Job Discussion Forums

sqwerl · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Buenos Aires

My flight will be in Buenos Aires Monday at 10 a.m. (supposedly).
I am going to be living in Belgrano.
What is the best way to get there?

Anything I need to know about going through customs or anything like that?I have a one-year student visa.
Do the customs officers speak English?
My Spanish is OK, but I am terrible at listening comprehension

This is getting to be kind of nervewracking haha.

guillebaires · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject:

I assume that you are arriving to the BA International Airport (aka Ezeiza)... if so, you have 2 main options: take the Manuel Tienda Leon shuttle service to downtown (�22 pesos) and then a cab to Belgrano (�15 pesos) OR take a "remise" or Taxi and go straight to Belgrano (� 50 pesos).
Good luck!

sqwerl · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Buenos Aires

yep going to eze.

Do they have the services available at the airport or must I call a remise or shuttle?
Thank you!

guillebaires · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:46 pm Post subject:

Once you leave Customs, you will see a Manuel Tienda Leon booth on your left... it's quite easy! Surprised

)
Check www.tiendaleon.com.ar

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

But manuel tienda leon are a rip off (prices are around 60 pesos for a remise now and 24 for a shuttle bus plus 1 for a transfer when you get to their terminal...) If you leave arrivals and go out to where everyone is waiting, right in front of you will be a booth in the middle of the floor with "Ezeiza Taxi' written in big blue writing on a white background. They're about 15pesos cheaper and just as good and efficient. There's also a firm that has a stand just outside the actual building which is around 8 pesos cheaper again. As you'll be arriving in the morning and it'll be light and you won't be going into a new city in the dark (which can be intimidating sometimes) i'd go for the cheapest option outside. Just make sure you order the remise/taxi from the person IN the booth and not someone hanging around the booth.

As for customs-just smile and you'll be fine. All bags go through x-ray on exiting the arrivals hall but you'll be pretty unlucky if they actually go through your stuff or question you about anything (unless you have a laptop, in which case they may question you- just say you're on holiday and thus not 'importing' the computer. Or better still, pretend you don't understand anything.).

snielz · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 165 Location: Buenos Aires

Sqwerl,
I booked the Manuel Tienda Leon service online ahead of time. You can just make a reservation with a credit card. It was really expensive (about $23 US) but I considered that worth it to have peace of mind. When I got there, I was helped at their desk and they took my bags to the car. It was a personal taxi, basically. No other passengers. I was arriving at 6 in the morning after a night of flying and really uncomfortable with the little spanish I did have so I considered it worthwhile to pay this much money. Sometimes, there are robberies or things of this nature because they know tourists are coming from Ezeiza with a lot of money. However, I wouldn�t do it again (pay that much, that is). Matttheboy gave you I good idea of what to do. It really is a painless process as long as you feel comfortable enough (which you may not if you, too, are flying all night). On second thought, do what Matt said and with the money you saved buy a round of drinks for myself and matt to celebrate...

sqwerl · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Buenos Aires

cool.
I will try to go outside and work with 'em.
$23 doesn't sound that bad... atleast after last week.
I paid $52 (plus $8 tip) when I went to Houston last week to get my visa. It was only a 30 minutes ride from the airport to my hotel ..so expensive!

Thanks for the advice.I will try to go that route, if I can find it.