By far the most
common and
straightforward
method of
transport in
Argentina is the
bus .
There are
hundreds of
private
companies, most
of which
concentrate on
one particular
region, although
a few, such as
TAC, run pretty
much nationwide.
Wherever
possible, routes
follow sealed
roads, as even
when these are
not the shortest
distance between
two points, they
are invariably
the fastest and
most
comfortable. A
high proportion
of buses are
modern, plush
Brazilian-built
models designed
for
long-distance
travel, and your
biggest worry
will be what
video the driver
has chosen to
"entertain" you
with (usually
subtitled
Hollywood action
flicks of the
Stallone/Seagal/Schwarzenegger
type, played
with the sound
either turned
off or at
thunderous
volume). On
longer journeys,
snacks, and even
hot meals, are
served (included
in the ticket
price), although
these vary
considerably in
quality and tend
towards
sweet-toothed
tastes. Some of
the more
luxurious
services have
waiter service
and are usually
worth the extra
money for long
night-rides:
coche cama
and
pullman
services have
wide, fully
reclinable
seats; and
semi-cama
services are not
far behind in
terms of seat
comfort. These
services usually
cost twenty to
forty percent
more than the
regular
común
services. On the
minor routes,
you're more
likely to
encounter
old-style buses,
but most are
decent quality
with plenty of
leg room.
Buying
tickets s
normally a
simple
on-the-spot
matter, but you
must plan in
advance if
travelling in
peak summer
season (mid-Dec
to Feb),
especially if
you're taking a
long-distance
bus from Buenos
Aires or any
other major city
to a
particularly
popular holiday
destination,
when you must
often buy your
ticket two to
three days in
advance. Before
buying your
ticket, check
that you are
indeed getting
the service you
want (locals
will advise you
of your best
options). Be
aware that some
destinations
have fast and
slow services,
and though
virtually all
services call
into the bus
terminal at
intermediary
town stops, this
is not always
the case: some
drop you on the
road outside the
centre.
Similarly, when
heading to the
capital, check
that the bus
goes to
Retiro , the
central bus
terminal. Prices
for tickets rise
considerably in
peak season.
It's always
worth asking for
discounts
, especially if
you're
travelling as a
group in low
season, when
your custom is
at a premium, or
if you have an
ISIC or YHA card
(some companies
give 10-20
percent off). In
a few places,
you have to pay
a small
terminal tax
in addition to
the bus ticket
($0.50-1).
There's usually
some kind of
left-luggage
office ($1-2
per day) at most
terminals, or,
if you have a
few hours to
kill between
connections, the
company with
whom you have
your onward
ticket will
usually store
your pack free
of charge,
enabling you to
look around town
unencumbered.
