Argentina is such a huge country that travelling by bus becomes a huge challenge. However, the buses in the country are the best in all of South America and are still relatively cheap. There are fairly good prices on flights in the country as long as you book well in advance. In fact, if you book your flights far enough in advance they can often be cheaper than buses. I have built these recommended itineraries based on the use of bus as the main source of transportation, although there are flights connecting all of the destinations as well. Obviously, these itineraries are meant as guides to help you with your planning and are not in any way shape or form the only way to travel Argentina. If you have any questions about travel in Argentina please don’t hesitate to contact me as I am always glad to help.
I have decided on 6 recommended itineraries for Argentina. Click on the name of the Itinerary below to be taken to that itinerary:
- Itinerary 1: The Loop (or the V)
- Itinerary 2: The Northern Loop
- Itinerary 3: Urban Argentina
- Itinerary 4: Completely Patagonia
- Itinerary 5: A Touch of Patagonia
- Itinerary 6: A Little of Everything
Argentina Itinerary 1: The Loop or the V
***Note: The Loop becomes the V if your trip has you starting in Buenos Aires, Salta or Mendoza and skipping the Northern cities. This will often be the case if you are starting your trip from Bolivia, Chile or Brazil.
If you’re looking to get the most out of Argentina you’ll want to hit up all of the hot spots. If that is the case you’ll want to travel The Loop. The itinerary I have included for the loop races through it, but this is a recommendation for the shortest amount of time available, not the longest. Feel free to add some days to more important places as you wish. You may also want to include Salta between Cordoba and Mendoza as the town is very interesting.
- Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrival
- Day 2: Buenos Aires – AM City Tour and PM Tango Show
- Day 3: Buenos Aires – Day trip to Uruguay or El Tigre
- Day 4: Buenos Aires – Day free in BA
- Day 5: Bus to Rosario
- Day 6: Rosario – Explore Rosaro
- Day 7: AM Rosario – PM night bus to Puerto Iguazu
- Day 8: Arrival at Iguazu and Full day visit of the falls
- Day 9: Morning free in Iguazu PM night bus to Cordoba
- Day 10: Day to Explore Cordoba
- Day 11: Day in Cordoba
- Day 12: Bus to Mendoza
- Day 13: Mendoza – Wineries
- Day 14: Mendoza – Explore the city
- Day 15: Mendoza – AM free PM night bus to Bariloche
- Day 16: Bariloche – Free day in the city
- Day 17: Bariloche – Go on a hike, boat cruise, etc.
- Day 18: Bariloche AM, PM night bus to El Chalten
- Day 19: El Chalten Free day
- Day 20-22: El Chalten – hiking and outdoors
- Day 23: Bus to El Calafate
- Day 24: El Calafate – Full day visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Day 25: Bus to Ushuaia
- Day 26: Ushuaia – Visit Museums
- Day 27: Ushuaia – Visit Parque National Tierra del Fuego
- Day 28: Ushuaia – Visit ski lift and glacier
- Day 29: Bus to Rio Galegos
- Day 30: AM free in Rio Gallegos, PM night bus to Puerto Madryn
- Day 31: Puerto Madryn – Visit Punta Tomba
- Day 32: Puerto Madryn – Valdez Peninsula
- Day 33: AM Puerto Madryn, PM return to Buenos Aires
- Day 34: End in Buenos Aires
Itinerary 2: The Northern Loop
The Northern Loop of Argentina gives visitors a great sense of Argentinean culture, but, with the exception of Iguazu Falls doesn’t show off the country’s natural wonder. If you are looking for a cultural experience, and aren’t too concerned with seeing the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia, this is likely a route you’ll enjoy.
- Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrival
- Day 2: Buenos Aires – AM City Tour and PM Tango Show
- Day 3: Buenos Aires – Day trip to Uruguay or El Tigre
- Day 4: Buenos Aires – Day free in BA
- Day 5: Bus to Rosario
- Day 6: Rosario – Explore Rosaro
- Day 7: AM Rosario – PM night bus to Puerto Iguazu
- Day 8: Arrival at Iguazu and Full day visit of the falls
- Day 9: Morning free in Iguazu PM night bus to Cordoba
- Day 10: Day to Explore Cordoba
- Day 11: Day in Cordoba
- Day 12: AM Cordoba, PM night bus to Salta
- Day 13: Salta – Explore the city
- Day 14: Salta – Adventure day in Salta
- Day 15: AM Salta, PM night bus to Mendoza
- Day 16: Mendoza – Wineries
- Day 17: Mendoza – Explore the city
- Day 18: Mendoza – AM free PM night bus to Buenos Aires
- Day 19: Buenos Aires – End in Buenos Aires
Itinerary 3: Urban Argentina
Argentina is really a tale of two countries. On one hand it is rich in culture of which mostly now revolves around life in the cities. On the other hand the west and south of the country are laden with beautiful natural characteristics. The urban Argentina itinerary is mostly for those interested in the urban activity of the country. When most think of urban Argentina they think first of Buenos Aires, but the truth is that cities like Rosario, Cordoba and Mendoza all exude rich Argentinean culture and character while at the same time all providing a complete different vibe.
- Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrival
- Day 2: Buenos Aires – AM City Tour and PM Tango Show
- Day 3: Buenos Aires – Day trip to Montevideo or Colonia de Sacramento
- Day 4: Buenos Aires – Visit La Boca, maybe a football match?
- Day 5: Buenos Aires – Day free in BA
- Day 6: Bus to Rosario
- Day 7: Rosario – Explore Rosario
- Day 8: Rosario – Explore Rosario
- Day 9: Bus to Cordoba
- Day 10: Cordoba – Explore the city
- Day 11: Cordoba – Visit a local ranch
- Day 12: Bus to Mendoza
- Day 13: Mendoza – Wineries
- Day 14: Mendoza – Explore the city
- Day 15: Mendoza – AM free PM night bus to Buenos Aires
- Day 16: Buenos Aires – End in Buenos Aires
Itinerary 4: Completely Patagonia
Complete with its flowing glaciers and impressive mountains Argentina’s section of Patagonia is one of the most impressive natural playgrounds in the entire world. One could easily spend a complete month playing in the natural environments provided by this region. The itinerary I have provided is meant to give the greatest swath of the region possible. Of course you may want to add more time to some of the destinations I’ve included, you might also want to include Mendoza in your tour of Patagonia; if you have the time, I highly recommend it.
- Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrival
- Day 2: Buenos Aires – AM City Tour and PM Tango Show
- Day 3: Buenos Aires – Day trip to Montevideo or Colonia de Sacramento
- Day 4: Buenos Aires – Day free in BA
- Day 5: Buenos Aires – AM free, PM night bus to Bariloche
- Day 6: Bariloche – Free day in the city
- Day 7: Bariloche – Go on a hike, boat cruise, etc.
- Day 8: Bariloche AM, PM night bus to El Chalten
- Day 9: El Chalten Free day
- Day 10-12: El Chalten – hiking and outdoors
- Day 13: Bus to El Calafate
- Day 14: El Calfate – Full day visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Day 15: Bus to Ushuaia
- Day 16: Ushuaia – Visit Museums
- Day 17: Ushuaia – Visit Parque National Tierra del Fuego
- Day 18: Ushuaia – Visit ski lift and glacier
- Day 19: Bus to Rio Galegos
- Day 20: AM free in Rio Gallegos, PM night bus to Puerto Madryn
- Day 21: Puerto Madryn – Visit Punta Tomba
- Day 22: Puerto Madryn – Valdez Peninsula
- Day 23: AM Puerto Madryn, PM return to Buenos Aires
- Day 24: End in Buenos Aires
Itinerary 5: A Taste of Patagonia
If you only have a couple of weeks in Argentina and you want to see the best of what Patagonia has to offer you might be in a little bit of a hurry, you’ll also have some long bus rides ahead of you. Although, if you plan ahead this trip can be eased with a couple of flights.
- Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrival
- Day 2: Buenos Aires – AM City Tour and PM Tango Show
- Day 3: Buenos Aires – Day trip to Montevideo or Colonia de Sacramento, or more Buenos Aires
- Day 5: Buenos Aires – AM free, PM night bus to Bariloche
- Day 6: Bariloche – Free day in the city
- Day 7: Bariloche – Go on a hike, boat cruise, etc.
- Day 8: Bariloche AM, PM night bus to El Chalafate
- Day 9: El Calafate – Free day, organize tour for next day
- Day 10: El Calafate – Full day visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Day 11: Bus to Puerto Madryn
- Day 12: Puerto Madryn – Visit Punta Tomba
- Day 13: Puerto Madryn – Valdez Peninsula
- Day 14: AM Puerto Madryn, PM return to Buenos Aires
- Day 15: End in Buenos Aires
Itinerary 6: A Bit of Everything
A huge country like Argentina can be overwhelming in terms of seeing everything it has to offer. There is, however, a way of seeing a little bit of everything in a way that will make you feel like you aren’t missing too much. The following is my recommendation for the best way to get a piece of everything on your trip in Argentina without spending months in the country,
- Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrival
- Day 2: Buenos Aires – AM City Tour and PM Tango Show
- Day 3: Buenos Aires – Day trip to Uruguay or El Tigre
- Day 4: Buenos Aires – Day free in BA
- Day 5: AM Buenos Aires – PM night bus to Puerto Iguazu
- Day 6: Arrival at Iguazu and Full day visit of the falls
- Day 7: Morning free in Iguazu PM night bus to Cordoba
- Day 8: Day to Explore Cordoba
- Day 9: Day in Cordoba
- Day 10: Bus to Mendoza
- Day 11: Mendoza – Wineries
- Day 12: Mendoza – Explore the city
- Day 13: Mendoza – AM free PM night bus to Bariloche
- Day 14: Bariloche – Free day in the city
- Day 15: Bariloche – Go on a hike, boat cruise, etc.
- Day 16: Bariloche AM, PM night bus to El Chalten
- Day 17: Bus to Puerto Madryn
- Day 18: Puerto Madryn – Visit Punta Tomba
- Day 19: Puerto Madryn – Valdez Peninsula
- Day 20: AM Puerto Madryn, PM return to Buenos Aires
- Day 21: End in Buenos Aires
Travel Advice for Argentina
I wanted to end this post with some bits of travel advice for Argentina. Hopefully this guide has helped you plan your trip!
- Accommodation: Like most of South America, you have options for hotels, hostels, and camping in Argentina. I do, however, highly recommend you book your rooms online. Prices tend to be way cheaper when you book online rather than direct. I’m not sure why this is the case in Argentina, but I find hotels – especially in Patagonia – tend to be up to 50% cheaper online. Personally, I use this site for the cheapest prices.
- Tours: If you’re looking to book your local tours at places like Iguazu Falls or Moreno Glacier, check out Get Your Guide. You can book everything online to make things easier.
- Flights: Flights within Argentina can be quite expensive. The earlier you book the better. Personally, I use Kiwi for my flights in Argentina.
- Buses: If you’re travelling by bus in Argentina, you can book buses online at Busbud.com. There are a number of types of seats. Semi-Cama means the seat lays back to about 30 degrees. Cama generally means a 60-80 degree recline. There are also 180 degree seats, and VIP seats. The buses in Argentina are really comfortable.
- Money: Lots of places in Argentina only take Visa – if they take cards at all. And, bank machines sometimes limit you to $100 cash withdraws and have $8 fees. It’s sometimes smart to bring some USD as lots of restaurants take USD.