Public Transit in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Easy and Convenient

Buenos Aires, Argentina has an excellent public transit system for you to use during your visit. Public transit in Buenos Aires and Gran Buenos Aires (the surrounding area) is convenient and inexpensive. Just as in many major modern cities, in Buenos Aires you have the choice of the subway, the bus or the train.

The subway is called the Subte and its stations are easily found all over the city. There are six different lines to choose from: A (light blue), B (red), C (blue), D (green), E (purple) and H (yellow). Some of the lines cross each other and others do not so be sure to check the map at the public transit station. The Subte offers the quickest transit throughout Buenos Aires. Be sure to buy a Moneda card so you do not have to wait in line to buy a ticket. Ticket lines are especially long during rush hour; tickets currently cost 1.20 $ pesos.

The subway in Buenos Aires is an excellent public transit option and most Portenos (people from Buenos Aires) tend favor it over the bus. The Buenos Aires subte is the oldest in South America. Line A is the oldest and was constructed in 1913. I highly recommend a ride on the A line while you are in Buenos Aires as the old wooden subte cars are still used for public transit. The seats, wall panels and doors are made of wood and each car features glass light fixtures and mirrors. Many of these old public transit subte cars do not have automatic doors and you must open them manually.

The other popular method of public transit in Buenos Aires is the bus. The network of buses in Buenos Aires is extensive and they arrive every three to ten minutes so don't worry if you just missed it. The bus does not have a card system yet and does not make change for paper money, so be sure to save your monedas (coins). The best features of the bus in Buenos Aires are that it runs twenty four hours a day and only costs the equivalent of thirty-five cents US. Buenos Aires is a city that doesn't sleep so you will find this twenty four hour public transit feature quite convenient. Tourists and locals alike all carry the public transit bible called the Guiat. This is available to purchase from guys on the street corner for five pesos.

The public transit system in Buenos Aires may have antiquated equipment but it has the efficiency of any modern city.

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