Buenos Aires Cruise Port: Everything you need to know

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Buenos Aires Cruise Port: its location, distance from the city center, transportation options to get there, and the array of activities available around the terminal. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by some hidden gems, as I assist you in ensuring a seamless experience in Argentina’s vibrant capital.

Read more: the 14 best tango show in Buenos Aires to see

Location of Buenos Aires Cruise Port Terminal 

The Buenos Aires Cruise Port is officially known as the Benito Quinquela Martín Passenger Terminal, situated at Av. Ramón Castillo 13. However, beware when using Google Maps, as typing in “cruise port Buenos Aires” may lead you astray to a different location across the city. You can click on the addresses, it is with a direct link to Google Maps.

How far is Buenos Aires cruise port from the city?

The cruise port sits right by the city center of Buenos Aires. It’s just a 20-minute stroll (1.4 km / 0.6 miles) to reach one of the bustling squares, “Plaza San Martin,” or a 50-minute walk (3.2 km / 1.3 miles) to get to the iconic Obelisco. Still, I’d highly suggest grabbing a taxi from the cruise port to the city center instead.

Can you walk from the cruise port Buenos Aires?

It’s not advisable to walk around the cruise port area in Buenos Aires as it’s not safe. I highly recommend opting for a taxi to reach the city center, which is also the fastest mode of transportation. There is no subway or public transport near the cruise port. You can ask the taxi driver to drop you off at Plaza San Martin and begin your exploration from there. I’ve marked the unsafe area on the map above.

Fortunately, there’s a taxi stand nearby the cruise port. Additionally, if you’ve booked any activities, shuttle buses typically pick up passengers from there.

Airport shuttle or transfer to cruise port Buenos Aires

For the most convenient and comfortable journey from any airport in Buenos Aires to the cruise port, I highly recommend opting for a taxi or private transfer. From my experience, private transfer services tend to be more reliable, especially considering that regular taxis often lack sufficient luggage space due to the LNG tank in the trunk.

These services are available from both Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) and Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to the cruise port.

AEP to the cruise port

It only takes 15 minutes to reach Benito Quinquela Martín Passenger Terminal from AEP airport. Despite the short distance you might see on the map, I want to stress again: please don’t walk there! You can easily book here a private transfer for your convenience.

EZE to the cruise port

It typically takes around 50 minutes to reach the cruise terminal from Ezeiza International Airport, where many international flights from the USA and Europe arrive. In this scenario as well, I strongly suggest considering a private transfer service. However, keep in mind that your cruise company may specify an hour for embarkation to begin. Waiting around the cruise terminal isn’t the most enjoyable experience for me. Instead, I prefer either waiting at the airport or making a stop in the city first.

Things to do around the cruise port

Nothing. You’ll need to grab a taxi from the cruise port to get to the city. My preferred starting point is Plaza San Martin (link to Google Maps).

Another excellent option is the sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off bus in Buenos Aires. You can book your tickets online here. At the cruise terminal, the yellow Hop-On Hop-Off bus has a reception desk that organizes a shuttle to the nearest stop. Keep in mind, I don’t recommend walking from the cruise terminal to the closest stop near Retiro train station.

Once you’re at Plaza San Martin, you can kick off your day trip in the city. From there, you have options: you can hop on the hop-on hop-off bus, stroll along Calle Florida towards the presidential palace “Casa Rosada,” continue on to San Telmo, and then loop back via Puerto Madero.

I wrote an article if it is something for you the hop-on hop-off bus. Also check here the top 25 things to do in Buenos Aires.

If you’re into museums, I’ve put together a list of the top 12 museums in Buenos Aires. And guess what? Most of them are totally free to get into!

I also have a contact for a great private guide with car. You can book the private city tour here online.

Below I give you my best things to list. Feel free to check them out:

• Watch a tango show in Buenos Aires with an optional dinner
• The Must-Do Food Tour in the City 
• Follow an Argentine cooking class in the evening
• Book a bike tour and see the city in 4 hours
• Take the hop-on hop-off bus
• Get the best steak at Fogón Asado

Hotels near the cruise port

The best hotels near the cruise port of Buenos Aires are Sheraton, Park Plaza, CARLES hotel, Four Seasons, Sofitel, and Emperador. But there are many nice hotels in the city for each budget and type of travel.

I made a list of hotels for each neighborhood:

• Best hotels in Buenos Aires
• Top hotels in San Telmo
• The hotels in Palermo