Buenos Aires public transportation is easily accessible and economical. The Subte is the Argentine name for the subway system. It runs as well as, if not better than, most metropolitan trains in the United States. Each Subte ride is seventy centavos. There are 5 lines, each designated by both color and letter. However, they are usually referred to by their letter and not their color.
The Subway in Buenos Aires
A common first-time mistake is judging each Subte train by its color. The color of the trains can be misleading because they are of no relevance. An orange train can travel on any color line. Trust the signs over the entrance on the street and on the wall of the platform. Here is an interactive Subte Map.
The Buenos Aires Public Bus System
Above ground, the buses dominate the roads. They rush in herds down major avenues and steer down one lane streets with finesse. With so many options, the Buenos Aires bus system is the most difficult to understand public transport system in Buenos Aires. Once lost on a bus route, a bit of luck is needed to regain the correct trail. Buses cost between twenty and eighty centavos, which can be paid with change, or with a prepaid card.
Taxis in Buenos Aires
Zipping around the buses erratically, with frequent stops and turns, are the taxis of Buenos Aires. Hail a cab from any major street, and in less that two minutes an Argetinean Taxi will be at your service. Taxis in Buenos Aires use meters like in the US. Haggle-free taxi rides are a Latin American luxury. With such a large city, it may help to know landmarks near your destination, but ultimately these drivers are pros, knowing exactly where to bring you, as well as the least congested route.
The Trolley System
Past the Subte lines there is a trolley system. The trolley is similar to the electric cars running in the US city of San Francisco. A twenty minute wait for the trolley is common. The casual feel in this section of Buenos Aires is reflected by the historic mode of transportation. If you do have an appointment however, take a taxi.
Yup, there’s a Rush Hour
Like any city that boasts over ten million people, the mornings and evenings can get crowded. Buenos Aires excels at moving such quantity through such few avenues. The highways get jammed, but in the city’s sprawled center, the streets move gradually but fluently. The trains and buses do get packed, so you have to snake your way on and fight your way off. If you are not in the mood to share your personal space with dozens of Argentines, taxis are in such high supply that they are always a good option.
Ultimately, Buenos Aires uses its multiple streams of transportation to effectively move its enormous population. The public is not burdened with high costs or headaches and hassles. If the transportation does break down and you have to rearrange your schedule, keep in mind that this is Argentina and there isn’t much that a Bife de Chorizo and a well-rounded Malbec can’t fix.
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2 Comments
You say buses can be paid by prepaid card!
Which buses have you been travelling on?
Many of the machines have slots for cards, but I’ve never seen one that can actually take cards or seen anyone use a card.
(Exception was when I lived in Moreno in the outskirts, the local bus company there had a card system which worked well and gave a discount too)
Trolleys.
Your comment on these suggest that they are widespread past the subway system.
There is one trolley line in one small section of the city.