Ministro Pistarini International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Ezeiza, the country's main international gateway, is 35 km from downtown Buenos Aires: via the Autopista Ricchieri the trip takes 35-40 minutes outside rush hour, but between 7 and 9 and between 17 and 19:30 it can take over an hour. There's no train to downtown: only the fixed-price taxis from the official stands in arrivals, private remise services (Manuel Tienda León, Transfer Express, On Baires, VIP Cars) or the Tienda León bus, which takes about an hour to the Puerto Madero terminal. Because of this anyone with more than one night ahead almost always comes out ahead sleeping in the city, leaving a hotel near the runways only for stopovers of a few hours or departures before dawn, when every minute of transfer eats into sleep.

At the airport

About 3 minutes on foot from the arrivals area, with reception open round the clock; the capsules can be rented even just for the time between two flights.

Best for: Stopovers of a few hours and dawn flights, when it's not worth leaving the airport grounds even by car.

Pros

Reached on foot, no need for taxis or shuttles
Maxi Pod and Mini Pod capsules bookable even for just a few hours, with self-service lockers for luggage

Cons

Bathroom and shower are shared, not in the room
Outside the airport grounds there's nothing: no restaurants or shops nearby

Recommended hotels in this area

My pod Capsule Boutique Airport: Capsule hotel about 3 minutes on foot from the Ezeiza arrivals area, with Maxi Pod and Mini Pod capsules bookable even just for the time between two flights; self-service luggage lockers and common areas open round the clock.

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Ezeiza, outside the airport grounds

Airport area · Free shuttle on request, about 7 minutes by car from the terminals; by taxi the ride costs about the same as the hotel's own service.

Best for: Those arriving late or leaving early who prefer a traditional hotel a few minutes from the terminals, with a pool to rest before a long flight.

Pros

Free shuttle included, no need to negotiate a taxi on arrival
Outdoor pool and spa area handy before a long overnight flight

Cons

It's in Ciudad Evita, a residential area with no evening life
For dinner you almost always stay in the hotel's restaurants

Recommended hotels in this area

Marriott Hotel Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport: In Ciudad Evita, about 7 minutes by car from Ezeiza's terminals, with free shuttle on request; outdoor pool and spa for those arriving on a long flight.

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Microcentro and Retiro

City centre · Manuel Tienda León bus from the airport to the Puerto Madero terminal in about an hour, departures every 30 minutes from 6 to 23; remise cars and fixed-price taxis take 35-60 minutes depending on traffic on the Ricchieri.

Best for: Those who want the bus/train terminal for the rest of the country just steps away and the Obelisco within walking distance.

Pros

Retiro San Martín station is about 6 minutes on foot from the Sheraton, handy for regional buses and trains
From the Marriott Downtown and the Microcentro you can see the whole Avenida 9 de Julio toward the Obelisco

Cons

The area around Retiro is busy and less welcoming in the evening
The Tienda León bus only reaches the Puerto Madero terminal: from there another taxi is needed for the Microcentro

Recommended hotels in this area

Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center: Near Plaza San Martín, with the Retiro San Martín and Catalinas stations about 6 minutes on foot; indoor pool, Turkish bath and two restaurants, including one serving Italian cuisine.
NH Buenos Aires Florida: In the commercial district of the Microcentro, a few steps from the pedestrian Calle Florida; 162 rooms with wooden floors and a desk, within easy walking distance of the Sheraton Convention Center.

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Recoleta

Neighbourhood · Remise car or taxi from the airport in 40-60 minutes depending on traffic; no direct bus, always passing through the Tienda León terminal in Puerto Madero.

Best for: Those seeking classic luxury among French-style boutiques and the monumental cemetery, accepting the longest transfer in this guide.

Pros

Avenida Alvear and its surroundings remain among the cleanest and safest areas of the city even in the evening
Boutiques and art galleries reachable on foot from the neighbourhood's hotels

Cons

The transfer from the airport is the longest among all the areas in this guide
Nightlife is scarce: for bars you need to head to Palermo

Recommended hotels in this area

Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires: On Avenida Alvear, it combines the restored historic Duhau palace with the newer Posadas building, built in architectural harmony with it; 165 rooms including 39 suites, three restaurants, an inner garden and a cigar bar.
Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta: On calle Posadas, amid Recoleta's French architecture and the neighbourhood's boutiques; 175 rooms, an indoor pool, sauna and garden, with The Brick restaurant for breakfast.

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Palermo

Neighbourhood · Remise car or taxi from the airport in about 45-60 minutes depending on traffic; same options as the other areas, no direct bus to Palermo.

Best for: Those who want nightlife, restaurants and galleries on foot, even at the cost of a longer transfer from the airport.

Pros

Neighbourhood with the city's highest concentration of restaurants and bars
The Línea D metro connects in a few minutes to the Microcentro, no need for another taxi

Cons

The transfer from the airport is among the longest in this guide
Some side streets of Palermo Soho are poorly lit at night

Recommended hotels in this area

Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires Palermo: Five minutes on foot from Palermo Soho and from plaza Serrano, with a panoramic rooftop terrace used for the buffet breakfast and for dinners with a view over the city.

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San Telmo and Puerto Madero

Neighbourhood · Remise car or taxi from the airport in 40-55 minutes; Puerto Madero is also the terminus of the Tienda León bus, handy for those staying in this area.

Best for: Those seeking the colonial charm of San Telmo or the modernity of Puerto Madero, with restaurants along the riverside.

Pros

Puerto Madero is the terminus of the Tienda León bus, useful for those who don't want another taxi after the bus
San Telmo has the Sunday antiques fair in plaza Dorrego

Cons

San Telmo is lively but with streets less lit at night compared to Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is relatively isolated from the rest of the city: for the Microcentro a taxi or a long walk is needed

Recommended hotels in this area

Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton: In a 1906 building on plaza Dorrego, in the heart of San Telmo; 50 rooms across 4 floors with floor-to-ceiling windows, Acacia bar for a glass of Malbec among the building's original walls.
Hilton Buenos Aires: In Puerto Madero, on Av. Macacha Güemes about 1.5 km from downtown; glass atrium, rooftop pool and 417 air-conditioned rooms with minibar.

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