Argentina is a vast country — it takes roughly the same time to fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia as it does to fly from London to Istanbul. Plan your route carefully.
By bus
The long-distance bus network is excellent and covers almost every corner of the country. Semi-cama (reclining) and cama (lie-flat) services offer reasonable comfort on overnight routes. Buenos Aires has a large central terminal at Retiro. Book ahead during peak season (December–February and July) as popular routes sell out. Prices are very reasonable by international standards.
By air
Domestic flights save enormous amounts of time on longer routes. Aerolíneas Argentinas has the widest network. Budget carriers FlyBondi and JetSMART operate on major routes and can be cheaper, but check baggage fees carefully. Most domestic routes connect through Buenos Aires, even when flying between two southern cities. Book well in advance for Patagonian routes in summer.
By car
Renting a car makes sense in Patagonia and the Lake District, where distances between sights are large and public transport is infrequent. Roads between major cities are generally well-maintained. Fuel is reasonably priced. An international driving permit is not strictly required but useful. In Buenos Aires itself, driving is not recommended — traffic is chaotic and parking is a headache.
Buenos Aires city transport
Buenos Aires has an extensive metro system (the Subte), buses (colectivos), and taxis. The Subte is fast and cheap for getting across the city center. Pay with a rechargeable SUBE card, which also works on buses. For taxis, use the Cabify or Uber apps or call a radio-taxi rather than hailing from the street at night.