Getting Around
Five major Argentine airlines attempt
to make this big country appear smaller: privatized Aerolíneas
Argentinas handles domestic as well as international routes, while Austral
covers domestic routes only. Línea Aéreas Privadas Argentinas
(LAPA) competes with Austral and Aerolíneas on many domestic routes.
Líneas Aéreas del Estado (LADE), the air force's passenger
service, serves mostly Patagonian destinations. Dinar serves smaller domestic
destinations. Discount deals and passes are advisable as fares are expensive.
In some cases, however, flying can be cheaper than covering the same distance
by bus. Domestic flights carry a departure tax of around US$6 (including
21% IVA).
Long-distance buses are fast and
comfortable; some even provide on-board meal services. However, fares
are expensive and fluctuate wildly. Private operators have assumed control
of the formerly state-owned railways, but have shown little interest in
providing passenger service except on commuter lines in and around Buenos
Aires. The provinces of Río Negro, Chubut, Tucumán and La
Pampa continue to provide much-reduced passenger service.
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