Information Sheet Last Updated: September 2005

Buenos Aires Public Transportation

Traveling around by public transport in Buenos Aires is very easy with a basic knowledge of Spanish.

First you must obtain the Guia “T” which is on sale at most magazine and newspaper kiosks. There are two versions; the most useful for tourists is the pocket version Guia “T” de Bolsillo, price about AR$2. There are detailed street maps, which cover all of Capital Federal, an index of every street, and detailed descriptions of every bus (colectivo) route. Additionally, at the back of the guide there is an information directory on the location of banks, libraries, fire stations, television stations, cemeteries, cinemas, police stations, embassies, airlines, long distance buses, railways, hospitals, government ministries, museums, post offices, official organizations, radio stations, and place of recreation. There is also a map of the underground Subte network.

Using this guide it is possible to find which bus or buses and/or subte, to take from point to point. If you intend to travel outside Capital Federal, there is a larger version of Guia “T”, price about AR$8, which covers Greater Buenos Aires and which includes the outer suburbs. It has the detailed street maps, an index of every street, and detailed descriptions of every bus route. Additionally it has a map of the suburban rail lines but it does not have the information directory.

There is also an incredibly useful web site (in Spanish) called Como Viajo http://www.comoviajo.com/ Using this web site it is possible to enter your point of origin (street name and number, or junction of two streets and the district) and your point of destination (street name and number, or junction of two streets and the district). The web site will calculate the different travel options by bus or subte, the time of travel and the cost. Using the same method it will calculate your best walking route and display a map showing the route, calculate the cost of a taxi and display a map showing the route, and calculate the shortest or quickest route by car, and display a map showing the route.

Another highly useful website is Xcolectivo at http://www.xcolectivo.com.ar/. It offers an exhaustive listing of all transportation lines – buses, trains, airlines – within the country. It also supplies schedules.

At the time of last revision the cost of a single journey on public transport is as follows.

Suburban train within Capital Federal AR$0.50

Subte (underground) AR$0.70

Colectivo (bus) AR$0.80

When travelling on local buses and trains, remain alert at all times. Pickpockets are rife. If you are robbed, you should inform the local police – a police report will be required by your insurers and by your Embassy if you need a new passport. In Buenos Aires, a 24-hour police helpline in English has been opened, on telephone number 101, to help victims. There is also a new multi-lingual free phone number for tourist assistance: 0800 999 5000. This goes through to the Tourist Police Station.