Argentina wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t say something about the easiest thing to do when you’re on a trip: taking a taxi in Buenos Aires. What are the tourist traps, the cost of taxi in Buenos Aires, how to explain where to go, and can you pay for a taxi in Buenos Aires with a credit card? TAXI!
Read also: the best tango shows in Buenos Aires
Taking a taxi in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has over more than 38.000 taxis driving around in the city. The chances are high to catch a taxi within 5 minutes. The official taxies are painted in yellow and black. Look out for the sticker on the front doors. It’s the license code of the taxi. Also inside the taxi, you will see a paper with the credentials of the driver and car.
I suggest taking a taxi with a sticker or rooftop sign with a “Radio taxi” on it. If afterward, you have a complaint, you can call the company. But most importantly, the driver will follow the company policy and need to fulfill some requirements. For example, having all the licenses, maintained car, and following the traffic rules because they represent the company.
Check out the executive taxi service in Buenos Aires
Cost of taxi in Buenos Aires?
The cost of a taxi in Buenos Aires is regulated by the city government. First, the taxi in Buenos Aires is obligated to use the meter. So, check it that the driver turned it on. There is a standard fare during the daytime with a start fare of $657 ARS (USD 0,81 / €0,79). Afterward, it is $67,50 ARS (USD 0,08 / €0,06) per 200 meters (670 feet). During night time from 22h00 until 6h00 in the morning, there is an increase of 20%.
To give you an idea. The cost of a taxi in Buenos Aires from Plaza de Mayo to the cemetery of Recoleta will cost you around $1933 ARS (USD 2,39 / €2,34). A distance of 4,7km and an estimated travel time of 15 minutes.
Most of the taxis in Buenos Aires do only accept cash. Therefore, the best way is to pay in cash. I suggest having banknotes of $100 ARS with you. It’s easier and fewer chances to be a victim of a scam.
Read article: how getting from Ezeiza airport to Buenos Aires
Do taxis in Buenos Aires take credit cards?
It is convenient to pay for your taxi ride with a credit card. But do taxis in Buenos Aires take credit cards? Yes, up to 46% of the total taxi fleet has a system to accept credit card payments (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, AMEX, …). Look out for the sticker “MercadoPago” (see image below) on the taxi window or to be sure, ask the taxi driver in English or follow sentence: “podemos pagar con tarjeta de crédito?”.
Taxi from and to Buenos Aires airport
It is easier to take a taxi from Buenos Aires city to the airports in Buenos Aires. They will use the meter and you choose the taxi that passes you.
TIP: Taxi to Aeroparque airport? The pickup time needs to be 2h30 prior to the hour of flight departure. Taxi to Ezeiza airport? Pick-up time 4h prior to the flight departure.
One of the most famous radio taxis is “Taxi Premium“.
Another option is to book a private airport transfer with me. You can use the service for your arrival at Buenos Aires International Airport and use the return for the next domestic flight.
Taxi from Buenos Aires airport to the city center
Taking a taxi from the airport back to your hotel is another story. Around the airports, there are more bad taxi guys operating. I experienced it myself countless times because I wanted to be sure that it was not a one-time bad experience.
I took multiple times a taxi from Jorge Newbery and Ezeiza to Buenos Aires City. Every time I had a bad car and a horrible driver. I asked my friends and it is known that the worst drivers are putting themselves in a line at the airport.
You need to take the first car in line, you cannot choose. They ask to take a faster route but at an extra charge. Which is unusual. Also, they drive very fast and unsafe because they want to return fast to the airport for the next customer. Another example is the taxi driver’s certificate inside the car was of somebody else. How did I know it? A guy was driving and he didn’t look like “Veronica”.
The chance that a cowboy is behind the wheel is high. And if you don’t feel safe how the taxi drivers ride, just stop it!
If you want to take a taxi from Buenos Aires airport to the city center, you will need the following steps.
The city introduced the taxi QR system at Jorge Newbery (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE) airport. Before heading to the taxi lane, you need to connect to the WiFi, scan the QR code, and fill in all the details on the website. Keep the address with you because you need it on the website.
At the end of filling in all the details, you will receive a QR code. Head to the waiting line and show the QR code to the driver. They just want to know the destination. The price is normally fixed unless the driver says that he knows a “faster” route for an extra price.
Are you arriving at Buenos Aires International Airport (Ezeiza)? Read article: how getting from Ezeiza airport to Buenos Aires”
Personally, I would not recommend taking a taxi from Jorge Newbery or Ezeiza to Buenos Aires city. Of course, my personal experience.
Health safety measures
In Buenos Aires, you take a taxi like you would a bus. The price of a taxi is also quite good for residents and there is always a taxi nearby.
After the outbreak of coronavirus, the taxi drivers started to adapt to the new situation and created – each in its own way – to ensure the health and safety of the passengers and themselves.
One taxi has a nicely installed wall in the car and others use a plastic curtain that reminds you of your shower curtain. I also note that almost all taxis drive with open windows so that the car is always aired.
The common scams to tourists
There are bad apples on the market. You will find them mainly around the airport. A common scam: when ending the ride the taxi driver will stop the meter and say how much it cost. For example, $1500 ARS. You will take a banknote of $2000 or $1000. You give the banknote, the driver will put it between the legs to look for exchange but the driver will say he doesn’t have enough exchange. The driver gives the banknote back. But in a blink of an eye, he switched it to a counterfeit banknote. That’s why I suggest having some $100 or $200 peso bills with you to pay the exact amount.
Also, making a huge detour to the destination is a common scam. Below we give you some tips to avoid that.
Explain where to go
When taking a taxi in Buenos Aires it’s best to say the street and the nearest cross street. For example, your hotel is in “Avenida de Mayo” and the nearest cross street is “Piedras”. Say to the taxi driver: go to Avenida de Mayo and Piedras. The taxi will drop you off on the corner of that intersection.
Also, follow the route on your smartphone. It gives you an idea of where you are. Feel free to say “stop” to the driver when you are near.
Last tip: if the drivers give you an option for which street to take. Say one of the streets that the driver mentioned. It gives the idea that the taxi driver can’t fool you and you give the impression that you know the city.
Read also: where to buy an Argentinian SIM card?
Do you tip the taxi drivers?
When taking a taxi in Buenos Aires it’s common to round up the amount of the ride. The rides cost $1200, and you can give $1300 or less. Just a round number is fine.
Is it cheaper to take a taxi or Uber?
Be aware that Uber is not that legal in Buenos Aires. Uber is in a grey zone. Around the airport, it’s not that convenient because the driver will ask you to meet further away from the terminal to avoid the official taxis in Buenos Aires. However, Cabify is legal.
My experience is that an official taxi in Buenos Aires can be the cheapest option during rush hours at Aeroparque (AEP) airport. You can easily make the comparison by going to the taxi screen at Aeroparque airport (see below), fill in your details and get a price with an official taxi. In the meantime, you can compare the price with Uber of Cabify on your phone.
At Buenos Aires International Airport Ezeiza is Uber of Cabify often cheaper. At this moment there are no taxi screens available there. This means that the taxi driver asks a fixed price and is mostly too high.
In the city, it all depends on the demand of the moment. But in general, an Uber or Cabify are some pesos cheaper. Above all, Uber of Cabify is handier if you want to pay with your credit card and when the demand is low.
Official taxi Buenos Aires app (iOS/Android)
The city government launched a taxi mobile application to make it easier to get a taxi. It’s an app like Uber and Cabify, but only available in Spanish. Selected your pick up location and destination. It’s convenient at a moment that there is no taxi around. However, in our opinion, it’s much easier to just go outside and hail a taxi. There are taxies everywhere in Buenos Aires ?.
Do you tip taxi drivers Buenos Aires?
You don't need to tip the taxi drivers in Buenos Aires. However, rounding up to an easy amount is a common thing to do.
Is Uber available in Buenos Aires?
Yes, you can take an Uber in Buenos Aires. But I rather suggest taking a premium option in the app for better maintained cars.
How much does a taxi cost in Buenos Aires?
Initial charge is 1,23 USD and 0,13 USD for each 200 meters. During night (10 PM till 6 AM) additional charge of 20%.
19 Comments
Hi Glenn, may i ask for your suggestion for private transport form the airport? We will arrive on 31st of december at 20:25.
Thank you, Michal
Hi Michal, the only options are a taxi there on the moment or a transfer that is available. Maybe an online app will help but I’m not sure about the availability that moment.
So how do you recommend getting from the Ezeiza airport to Buenos Aires city?
Hi Ian, that depends on the budget and comfort you want. My preference after a long-haul flight is with a private transfer. A taxi is also a good option but you need to wait in line. The bus is the slowest option and most budget friendly.
Hi Ian
we are debarking the Cruise ship in Buenos Aires on the morning of Dec 1st and our flight is 9:40pm. I have booked private accommodation in the city center to spend the day. My concern is whether there will be taxis on the Port to take us to the hotel, there are 4 of us with baggage. Additionally, we would need transport later in the afternoon to take us to the EZEAirport. We are seniors, speak limited Spanish and not very phone savvy. What do you suggest
Hi Annmari, there will be probably taxis waiting at the Cruise Port. However, you need to be lucky that the taxi is big enough for all passengers and luggage. Or taking 2 taxis. Other option is booking a private cruise port transfer that I offer: https://secretsofbuenosaires.com/buenos-aires-airport-transfer/
do they take US dollars ? lets say we arived and in a hurry ? where is the best to exchange the money ? thanks!
Hi, they probably do but your spare change will be at an unknown rate. Which I don’t trust. In a hurry you cannot exchange money at a favorable rate. There is a national bank office at the airport.
Hi we are arrive into Eze late evening, where can we book a private transfer or prearrange a taxi?
Good morning Rhea, sure you can book a private airport transfer via this link: https://secretsofbuenosaires.com/tour/airport-transfer-buenos-aires/
Hi Glen Can u plz contact me on my email
Hi Rajeev, I just send you an email 🙂
Today our taxi driver tried to take 60.000 pesos instead of 2000 pesos from our Revolut Account. We embarked in la Boca and disembarked at the Library in Av. Santa Fee .. His name is Elio. He did not show us the amount on his machine. He just said the card does not work (because we did not have that much money on the account). He has an account with Mercado Pago.
Not a nice experience with a taxi in Buenos Aires, Louise. In every taxi there should be a QR or at least the name of the driver visible. You can file a complaint… but yeah… what does the government do later with the complaint. I hope you had a good stay in Buenos Aires and thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Glenn
I have a flight at AEP Airport at 5 AM. I just wonder it is easy to take a taxi to the airport at that time or i need to book in advance ?
Hi Truong, there will be taxis available in front of the airport. Only I don’t have good experiences with the kind of taxi drivers during night/early morning hours.
Sorry Glenn. i had a mistake. I have a flight at 5AM, departure from AEP, that means i have to take a taxi from the City around 3AM to get to the airport on time. Is it easy to take a taxi at around 3AM?
We’ve found Ubers are easy to use and tend to cost around 200-300 for a 30 min trip. Taxis are far more expensive.
Hi Joseph, thanks for the comment. I explained more when and where an Uber is cheaper and when a taxi. 🙂 Hope you had a nice stay in Buenos Aires.