We last reviewed this post on September 7th, 2026

Getting around Buenos Aires is easier than it may seem. The city has an extensive public transportation network, with buses and the subway connecting most of the areas visitors are likely to explore.

For tourists, the best way to get around Buenos Aires will usually depend on where you are going and how much time you have. The subway is fast and useful for longer distances, buses reach almost every corner of the city, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are convenient when you want a more direct journey.

You can also explore many parts of Buenos Aires on foot or by bike, especially in neighborhoods such as Palermo, Recoleta, San Telmo and Puerto Madero.

In this guide, we’ll explain the main transportation options in Buenos Aires, how to pay for public transport, and which ones we recommend for different situations.

1. How to Pay for Public Transportation in Buenos Aires

You no longer need a SUBE card for every trip on public transportation in Buenos Aires. Depending on the service and the line you are using, you can pay with a SUBE card or use contactless payment with a Visa or Mastercard.

The easiest option for many visitors is simply to use a contactless bank card, phone or smartwatch when the service accepts it. However, having a SUBE card can still be useful if you plan to use public transportation frequently, especially because SUBE gives access to transport benefits and combination discounts.

SUBE Card

SUBE is the local transport card used on buses, the subway and trains in Buenos Aires and throughout the wider Buenos Aires metropolitan area.

You can use either a physical SUBE card or SUBE Digital on a compatible Android phone. The physical card can be purchased and loaded at authorized locations, while the digital version is managed through the official SUBE app.

If you are staying in Buenos Aires for several days and expect to use public transportation regularly, getting a SUBE card is still a convenient option.

Contactless Payments

Buenos Aires has introduced open payment on public transportation, allowing passengers to pay directly with contactless Visa and Mastercard debit, credit or prepaid cards, as well as compatible phones and smartwatches using NFC.

On the Buenos Aires subway, contactless cards, NFC devices and QR payments are accepted at the turnstiles. On buses, contactless payment is available on an increasing number of lines, including all buses under the jurisdiction of the City of Buenos Aires.

If you use a contactless card, simply look for the contactless payment symbol on the validator and tap your card or device. Make sure you use the same card or device throughout your journey if you want to benefit from applicable fare discounts.

Which option should you use?

For a short visit, using a contactless bank card can be the simplest option when available.

If you are staying longer or plan to use buses, the subway and trains regularly, we recommend getting a SUBE card. It remains widely used and gives you access to the transport system’s combination benefits.

Whichever option you choose, always check the payment method accepted by the specific service before boarding, as payment options can vary between different bus lines and transport services.

2. Public Transportation – Train, Subte, and Colectivo

Buenos Aires has an extensive public transportation network, but using it can take a little getting used to, especially if it is your first trip to Buenos Aires.

During rush hour, public transportation can become very crowded, particularly on popular bus routes and subway lines. If you have some flexibility, travelling outside the busiest times will make your journey much more comfortable.

It is also important to keep an eye on your belongings. Pickpocketing can happen on crowded public transportation and in busy areas of the city. Keep your backpack or bag in front of you, and avoid carrying your phone or other valuables in an open pocket. We also recommend being particularly careful when standing near the doors.

These are simple precautions, but they are worth following both on public transportation and while walking around busy areas of Buenos Aires.

For planning your journey, Google Maps is generally very useful and can show you different combinations of buses, the Subte and trains. However, schedules and arrival times are not always perfectly accurate, so allow some extra time when you have somewhere important to be.

a) Subte (Subway):

The Buenos Aires subway, known locally as the **Subte**, is one of the fastest ways to get around the city. It has several lines connecting the city center with neighborhoods such as Palermo, Recoleta, Belgrano and Almagro.

For visitors, the Subte is particularly useful when you want to cover a longer distance without getting stuck in traffic. It is also inexpensive compared with taxis and ride-hailing apps.

The system is fairly easy to use once you understand the basics. Each line is identified by a letter (A, B, C, D, E or H), and stations are clearly marked from street level.

Subte opening hours

The subway generally operates from around **5:30 AM on weekdays, 6:00 AM on Saturdays, and 8:00 AM on Sundays and public holidays**. Closing times vary depending on the line and day. There are also later services on some Friday and Saturday nights.

Before heading out, it is worth checking the current operating hours if you are travelling early in the morning or late at night.

How do you pay for the Subte?

You can enter the Subte using a SUBE card or, at stations equipped for open payment, a contactless Visa or Mastercard card, compatible phone or smartwatch, or other supported payment methods.

For occasional trips, contactless payment can be the easiest option for visitors. If you are using public transportation regularly, a SUBE card is still a useful choice.

Is the Subte safe?

As with any busy public transportation system, keep an eye on your belongings, especially during crowded periods. Pickpocketing can happen, so we recommend keeping your phone and wallet somewhere secure rather than in an open pocket.

For most visitors, the Subte is a practical and convenient way to move around Buenos Aires during the day.

b) Buenos Aires Buses (Colectivos)

Buenos Aires has an extensive bus network, known locally as colectivos. There are hundreds of routes covering virtually every part of the city, so buses can take you to places that are not directly connected by the subway.

For visitors, the main challenge is usually figuring out which bus to take. Each route has a number, and many routes have different branches or variations, so it is best to check your route using Google Maps or another navigation app before boarding.

How do you pay for the bus?

You can pay for buses using a SUBE card. On buses equipped with open payment, you can also pay directly with a contactless Visa or Mastercard card or a compatible phone or smartwatch.

If you are using a contactless card, look for the contactless symbol on the payment terminal and tap your card or device when boarding.

What should you know before taking a bus?

Bus stops are usually marked with a sign showing the route numbers that stop there. When several buses serve the same route, make sure you are taking the correct direction and branch.

When you board, tell the driver where you are going if necessary. In many cases, you can simply say the destination or the street where you want to get off.

Buses can be slower than the Subte because they share the road with other traffic, but they are extremely useful for reaching neighborhoods and streets that the subway does not serve.

For short trips, buses are also a good way to see more of the city as you travel.

c) Train:

Trains are useful if you want to travel between Buenos Aires and destinations outside the city center, particularly in the northern and southern suburbs of Buenos Aires.

For most visitors staying in the city, however, trains are less useful for sightseeing than the Subte or buses. Some train lines can also be a convenient option if your itinerary includes areas such as Tigre or San Isidro.

Train fares can be paid with a SUBE card, and some services also accept other payment methods depending on the line. If you are planning a trip outside the city, check the route, timetable and payment options before you travel, as services and schedules can vary between lines.

For planning your journey, Google Maps is usually helpful, although we recommend allowing some extra time in case of delays or changes to the service.

Which public transportation is best in Buenos Aires?

Transport	Best for	Main advantage
Subte	Longer trips across the city	Fast and avoids traffic
Bus	Reaching almost any neighborhood	Extensive network
Taxi	Door-to-door trips	Convenient and direct
Uber/Cabify	When you prefer an app	Easy to request and pay
Bike	Exploring neighborhoods	Fun and flexible
Walking	Short distances	Best way to discover the city

3. Taxis, Uber and Cabify in Buenos Aires

Taxis are easy to find in Buenos Aires, especially in busy areas and around major hotels and attractions. Official taxis are usually black with yellow roofs, and you can either hail one on the street or find them at designated taxi stands.

For visitors, ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Cabify can be a more convenient alternative, particularly if you prefer to know the approximate fare and destination before getting into the car.

a) Taxis:

Buenos Aires taxis use a meter, so the fare is calculated according to the distance and time of the journey. You can pay in cash, and many taxis also accept cards, although it is always a good idea to confirm the available payment method before starting your trip.

Official taxis are generally a good option for short trips or when you can easily find one on the street.

b) Uber, Cabify and Didi:

Uber, Didi and Cabify operate in Buenos Aires and are widely used by locals and visitors. You request the ride through the app, enter your destination, and can usually see the estimated fare before confirming.

For tourists, these apps can be particularly useful when you are carrying luggage, travelling at night, or going somewhere where finding a taxi on the street may be more difficult.

All of those services can pick you up and drop you off at your chosen location, making them a convenient option when you want a door-to-door journey.

4. Ecobici: Buenos Aires' Public Bike-Sharing System

Ecobici is Buenos Aires’ public bike-sharing system, with stations located throughout the city. It can be a convenient option for short trips, especially if you want to move around a neighborhood without taking a bus or taxi.

The bikes are designed mainly for getting from one place to another rather than for sightseeing. For a longer ride or a more comfortable way to explore Buenos Aires by bike, a properly equipped one is a better option.

To use Ecobici, you need to register through the official app and follow the current access and usage conditions. The system has both free and paid options, depending on the type of user and service available.

If you are considering using Ecobici, check the app before setting off to see the location of nearby stations and whether bikes are available. Stations and bike availability can change throughout the day.

For visitors who want to explore several neighborhoods by bike, a guided bike tour can be a more relaxed option: you don’t have to worry about finding a bike or returning it to a station, and you can focus on the city rather than the route.

5. Walking Around Buenos Aires

Walking is one of the best ways to explore Buenos Aires, especially within individual neighborhoods. Many of the city’s most interesting areas are easy to explore on foot, and walking gives you the chance to notice the architecture, cafés, shops and everyday life that you might miss from a bus or taxi.

Buenos Aires is a large city, so walking between distant neighborhoods is not always practical. Instead, we recommend using public transportation or a taxi to get to the area you want to explore, and then discovering it on foot.

Neighborhoods such as San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo and Puerto Madero are particularly enjoyable to explore on foot. The historic center around Plaza de Mayo is also easy to combine with nearby attractions such as Avenida de Mayo, the Obelisco and San Telmo.

If you are comfortable walking, don’t be afraid to explore beyond the main tourist attractions. Some of our favorite experiences in Buenos Aires come from simply wandering through the city’s streets and discovering something unexpected along the way.

Getting Around Buenos Aires: A Few Local Tips

Even though there are many map apps available to help you find a location, we can share some tips that may prove helpful when you’re running out of battery.

A Checkerboard Map

Buenos Aires has a well-organized street grid, which makes navigating the city easier than it may seem.

Most of the city is divided into blocks, known locally as manzanas, with streets forming a regular grid of squares or rectangles. Once you get used to it, this makes it relatively easy to understand your location and estimate how far you need to walk.

The grid is not perfectly regular everywhere, but it is particularly helpful in many of the neighborhoods visitors are most likely to explore.

Understanding Buenos Aires Addresses

Buenos Aires addresses usually include the street name followed by a number, which identifies the location along that street.

Street signs are generally easy to spot, and most navigation apps will give you the exact street number when you search for an address.

One useful detail is that odd and even numbers are normally found on opposite sides of the street. This can help you quickly figure out which side of the road you need to be on.

Understanding the Street Numbering System

Buenos Aires uses a numerical system for most streets and avenues. Street numbers generally increase as you move along a street, while odd and even numbers are placed on opposite sides.

In many parts of the city, the difference between two street numbers can also give you a rough idea of the distance between them. A difference of 100 numbers generally corresponds to one city block, although there are some exceptions.

For example, if you are at number 1869 on Armenia Street and your destination is number 2269, you know that you are roughly four blocks away. It is a useful little trick when you are trying to get your bearings without constantly checking your phone.

Getting Around Buenos Aires: Our Final Tips

Getting around Buenos Aires is relatively easy once you understand how the different transportation options work.

For longer journeys across the city, the Subte is usually the fastest option, while buses are useful when you need to reach areas that are not served by the subway. Taxis, Uber and Cabify are convenient when you want a direct door-to-door journey, and walking is often the best way to explore a neighborhood once you get there.

For short trips, Ecobici can also be useful, although it is designed more for getting from one place to another than for sightseeing.

And if you want to experience Buenos Aires from a different perspective, exploring the city by bike is one of our favorite ways to get around. You can cover more ground than on foot while still having the freedom to stop, look around and discover the city at street level.

Whatever option you choose, don’t worry too much about finding the perfect route. Buenos Aires is a city best experienced by moving through it, and sometimes the most memorable discoveries happen between the places you originally planned to visit.

Getting Around Buenos Aires: Transportation Guide for Visitors

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