Jorge Newbery Domestic Aiport

Jorge Newbery or in Spanish “Aeroparque Jorge Newbery” is the domestic airport in Buenos Aires. The airport is 2kms from the city center and situated in the Palermo neighborhood, near the Rio de la Plata. It is the main airport for domestic flights and up to March 2010 only carried flights from Argentine and Uruguayan carriers. Now it includes flights to Brazil, Chile and Paraguay, operated by Argentinean and, in the near future, Brazilian airlines. Airlines flying from Jorge Newberry include Aerolineas Argentinas, LAN, Austral, LADE and Pluna.

The airport is open 24 hours.

The runway is very short. When you take off the airplane is making a sharp turn over the buildings. This could be scary for some passengers.
Other services include:

Money exchange and Banks:
A currency exchange is situated in Terminal A. Cash machines or ATM’s are situated in Terminal A.

Restaurants:
There are a number of restaurants in the airport.

Facilities for disabled people:
The infrastructure at the airport is specifically designed to cater for disabled, pregnant women and elderly travelers. These facilities include access ramps, elevators, and telephones for hearing impaired people, reserved parking areas and restrooms.

Transport:
Taxis and busses are available just outside the airport.

Taxis and Remisses in Buenos Aires

In Argentina you will always find 2 types of taxis: a normal taxi and a remise (In Cordoba they call it Remisse). How can you tell the difference between the two? In Buenos Aires the taxis are black and yellow. In Cordoba for example,green or yellow and black. You will quickly recognize a taxi. They are everywhere! Remises are not painted in a specific colour. So how do you get hold of a Remise? You call to a remise office and they will come to your address. Or you can go to a remise office (marked offices) and they will arrange for a driver to take you to your destination.

Taxis you find everywhere in Buenos Aires. They are always close to bus stops, train or bus terminals and tourist spots.You flag a taxi down by hand and they will stop to pick you up, if it is not already occupied.

Taxis are safe in Buenos Aires but there are always scams doing the round. For example the taxi will pick up a group of people and then try to charge you double the price because of the weight or under the pretense that it was in fact 2 trips. Always make sure that the meter is switched on before you leave. Sometimes they "forget" to switch it on and charge you any price.

I like the Remise service because the price is fixed and it is safe. You quote your destination and they fix the price. The only thing I don't like is that the condition of the car is not always guaranteed.

There is a special Government arrangement with Taxis before 10am. If you live outside the Capital Federal (city centre) for example Quilmes, there is a very cheap rate when you use the taxi service. In this case the taxi will pickup other people and you won't have the taxi to yourself. They also drop you off close to the Metro but obviously they will not take you on a joyride through the city. This arrangement is mostly for people working in the Capital.

A word of advice. Please make sure you have change with you. It happened to me on a prior occassion that I didn't have the correct change on me. The taxi driver kept the meter running until I found change. I had to beg at a restaurant for change. I was very upset. They refuse to accept a 100 peso note!

Metro or Subte in Buenos Aires

The metro or "subte" only runs in Buenos Aires Capital.There are in total 6 lines: A to E and H. Line A is the oldest line and they are currently building a new line which will run from Line A to Retiro. I am not sure when this line will be completed.

Line A is almost a tourist attraction in itself! They still use the old, wooden carriages. Some tourists only use Line A to experience this.

Tourists maps of Buenos Aires include information on the metro system. You will find it displayed on the walls in the metro stations. The Metro stations are marked on the outside at the entrance of the building. Each line has it's own colour for example Line A is in red etc.

You will find the ticket offices or Boleterias inside the metro station. Tickets are not expensive +- 1.50 pesos per ride. You pay per ride and it is not important where you go to.You can also buy tickets in bulk or buy a metro card.If I can remember correctly you can only buy 10 tickets at a time.

The Metro can be very crowded at times and I do suggest you avaoid the peak hours if possible.

The metro is open between 6am to 22.30pm.

Ezeiza International Airport - Buenos Aires

Ezeiza is 35kms from Buenos Aires City centre. There are 2 terminals: A and B.The terminals are walking distance of each other.

The airport has parking spaces available in a multi-storey covered parking garage and an open-air parking lot, next to Terminal A. There is no distinction between long- and short-term parking at the airport. Spaces are subject to availability and reservations cannot be made.

There are four car hire companies at the airport: Alamo, Avis, Hertz and Localiza, located in Terminal A Arrivals.

Ezeiza international Airport is a large airport. Ezeiza is the only international airport in Buenos Aires. What I like about the airport is the layout. It is not difficult to find what you are looking for example check-ins, arrivals and departures. The airport is marked clearly and you have information centers everywhere where you can make enquiries. There are also a lot of officials on duty.

The check-in counters are on the bottom floor and on the left wing of the building. You need to check the notice board to see at which counter you need to check in. The bording area is at the top floor. You pass through security with your boarding pass and then you proceed to immigration.

There are various restaurants and coffee shops where you can drink or eat something while you have the long wait for your flight. I find it strange that there is not enough places for people te sit. I would have expected more from such a big airport.

Ezeiza has an internet shop which is quite expensive. I paid 5 pesos for 1 hour. They also have pay phones and you can make international calls. There are gift and book shops and places where you can buy colddrinks etc. There are not many restaurants with WI-FI and I found it quite difficult to find a WI-FI spot.

The airport has a couple of bathrooms and I also liked the fact that the toilet was big enough to enter with my suitcase. The airport is very clean and with enough light.

Other services include:


Money Exchange and Banks:
Facilities include several bureaux de change in both terminals and ATMs in Terminal A. There is a 24-hour bank in the Terminal A Arrivals area. Telephone and Internet access is available in Terminal A Departures and Terminal B Arrivals.

Mobile phone hire:
Mobile phone hire and services are available in Terminal A Arrivals and Departures.

Eating and drinking:
There are several restaurants, cafes and bars.

Shopping:
There are several shops at the airport. Duty-free is available in Terminal A and B Departures, and in Terminal A Arrivals.

Luggage:
The left-luggage service is located next to the information desk on the ground floor of Terminal A and in Terminal A Departures; lockers are available in Terminal A Arrivals. Lost property is handled by the National Aeronautical Police. Trolleys are available for a fee. Baggage wrapping services are located throughout the terminals.

Other facilities:
There are pharmacies in both terminals, and a medical service centre in Terminal A.