Over 800 miles (1,290 km) separate Buenos Aires and San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina’s scenic Lake District. The easiest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, which takes 2.5 hours.
Flights depart from three different airports in the Buenos Aires area—most leave from Aeroparque (AEP) in Palermo and Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), 20 miles (31 km) outside the city. Local low-cost airlines leave from the El Palomar Airport (EPA), accessible from central Buenos Aires by train or shuttle bus.
There are also several long-haul passenger buses that make the 21-hour journey from the Retiro bus station to Bariloche every day.
By Plane
Duration: 2.5 hours, plus travel to/from airports
Flying out of Aeroparque is the most convenient and popular option, saving you a trip outside of the city limits. Located on the edge of the Palermo neighborhood, the airport is easily accessible by taxi or with the local 37, 45 and 160 buses. Aerolineas Argentinas, Norwegian Air, LATAM, and Andes Lineas Aeras all offer flights from Aeroparque to Bariloche.
Aerolineas Argentinas and LATAM also offer several flights a week from Ezeiza airport, which is located 20 miles outside the city. Depending on traffic, reaching Ezeiza usually takes at least an hour. The easiest way to get to Ezeiza is to book a taxi or private car in advance, and the Tienda Leon transfer company also offers shuttle buses from Puerto Madero to the airport.
Local low-cost airlines FlyBondi and jetSMART offer daily flights to Bariloche out of El Palomar Airport, in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. You can reach El Palomar by taking the San Martin train line from Retiro or a Tienda Leon shuttle bus from Puerto Madero. Reaching El Palomar from the city center will take around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Once you land in Bariloche, you can take a taxi or drive your rental car into the city in 25 minutes.
By Bus
Duration: 21 hours
Via Bariloche has multiple daily departures connecting Buenos Aires and Bariloche. The bus route offers some nice mountain scenery on the last leg of the 21-hour route, though it doesn't quite make up for the length of the trip. Different seating options are available, from semi-cama reclining seats to cama ejecutivo options with fully reclining beds, meals, blankets, and pillows (similar to business class seating on an airplane). The Bariloche bus terminal is 3 miles (5 km) outside of the city—from there, you can take a taxi or local bus.
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