Do I need a SUBE card in Buenos Aires?

Yes, if you want to use the city buses (colectivos), which require it. The Subte now also accepts contactless bank cards, but a SUBE is still the simplest, cheapest way to use all public transport. It costs only a few dollars and you load it with credit at stations and kiosks.

Is Uber available in Buenos Aires?

Yes. Both Uber and Cabify operate in Buenos Aires and work well, and are often the easiest and safest option at night or with luggage. Licensed black-and-yellow taxis are also plentiful, metered, and inexpensive, and can be flagged from the street.

Getting Around Buenos Aires: SUBE, Subte & Taxis

Buenos Aires is large but well connected, with a cheap and extensive public transport network plus inexpensive taxis. Here is the simple version that works for almost every visitor.

Get a SUBE card first

Buy a rechargeable SUBE card the moment you arrive; it is the key to almost all public transport. The card costs only a few dollars (you just need your passport), and you load it with credit at Subte stations, kiosks (kioskos), and lottery outlets. It works as tap-to-pay on the Subte, the city buses, and the trains, and removes nearly all the friction of getting around. As of late 2024 the Subte also accepts Visa and Mastercard contactless payments, but the SUBE is still required for buses.

The Subte (metro)

The Subte has six lines (A, B, C, D, E, and H) covering the most central, densely populated corridors. Trains run roughly every three to ten minutes from about 5:30am to 11:30pm on weekdays, with reduced hours on weekends. It is the fastest way to cross the center, but the network does not reach every barrio, so pair it with buses or taxis.

Colectivos (city buses)

The colectivos (also called bondis) are the workhorse of the city: hundreds of routes covering everywhere the Subte does not, running 24 hours a day. Fares are extremely cheap with a SUBE card. Apps like Cuando Llega, Moovit, or Google Maps make routing manageable; tell the driver your destination so the right fare is charged.

Taxis and ride apps

The city's black-and-yellow taxis are plentiful, metered, and inexpensive, and easy to flag from the street. Uber and Cabify also operate well and are often the simplest option, especially at night, with luggage, or when you do not speak Spanish. The smart approach is SUBE for daytime and short trips, and a ride app for evenings and longer journeys.

Trains and the airport

Suburban trains (also on the SUBE) reach the Tigre Delta and other day-trip destinations. From Ezeiza international airport, use an official taxi desk or a pre-booked transfer rather than touts; the city-center Aeroparque (AEP) airport is much closer in. Allow plenty of time for traffic at peak hours.

When to just walk

Within a barrio, walking is usually the best option: Palermo, Recoleta, San Telmo, and the center are a pleasure on foot, and much of the city's charm is in its streets, cafes, and bookshops. Save transit for crossing between neighborhoods, and use a taxi or app after dark.

Getting Around Buenos Aires