Book NOW for $1 £1 €1 • Flexible Payments • No Change Fees • Private Departures Available
Cost of travel in Argentina
An exciting country with a passion for tango, home to buzzing cities, stunning coastlines and some of the world’s best hiking trails. But that doesn’t mean that a holiday to Argentina has to come with a hefty price tag. Argentina is notoriously one of the more expensive countries in South America, but can actually be enjoyed no matter what your budget is. From backpacking around hostels, munching on street-food to indulging in three-course dinners at 5-star luxury resorts, Argentina caters for all ranges of budgets. However, as distances between places are so vast, the cost of public transport can quickly add up. If you’re worried about costs racking up, join a group tour. All the transportation and most of the admission fees will be covered in the tour price so you won’t fall prey to any hidden costs.
So, how much does a holiday to Argentina cost? A budget traveller should allow for around AR$3580 ($60) per day. For a mid-range traveller, we suggest to bring around AR$3580 - AR$11940 ($60 - $200) per day, and if you prefer your holidays to be infused with luxury, then we suggest to budget upwards of AR$11940 ($200) per day. The currency in Argentina is the Argentine pesos.
Food & Drink
Argentina is an excellent destination for foodies. The steak, the wine, the desserts, it would be a shame to miss out. However, meals in restaurants can be a little on the pricy side. Even if you aren’t on a strict budget, we suggest you try Argentinian street food at least a couple of times. Empanadas, choripans, and pizza slices can usually be picked up for AR$59 ($1 USD). A cheap meal in a cafe starts at around AR$238 - AR$358 ($4 - $6 USD), including a drink. Eating a delicious Argentinian steak with a glass of wine will come to approximately AR$716 - AR$895 ($12 - $15 USD).
Transport
Public transport is a great way to travel around Argentina. Buses are generally the easiest and cheapest way to travel, usually costing less than AR$60 ($1 USD) within cities. For example, in Buenos Aires, a one-way ticket will cost about AR$14 ($0.24 USD). You will need to obtain a transit card to use the public transport in Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Mar del Plata, other places will take cash. For travelling longer distances, for example from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, expect to pay around AR$2268 ($38 USD) for a 14-hour bus journey. A taxi should cost approximately AR$149 ($2.50 USD) for 3km.
Admission Fees
Attractions and activities will be one of your highest costs while travelling in Argentina. For example, a 3-4 day hiking tour around Patagonia will cost you around AR$29849 ($500 USD), and a tour of the Mendoza wine region can cost about AR$8954 ($150). For smaller admissions such as museums, you can expect to pay just a couple of US dollars per person, and for entrance fees to national parks, expect to pay between AR$298 - AR$1193 ($5 - $20 USD). Admission fees for national parks are often included in the total price of a group tour.
Tipping & costs in Argentina
Tipping in Argentina is by no means mandatory, but can be expected in a few scenarios. A service charge will rarely be added to a bill (except in luxury resorts and restaurants), so it is up to you to decide whether the service deserves a tip. Remember that a few pesos can go a long way.
-
Restaurants
Tipping is not mandatory in restaurants but is often expected. If you feel like the service was decent, a 10% tip is usually added as standard. However, if you didn’t receive a good service, do not feel obliged to leave a tip. It is customary in Argentina to hand the tip to the waiter/waitress directly, not leave it behind on the table.
-
Guides
We always advise to tip your tour guides no matter whereabouts in the world you are. Usually, the majority of their wages come from tips, so adding on 10-20% goes a long way. If the tour wasn’t as good as expected, then by all means, leave a smaller tip.
-
Transport
Tipping taxi drivers is not common in Argentina as the ride will either be on a meter, or you will have arranged a price before the journey begins. Although, many people round up the fare to the nearest pesos if the driver went particularly out of their way by giving directions, information or helping with your luggage.
Top Tip!
Keep a few pesos in a separate wallet so that you are prepared for tipping.
Can you haggle in Argentina?
Haggling is generally not a common practice in Argentina, however, there are a few scenarios where it is acceptable. Shopping for souvenirs in stores or markets is generally not a place to flex your bargaining skills. A few situations where you can bargain for the price in Argentina are shopping for antiques or expensive art, or organising car rentals or lengthy excursions. You may also be able to negotiate a lower price for your hotel room if you are travelling during the off-season.
Featured Tours
UP TO35% OFF
Route: Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Days: 6
Code: HBR
Style: Group Tour
US$1,559
From
US$ 1,013
UP TO25% OFF
Route: Santiago to Buenos Aires
Days: 12
Code: HPSB
Style: Group Tour
US$2,899
From
US$ 2,174
UP TO35% OFF
Route: Lima to Rio de Janeiro
Days: 32
Code: HSH
Style: Group Tour
US$7,719
From
US$ 5,017
