Buenos Aires has developed one of the world's better urban transportation systems; it is a bit tired, suffers from lack of investment and has evolved serendipitously around the unique colectivo. Travellers are seldom more than one block from a bus, and often they have a choice of both buses and numerous Subte (subway) stations in the key tourist destinations reviewed on this website. The subway system was designed for the Buenos Aires in the 1940s for the 1940s. Its adequacy in the modern city has been diminishing, given the two socially distinct, yet similar patterns of commuting.
Most professionals, businessmen, and other white-collar workers commute to the centre of town by car or train from the northern zones. Blue-collar workers commute across town, from residential to industrial sections, generally by colectivo. Though most city traffic is regulated by automatic traffic lights, the city's residents are notorious for ignoring them. For many years, two major streets, Calle Florida and Calle Lavalle, were traditionally closed to motor traffic during part of the day to allow for a free flow of pedestrians, now, only Calle Florida is reserved for pedestrians at all times.
The highway system includes several expressways that radiate out from centro to connect it with the Avenida General Paz, which circles most of the city, thus forming a spoke like pattern. Other main avenues connect the Plaza de Mayo, in the heart of the city, with outlying neighbourhoods. The city is the terminus of every major railway in the country. There are also electric suburban lines connecting the city with the towns of Tigre and Moreno.
The international airport of Ezeiza, Don Torcuato airport, and El Palomar, the military airport, are respectively located outside the city limits in the partidos of Esteban Echeverria, Tigre, and Morón. They are connected to the city by expressways. Jorge Newbery, the Buenos Aires City Airport, lies within the Federal District and serves domestic airlines, as well as those that operate to and from neighbouring countries.
A quick tip for travelling into centro Buenos Aires from Ezeiza airport- you will be tired and want to wash-up. You can travel into town by taxi or bus. Buses are cheap and numerous, but crowded and you have to get to your apartment or hotel once you hit centro- its difficult when you do not know the city. Get a taxi. It should not cost more than $60 pesos for the licensed yellow cab outside the airport. You may have to wait. Better still, ask us to provide a private car shuttle service, we charge US$35.00 for three people and then an additional US$10.00 per person - it is good value! Our representative will be there to meet you and ferry you direct to your hotel of apartment with the minimum of fuss.
