Ezeiza International Airport - Ministro Pistarini

Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), commonly known as Ezeiza, is Buenos Aires' main international airport, handling virtually all long-haul flights to and from Argentina. Located 35 km southwest of Buenos Aires city center in the town of Ezeiza.

The airport has three terminals:

• Terminal A: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Austral, some Star Alliance
• Terminal B: American carriers, oneworld, some SkyTeam
• Terminal C: Budget and select carriers

Terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus.

Key airlines: Aerolíneas Argentinas (flag carrier), LATAM, American, United, Delta, Air France, Iberia, British Airways, Emirates, and numerous international carriers.

Buenos Aires Airport System

Buenos Aires has two airports:

Ezeiza (EZE) — 35 km from city center

• All long-haul international flights
• Some regional flights

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) — 2 km from Palermo

• Domestic flights
• Regional flights (Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil)

Connecting between EZE and AEP: Allow 3-4 hours minimum due to Buenos Aires traffic.

• Taxi/Uber: 45-90 minutes, ARS 15,000-25,000
• Tienda León bus: 60-90 minutes, ARS 4,000

EZE is far from central Buenos Aires:

• To Palermo: 35 km, 40-75 minutes
• To Microcentro: 37 km, 45-80 minutes
• To Recoleta: 38 km, 45-80 minutes
• To San Telmo: 35 km, 40-70 minutes
• To Aeroparque (AEP): 40 km, 45-90 minutes

Buenos Aires traffic is unpredictable. Allow extra time, especially for evening flights.

Uber operates at EZE. Pickup is at designated areas outside arrivals.

• To Palermo: ARS 20,000-30,000 (~$20-30 USD at parallel rate)
• To Microcentro: ARS 22,000-32,000
• To Recoleta: ARS 22,000-32,000

Remis (pre-booked car) available from counters in arrivals:

• Fixed prices, reliable
• Book at Manuel Tienda León or other operators

Taxis from official stand:

• More expensive than Uber
• Use only official airport taxis

Important: Argentina's exchange rate situation is complex. See Cash & ATMs section.

Tienda León (Airport Bus)

Tienda León operates comfortable buses to central Buenos Aires:

• Route: EZE → Terminal Madero (Puerto Madero) with some stops
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Journey time: 45-75 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Cost: ARS 6,000-8,000 (~$6-8)
• Hours: 24 hours

1. Purchase ticket at Tienda León counter in arrivals
2. Buses depart from outside the terminal
3. Free shuttle from Terminal Madero to Aeroparque if connecting

Connection to AEP: Tienda León offers combined service—buy through ticket.

Public Bus (Colectivo)

Line 8 runs to city center:

• Very slow, not recommended for visitors
• Requires SUBE card

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Covered	ARS 15,000/day	Terminal adjacent
Open	ARS 10,000/day	Shuttle service

Parking is expensive. Use rideshare if not renting a car.

EZE has improved dining options:

Pre-security:

• Cafés and fast food

Post-security (Terminal A):

• La Parolaccia: Italian/Argentine
• Le Pain Quotidien: Bakery
• Starbucks
• Havanna: Argentine alfajores and coffee
• Various bars and cafés

Try: Empanadas and alfajores (dulce de leche cookies) from Havanna—Argentine staples.

Network: EZE WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Variable, can be slow
• Registration required

SIM cards available from:

• Kiosks in arrivals (Movistar, Claro, Personal)
• Prices: ARS 5,000-8,000 for prepaid with data

Mobile data is useful for Uber and navigation.

ATMs available throughout terminals:

• Santander, BBVA, Banco Nación, Galicia

Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS). Argentina has complex exchange rates:

Three rates to know:

• Official rate: What ATMs/banks give (~350 ARS per USD)—worst for tourists
• Blue dollar (parallel): Informal rate (~1,000 ARS per USD)—much better
• MEP/CCL: For electronic transfers

Recommendation:

• Bring USD cash and exchange at "cuevas" (informal exchange houses) or Western Union in Buenos Aires
• ATMs give the official rate with high fees—avoid if possible
• Some hotels and restaurants accept USD at competitive rates
• Blue dollar rate changes daily—check dolarblue.net

Post-security:

• Duty-free (limited selection)
• Argentine wines and leather
• Alfajores (Havanna)
• Dulce de leche products
• Mate accessories

Best buys: Argentine wine (Malbec), leather goods, alfajores.

Aerolíneas Argentinas Salón Cóndor

• Location: Terminal A
• Access: Aerolíneas Business/First, Aerolíneas Plus Platinum
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi, showers
• Hours: 24 hours

Centurion Lounge (American Express)

• Location: Terminal A
• Access: Amex Platinum/Centurion cardholders
• Amenities: Full meal service, premium drinks, showers

AA Admirals Club

• Location: Terminal B
• Access: AA premium cabin, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire

VIP Lounge AA2000

• Location: Terminal B
• Access: Priority Pass, various cards, or ~$50 walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi

Hotels near EZE are in the Ezeiza area, far from city attractions. Consider staying near AEP (Palermo) if you have a late arrival/early departure.

Buenos Aires is South America's most European city—passionate about tango, steak, and football:

Top neighborhoods (with travel time from EZE):

• Palermo: 50-75 min—trendy restaurants, bars, boutiques, parks
• Recoleta: 50-80 min—elegant architecture, famous cemetery, museums
• San Telmo: 45-70 min—antiques, Sunday market, tango bars
• La Boca: 50-80 min—colorful Caminito, Boca Juniors stadium
• Puerto Madero: 45-65 min—modern waterfront, restaurants

Must-do experiences:

• Tango show or milonga: Experience Argentina's passionate dance
• Parrilla dinner: World-class steak at Don Julio, La Cabrera, or a neighborhood spot
• Recoleta Cemetery: Elaborate mausoleums including Eva Perón's tomb
• Sunday in San Telmo: Antique market stretching for blocks
• Football match: Boca vs River if you're lucky, or any superclásico atmosphere

Argentine cuisine:

• Asado: Argentine BBQ—beef ribs, chorizo, morcilla, provoleta
• Empanadas: Stuffed pastries (beef, chicken, ham & cheese)
• Milanesa napolitana: Breaded cutlet with ham, cheese, tomato sauce
• Dulce de leche: Caramelized milk—in everything
• Malbec: Argentina's signature red wine
• Fernet con coca: Bitter herbal liqueur with Coke

Local tips:

• Dinner is late: Restaurants fill up after 21:00-22:00
• Cash is king: Bring USD and exchange at blue rate for best value
• Safe but aware: Tourist areas are safe; use normal precautions at night
• Siesta culture: Some shops close 13:00-17:00
• Tipping: 10% is standard
• Spring (Sept-Nov) and fall (Mar-May) have best weather
• January-February: Many locals vacation; some businesses close