Top 10 Buenos Aires

Left A bus on the city streets Center A cyclist at Parque 3 de Febrero Right A subway sign
Getting Around
! Bus
Buenos Aires is wellserviced
by bus routes,
even if the buses (called
colectivos in Spanish) do
nothing for the city’s
noise and pollution
levels. For bus stops and
routes, buy a copy of
Guía T from a kiosk or,
better still, ask a local.
The standard fare for
journeys of any length is
AR90c, payable into the
ticket machine behind the
driver’s seat.
@ Subway
The Buenos Aires
subway system is a safe,
reliable, and good way of
getting around central
districts. There are six
lines: A, B, C, D, E, and
H. Line A is the oldest
(and still uses wooden
trains) and Line D, which
links Microcentro with
Palermo, is busiest. The
standard fare per journey
is 90c. Tickets covering
up to 10 journeys can be
bought at stations.
£ Tram
Inaugurated in 2007,
the Tranvía del Este
serves the Puerto
Madero district, running
parallel to Avenida Alicia
Moreau de Justo between
Avenidas Córdoba
and Independencia.
$ Train
Trains heading north
from Buenos Aires,
including those stopping
at Tigre, depart from
Retiro, train station
located adjacent to the
Retiro bus terminal.
Trains departing for
destinations south of
the capital, such as
Tandil, Pinamar, and
Mar del Plata, depart
from Constitución
station. Of these two
lines, the northern line is
safer and more modern.
% Taxi and Remise
Taxis are ubiquitous
in Buenos Aires and are
of two kinds: standard
taxis and radio taxis, both
recognizable by their
yellow-and-black coloring.
Radio taxis, recognizable
by “radio taxi” written on
their doors, are safer and
can be both flagged at
street level or ordered by
phone. Remises (licensed
mini-cabs) are hired by
phone only and arrive
within 10–15 minutes of
calling the company.
^ Driving
Driving in the city is
a nightmare. Traffic is
heavy, local driving habits
are risky, and parking is
scarce. Add a maze of
one-way systems and
driving becomes even
more challenging. If you
do drive, remember that
front seatbelts are compulsory,
cars crossing
from the right have right
of way, and the speed
limit is 25 mph (40km/h)
rising to 37 mph (60km/
h) on main avenues.
& Bicycling
On the road, potholes,
lack of cycle lanes,
and drivers’ general lack
Bus lines operate 24 hours a day.
of respect for twowheelers
make cycling
dangerous. Enjoy safe
cycling in Parque 3 de
Febrero (see p61), and in
the Puerto Madero and
Recoleta districts. Rent
bikes at park entrances.
* On Foot
The best way to explore
Buenos Aires is on
foot. Distances between
neighborhoods are short
and easy to navigate.
Palermo, San Telmo, and
Recoleta are great for a
walk. Microcentro is best
avoided on weekdays.
( Transport for
Disabled Travelers
For disabled travelers,
QRV – Transportes
Especiales runs
programmed and tailormade
city tours in
modern wheelchairequipped
vehicles. It has
an airport shuttle service,
too. d QRV – Transportes
Especiales: 4306-6635/15
) Guided Tours
Eternautas runs
historical tours and
Opción Sur specializes in
audio-visual tours. Tangol
offers soccer game visits
and helicopter tours.
Bike Tours runs bicycling
excursions. Free guided
tours are also available
(see p107). d Eternautas:
5031-9916; www.eter
nautas.com • Opción Sur:
4777-9029; www.opcionsur.
com.ar • Tangol: 4312-
7276; www.tangol.com
• Bike Tours: 4311-5199;
www.biketours.com.ar
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