South America > 🇦🇷 Argentina
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Argentina can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Argentina; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Argentina?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Argentina?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Argentina
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | EZE | |
| Córdoba | COR | |
| Mendoza | MDZ | |
| Salta | SLA | |
| San Carlos de Bariloche | BRC | |
| Trelew | REL | |
| Ushuaia | USH |
Should You Rent a Car in Argentina? 🚗✨
Argentina is a land of extremes — from Buenos Aires’ tango-filled streets to Patagonia’s glaciers, wine country in Mendoza, and wild plains in the Pampas. It’s huge, beautiful, and diverse. But distances are long, and transport choices matter. So, should you rent a car in Argentina? Let’s find out.
🚆 When You Don’t Need a Car
If you’re traveling between major cities or sticking to classic tourist routes, Argentina’s buses, flights, and trains can take you everywhere.
✅ Best No-Car Destinations
| Destination | Why You Don’t Need a Car | Best Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | Perfect for walking | Subte (metro), taxis, Uber |
| Iguazú Falls | Tours include transfers | Shuttle & guided tours |
| Ushuaia | Small and easy on foot | Excursion buses |
| El Calafate | Tour-based sightseeing | Hotel pick-ups included |
| Mendoza (city-based) | Wine tours include transport | Organized tastings + transfers |
➡ In these locations, renting a car adds cost without adding value.
🚗 When a Car Changes Everything
Argentina stretches nearly 4,000 km from north to south. Many of its best landscapes lie far from public transport routes. A car gives you freedom to explore at your own pace.
✅ Best Regions for Renting a Car
| Region | Why Driving Is Amazing | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Patagonia (north & south) | Stunning highways, national parks | Route 40, Bariloche, El Chaltén |
| Mendoza Wine Region | Freedom to visit independent vineyards | Uco Valley, Andes foothills |
| Salta & Jujuy (Northwest Argentina) | Epic desert and mountain drives | Quebrada de Humahuaca, Salinas Grandes |
| Pampas & Estancias | Rural landscapes | Gaucho country, ranch stays |
➡ With a car, you can stop at viewpoints, visit remote towns, and take the scenic route instead of the main highway.
⚠️ Driving Reality in Argentina
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You drive on the right-hand side
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Route 40 is legendary: beautiful but remote
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Gas stations are sparse in Patagonia — plan ahead
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Speed limits are enforced in towns
-
In cities, traffic is intense, and streets can feel chaotic
🚕 Transport Without Driving Yourself
| Mode | Good For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-distance buses | Affordable & comfortable | Bed-style “cama” seats available |
| Domestic flights | Fast over long distances | Essential for Patagonia and Iguazú |
| Guided tours | National parks & glaciers | Include transfers |
| Private drivers | Wine regions & rural trips | Good alternative to self-driving |
🏁 Final Recommendation
| Traveller Style | Car Needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City & major tourist sites | ❌ No | Easy tours and flights |
| Patagonia explorer | ✅ Yes | Best done by road |
| Wine lover (beyond tours) | ✅ Yes | Flexibility between boutique vineyards |
| Adventure photographer | ✅ Yes | Scenic stops everywhere |
| Budget long-distance traveller | ❌ No | Overnight buses are excellent |
✨ Final Takeaway
So, should you rent a car in Argentina?
👉 If you’re exploring Patagonia, Mendoza’s countryside, or the mountainous northwest, renting a car gives you total control, unbeatable scenery, and access to places no tour bus reaches.
👉 But if you’re sticking to Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, and guided excursions, you can travel easily without renting a car.