Argentina Bus Journey: A Very Pleasant Way to Move About the Country

Alejandra and I took the intercity omnibus from the capital to Village Belgrano — Argentina’s little German enclave in the Andes foothills and close to the spot where many Argentine’s believe Hitler lived out his last days.

She and I settled into our executive chairs, I turned on the LED display, stretched out and flipped through the video collection. I requested a Coke, and told the waiter what I wanted for dinner — steak and potatoes. Ale and I ate while viewing the movie. Later, feeling drowsy, we shifted our seats back to their bed-like position and slept.

Welcome to bus travel Argentina style; a mode exponentially separated from the buses people are accustomed to in America. And better, the 12-hour excursion — counting our steak dinner and breakfast the next morning? Only $100 each.

Jerry Nelson is an American freelance travel writer and has traveled to 155 countries. Now living in Buenos Aires, Jerry continues to contribute top-rated travel stories to some of the world’s top magazines filled with wanderlust. Email him at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com and join the million-or-so who follow him on Twitter @ Journey_America.

If this sounds like a fantasy or a first-class flight, you are experienced in the prison-cage reality people endure on U.S. bus transportation.

In the USA, the bulk of inter-city routes are operated by Greyhound. Tickets are pricey, the carriers crowded and filthy; other than a rank bathroom, amenities don’t exist. Ale’s and my experience is normal here.

This immense, beautiful country boasts must-see spots everywhere. At first glance, traveling here appears daunting. The idea of crossing the nation in anything other than a plane seems like torture. Instead, the kilometers go by as you unwind and enjoy being spoiled on one of the nation’s intercity “collectivo” lines.

On Argentine coaches, you select the type of bed you like — Cama (bed), Semi-Cama (semi-bed), Cama-Suite (bed suite) and Cama Ejecutivo (Executive bed). Our meal came on an exec class pass, but even the economy class offers amusements, meals, and movies.

While Argentina’s souring finances drive costs higher each year, the buses are still much lower than the common journey in America.

Bus travel in Argentina is something to be experienced.