Buenos Aires is served by two airports with very different transfer questions. Ezeiza (EZE), the international hub, sits around 35 km south-west of the city centre and requires a proper transfer — shuttle bus, taxi or pre-booked remise. Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), used mainly for domestic and regional flights, is right on the city's northern waterfront, a short and simple hop into town. Knowing which one you're arriving at changes the whole plan.
From Ezeiza (EZE): the international airport
Tienda León
Tienda León is the long-established, well-known shuttle bus operator connecting Ezeiza to its own terminal in central Buenos Aires (near Puerto Madero and Retiro), and it's the option most guidebooks and the airport itself point travellers toward. Comfortable coaches run frequently throughout the day, with a journey time of roughly 40–60 minutes depending on traffic on the Autopista Ricchieri. Tickets are bought at a staffed counter inside the terminal — look for the Tienda León desk in arrivals — and fares are moderate and fixed, regardless of traffic.
From the Tienda León terminal downtown, onward travel by taxi or the city's Subte (subway) is straightforward, making this a genuinely practical door-to-hub option even though it isn't door-to-door to your final address.
Taxis and remises from Ezeiza
Official airport taxis and remises (pre-booked private cars, common and generally considered a safer alternative to street taxis in Argentina) both operate from staffed counters inside the Ezeiza terminal. Booking through one of these counters — rather than accepting an offer from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall — is the recommended approach; fares are fixed by zone and agreed before you get in the car. Journey time to the city centre is similar to the Tienda León bus, around 40–60 minutes, but the fare is considerably higher for the door-to-door convenience.
Ride-hailing apps
Uber and similar apps do operate in Buenos Aires and can be used from Ezeiza, though the regulatory position on ride-hailing at Argentine airports has shifted over time and pick-up arrangements can differ from what you'd expect elsewhere — check your app for the current designated pick-up point on arrival rather than assuming curbside pick-up works exactly as at home.
From Aeroparque (AEP): quick and close
Aeroparque handles most of Argentina's domestic network along with some regional international flights, and its location — directly on the Río de la Plata waterfront, just north of the city centre — makes the transfer far simpler than from Ezeiza.
Taxi and remise
A taxi or remise from Aeroparque into central Buenos Aires (Recoleta, Palermo, the Microcentro) typically takes only 15–25 minutes in normal traffic, at a fare well below the equivalent Ezeiza journey given the much shorter distance. As with Ezeiza, use the staffed counters inside the terminal rather than street touts.
Local buses
Several city bus (colectivo) routes serve Aeroparque directly, and fares are very low if paid with a SUBE card (Buenos Aires's rechargeable transit smartcard, required for most public transport in the city — cash is not accepted on buses). This is a workable budget option for travellers without much luggage who already have a SUBE card or are willing to buy one for a longer stay.
Transferring between Ezeiza and Aeroparque
Travellers connecting from an international flight into Ezeiza onward to a domestic flight from Aeroparque (or vice versa) need to physically cross the city between the two airports — there is no direct rail or people-mover link. Tienda León runs a direct inter-airport shuttle for exactly this purpose, and it's worth booking in advance if your connection time is tight, since road traffic between the two airports can be unpredictable, particularly at rush hour.
Car hire
Major international rental agencies operate desks at Ezeiza, useful if your onward plans include driving beyond the city — the pampas, Mendoza's wine country, or further afield. For a stay confined to Buenos Aires itself, a car is unnecessary and often a hindrance: the Subte, buses and taxis cover the city well, and street parking in the busier barrios is scarce and can be a target for petty theft from parked vehicles.
Which option should you choose?
From Ezeiza, Tienda León is the sensible default for most visitors — reliable, reasonably priced, and well organised, dropping you at a hub with easy onward connections. Choose a remise or official taxi if you need true door-to-door service or are arriving with a lot of luggage or late at night. From Aeroparque, a taxi or remise is quick and inexpensive given the short distance, while the local bus network suits budget travellers with a SUBE card.
For onward travel from Buenos Aires, see our guides to Buenos Aires to Montevideo across the River Plate, north to Iguazu Falls, inland to Mendoza's wine country, or south to Bariloche in Patagonia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way from Ezeiza Airport into Buenos Aires?
Tienda León's shuttle bus is the option most recommended for its reliability and fixed pricing, running to its own terminal in central Buenos Aires in roughly 40–60 minutes. Official taxis and remises booked at the terminal counters offer true door-to-door service at a higher fare.
How far is Aeroparque from central Buenos Aires?
Very close — Aeroparque sits directly on the northern waterfront, and a taxi or remise into the centre typically takes just 15–25 minutes in normal traffic.
Is it safe to take a taxi from the airport in Buenos Aires?
Yes, provided you book at the staffed official taxi or remise counters inside the terminal rather than accepting an offer from someone in the arrivals hall. This is standard advice for both Ezeiza and Aeroparque.
Do I need a SUBE card to take the bus from the airport?
Yes, for local colectivo buses serving Aeroparque — cash is not accepted, and a SUBE card is required for almost all Buenos Aires public transport. Tienda León's shuttle from Ezeiza uses its own separate ticketing, bought at the terminal counter.
Sources and further reading:
- Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 — official Ezeiza and Aeroparque ground transportation information.
- Tienda León — routes, schedules and fares for the Ezeiza and Aeroparque shuttle services.