there is an excellent service for national and international travel. Transport taking these routes depart from the city’s Terminal de Omnibus (bus terminal).
