Buenos Aires to Mendoza: how to get there

Mendoza sits roughly 1,000 km / 620 miles west of Buenos Aires — too far to drive comfortably, too close to ignore. Almost every wine trip in Argentina includes this leg, and the choice between flying and the overnight bus shapes the first day of your journey more than you’d think. Here is the honest comparison.

The short answer

Fly. Almost always fly. A flight takes under two hours and costs as little as USD 40–90 one-way if you book a few weeks in advance. The 14-hour overnight bus is a uniquely Argentine experience — beds, dinner, breakfast — but unless you actively want it or you’re on a tight budget, the flight wins on every practical measure.

Flying: the essential details

How long it takes

About 1 hour 55 minutes in the air, plus airport time on both ends. Plan for 3–4 hours door-to-door including taxis and check-in.

Which airlines fly the route

Three airlines compete on this route, which keeps prices low:

• Aerolíneas Argentinas — the national carrier, most flights, full-service.
• JetSMART — low-cost, often the cheapest tickets.
• Flybondi — low-cost, similar price band to JetSMART.

There are around 95 flights per week between the two cities — so frequency is never an issue.

Which Buenos Aires airport

This is the most important detail of the whole trip. Buenos Aires has two airports:

• Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) — in the city, 15 minutes from the centre. Use this for Mendoza if you can.
• Ministro Pistarini / Ezeiza (EZE) — the international airport, 45 minutes to an hour outside town.

Most Mendoza flights leave from AEP, which is much easier. If you’re connecting from an international flight that lands at EZE the same day, you’ll either need to transfer between the two airports (allow at least three hours to be safe — Buenos Aires traffic is real) or fly from EZE directly to Mendoza, which is possible but with fewer options.

Prices

• Cheap zone: USD 40–90 one-way if you book 4+ weeks ahead.
• Average: USD 90–150.
• Last minute or peak (Vendimia in March, December–January summer): can climb to USD 200+.
• Cheapest months: generally August (winter, low season).
• Book at least 4 weeks in advance to save around 30% compared to last-minute prices.

Mendoza airport

You land at Governor Francisco Gabrielli (MDZ) — El Plumerillo in local conversation — about 15 minutes from Mendoza city. Taxi or Uber-style apps are easy.

One tip if you’re flying with Aerolíneas

Arrive three hours early. Aerolíneas Argentinas’s domestic check-in queues can be brutal at AEP, especially on weekends and around Vendimia. JetSMART and Flybondi check-in closes 40 minutes before departure, so don’t push it.

The overnight bus: the romantic option

Argentina has one of the great long-distance bus cultures in the world, and the Buenos Aires–Mendoza overnight is one of its most famous routes. It is not like a Greyhound. The top tier is closer to a flatbed flight: a fully reclining “Cama” or “Suite” seat, hot meal, breakfast, attendants, sometimes wine and champagne included.

How long it takes

About 14–16 hours. Departures usually leave Buenos Aires around 7–9 PM and arrive in Mendoza early the next morning — so the time on the bus replaces a hotel night.

Bus classes (this is where the experience changes)

You will see baffling names on booking sites. The simple ladder:

• Semicama — half-reclining seat. Cheapest. Honestly not great for 14 hours.
• Cama — full or near-full recline (~160°). The mainstream choice.
• Cama Suite / Suite Premium / VIP — full 180° flat bed, like business class. Best sleep, often with champagne and a real dinner.

For the overnight, don’t go below Cama. The extra USD 30–40 for a flat bed is worth every penny.

Prices

• Semicama: ~USD 45–60
• Cama: ~USD 70–100
• Cama Suite: ~USD 100–130

So even the top-tier bus is usually cheaper than a same-day flight booked late.

Which companies

The major operators on this route include Andesmar, Cata Internacional, Flecha Bus and Chevallier. All are reliable; Andesmar tends to be the most-recommended for the top tiers.

Where it leaves and arrives

• Buenos Aires: Terminal de Ómnibus de Retiro (most services) — central, easily reachable. A few services leave from Liniers.
• Mendoza: Terminal Mendoza, ~15 minutes from the city centre.

When to take the bus instead of flying

There are a few real cases:

• You want the experience. The overnight Argentine bus is itself a piece of the country.
• You’re on a tight budget and can sleep on transport.
• You’re already in Buenos Aires Retiro and don’t want to deal with airports.
• Flights to Mendoza are sold out or extremely expensive on your dates.

For most travelers, though, the flight is the right answer — especially for a wine trip where you want to land fresh in Mendoza ready to start tasting.

One more option: train

There is no direct passenger train between Buenos Aires and Mendoza in regular service. Don’t believe old guides that mention one — it has been off the tourist menu for years.

Putting it together: a practical first day

Most travelers do this:

1. Morning: check out of Buenos Aires hotel, taxi to Aeroparque (AEP).
2. Early afternoon: fly to Mendoza, land at MDZ.
3. Late afternoon: taxi/Uber to your hotel in Mendoza city, Luján de Cuyo or the Uco Valley.
4. Evening: dinner in Mendoza city or at the bodega/hotel restaurant, an early glass of Malbec to begin the trip.

If you’re following our 14-day Argentine wine itinerary, this is Day 3 or 4 of the trip — and the gateway to the heart of the journey.

For planning around season and weather, see our best time to visit guide. For which estates to prioritise once you land, see our best wineries in Mendoza guide. For the trip itself, browse our wine tours.