Argentina on a budget

18.06.2024 - 15:23 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 17, 2024 • 6 min read

Argentina has traditionally been considered a budget destination for foreign tourists; the country’s highly unstable economy has resulted in multiple exchange rates, leading to low-cost goods and services. The only large expense travelers usually bemoaned was the high cost of flying into the country – but that’s changing.

Since Argentine President Javier Milei came to power, he’s made sweeping reforms, simultaneously strengthening the Argentine peso against the US dollar and sending the country into a deeper recession. While transportation costs have remained low, the price of eating out and accommodation rates have risen.

There are still plenty of ways to visit Argentina on a budget, though,  especially if you travel like a local.

While the various exchange rates in Argentina are not as disproportionate as before, exchanging cash will still give you the best rate. Bring large bills ($100 notes get the highest rate), and exchange at a cueva (unofficial exchange house). This way, you will not be charged high ATM or Western Union transfer fees.

Cash also gives you the best rate when purchasing goods or services. If you pay in cash, you help businesses avoid card processing fees, and many will give you a 10% discount.

If flying from or through the United States, consider booking your flight via Miami or Los Angeles.

Though Houston has the shortest direct flights to Argentina, you can often get the price of a round-trip ticket from Miami or Los Angeles to Buenos Aires for the same rate as a one-way ticket from Houston.

If traveling through or from Europe, Madrid is usually the cheapest place to fly.

The only subway in Argentina is Buenos Aires’ Subte system. It’s easy to use, and anywhere in the city not reachable by the Subte can be accessed via bus. Check routes on the Cómo Llego app or Google Maps.

To see the rest of the country, book flights on budget airlines like Flybondi, which usually are cheaper or as cheap as long-distance buses. 

Trains to the surrounding areas of Buenos Aires – like Tigre and La Plata – are easy to catch and reliable, but trains to the country's farther reaches can be very hard to get and require advance planning. That said, they are very budget-friendly.

In other cities (except in Mar del Plata), like Salta, Bariloche, and Córdoba, local buses are convenient and easy to access.

When moving around Buenos Aires, taxis are often cheaper than rideshares. Taxis do not accept cards, though, so have cash on hand to pay.

Taxis coming to the city from the airport usually want to agree on a set rate off meter, so a rideshare can be worth it to avoid haggling.

The best airport budget option (besides taking the Line 8 bus, which won’t be possible if you don’t have a SUBE card