colleen62

We are planning our first trip to Argentina for May of 2025. We will be flying from the United States to Buenos Aires and then would like to connect to another flight to begin our trip in Bariloche. We prefer to fly in and out of EZE and not change airports. We can either pick a 2 hour and 25 minute layover, a 8 hour layover. Is 2 hours and 25 minutes enough time? I'm thinking we will need to go through customs, reclaim our baggage and check into our other airline and go back through customs. Another option is be begin our trip at Iguazu Falls in which case we would have a 3 1/2 hour layover. This sounds more reasonable, but I think the weather in Bariloche will be better in early May versus mid May. We have several places we want to visit while in Argentina, but only looking at taking direct flights from one location to another. I'm not interested in overnighting in Buenos Aires, we will spend a few days there at the end of our trip. Any suggestions would be helpful.

crellston

My experience with airlines in Argentina has never been positive. Partly the reason we use long distance buses where possible. Whenever I have booked flights that far in advance, they have often been changed or cancelled or re-routed. The worst example was a "direct" 2 hour flight from Salta to Iguazu. This was changed six times in as many months and finally ended up being indirect via BA and lasting 8 hours. Our next flight from Iguazu to BA was brought forward way 30 mins whilst we were on our way to the airport! Expect the unexpected!

Whilst it is sensible to go for direct flights where possible, just be aware that in Argentina things can change without warning and the airlines seem to have little regard for passengers. Many flights will be routed through BA. depending upon where you are going it may well be worth considering the long distance buses. The first line companies like Andesmar , Pullman etc are excellent. The longer routes are rschedule overnight and book first class and you get a lie flat seat in a dedicated cabin on the lower deck, similar to business class on a good airline.

Not sure the weather in Bariloche will change much in a couple of weeks.

mjs

It has been 4 years since I was last in Argentina but my experiences there are c/w crellston who has much more experience than me in South America. I do not know where you plan to go but most flights in Argentina pass through Buenos Aires. I also do not think a few weeks in May will see much of a change in weather in Bariloche.

colleen62

Thank you pjs and crellston for your suggestions. I am excited to plan our visit to Argentina.

skatedancer

We were just in Argentina and Aerolineas Argentina changed all our domestic flights. I had built in time to our itinerary knowing that we might have issues getting places. While most flights do connect in BA, I believe that there is a direct flight from Bariloche to Iguazu (or at least there was one about two weeks ago.

We also discovered that what is offered online is not necessarily all the options. We were fortunate that our hotel concierge took the time to call the airline for us to rebook when Aerolineas made a connection change that was impossible because they routed us into AEP and out of EZE with two hours only. (Original flight flew in and out of EZE). He was able to get us flights that were not offered online.

mlgb

I would be cautious about booking a same-day connection in Buenos Aires. Especially if you are on two different airlines.

As I was waiting to board my flight last year, I ran into a fellow passenger from my cruise, who had his flight home delayed by 12 hours! His flight home would not likely have been on one of the Argentine airlines but more likely a delay due to general chaos (as in strikes and protests). If Argentina is anything like Peru, and I don't know if that is true, May is the month for wholesale flight rescheduling (and strikes). Always have a Plan B (and C). And don't book anything nonrefundable on the day after your (planned) arrival.
I felt bad for my taxi driver between the airport and my hotel. His half hour estimate turned into more than an hour.
So 2 hours 3 hours 8 hours will not matter. I would book an overnight in a hotel with a good front desk and internet.

colleen62

Thank you skate dancer for your tips. I haven't booked any of our flights for within the country, but have been doing lots of looking and I see they are constantly changing. It makes it hard for making any reservations. Looks. like I'll be waiting until closer to our departure date.

colleen62

Thank you mlgb. We have definitely decided to spend our first night in Buenos Aires. Hopefully things will be a little more calm when we are in. Argentina.