By plane
How long it takes
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.
Prices
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.
One tip if you’re flying with Aerolíneas
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
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)
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
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
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
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.
