How to Get Around in Buenos Aires, Argentina

As someone who has spent most of her life living in small towns in the woods of New Hampshire, I have always loved the opportunity to use public transportation. Taxis, buses, trains -- it always felt like an adventure because taxis or Ubers were fairly scarce in my hometown. Because of this, it was an exciting time that meant new travel and visiting family or friends. My favorite way to travel with my family on public transportation is by train, because I can watch the city go by and feel the rumbling car as it zooms by.

This is el colectivo 152. This was the main colectivo I got to know as it was my direct transportation from home to the study center.

While studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I encountered los colectivos (buses), taxis, and el subte (the subway). Los colectivos were my favorite, although el subte was easiest to figure out. Depending on when you catch them, los colectivos and el subte tend to have way too few seats and way too many people trying to fill the space. It is very common to have the experience where the doors open, and you then have to push your way into the already packed car.

This is a very common scene on the subte, with seemingly no room although porteños (citizens of Buenos Aires) will somehow always find space.

Although el subte was the easiest transportation to figure out, walking was the all time best. If possible, I would prefer to walk everywhere when in a city because you get to experience the city directly. After that, colectivos are best for fully experiencing the city, but el subte is cheaper than colectivos and quicker. It does not take long at all to figure out what works for you and there are always people walking around who can be asked for help.

Ellie Pomer is a CEA Alumni Insider who studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the Spring 2019 semester. She is currently a student at Ithaca College.