How to Get from Buenos Aires to Mendoza: Flights, Bus & Tours

Most Mendoza wine trips start in Buenos Aires, and figuring out how to get from Buenos Aires to Mendoza is usually the first logistical question travelers ask. The good news is you have real options, from a quick flight to a surprisingly comfortable overnight bus. Here is how each one actually works, so you can pick the one that fits your trip.

Flying from Buenos Aires to Mendoza: The Quickest Way

For most travelers, flying is the easiest way to get from Buenos Aires to Mendoza. It is also how most wine tourists actually do it, since a flight turns what could be a full day of travel into a short hop over the pampas and the foothills of the Andes.

Several airlines operate the route multiple times a day, including Aerolíneas Argentinas, JetSMART, and Flybondi. Most flights depart from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), the smaller domestic airport close to downtown Buenos Aires, rather than the international Ezeiza (EZE) airport further out of town. If you are flying in internationally and connecting onward to Mendoza the same day, build in extra time for the transfer between airports and for check-in on a separate domestic ticket.

Flight time is typically around two hours, landing at Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (MDZ), about 20 minutes from central Mendoza. Fares vary quite a bit by season and how far ahead you book, so it is worth comparing a few dates if your schedule is flexible, especially around the March to May harvest season and the busy summer months. For help lining up the rest of your dates, our guide to the best time to visit Mendoza breaks down what each season actually looks like.

If you are flying in internationally and landing at Ezeiza (EZE), note that AEP and EZE are on opposite sides of the city, roughly 40 minutes apart by taxi or shuttle depending on traffic. Travelers connecting the same day usually build in at least three to four hours between landing at EZE and the domestic departure from AEP, since you will need to clear immigration, collect luggage, transfer airports, and check in again. If that feels tight after a long international flight, an overnight stop in Buenos Aires before continuing to Mendoza is a common and sensible choice. Budget carriers like JetSMART and Flybondi typically charge separately for checked baggage and seat selection, so it is worth checking the fare rules when you book rather than assuming everything is included.

Taking the Overnight Bus from Buenos Aires to Mendoza

If you would rather save on flights or simply enjoy long-distance travel, the bus is a classic way to make the trip. Several well-established companies, including Andesmar, Chevallier, and CATA, run daily overnight services between the Retiro bus terminal in Buenos Aires and Mendoza’s downtown terminal.

So how far is Mendoza from Buenos Aires by road? The journey covers roughly 1,050 kilometers (about 650 miles) and typically takes somewhere between 13 and 15 hours, depending on the route and stops along the way. Most travelers book an overnight departure, so you sleep through a good part of the trip and arrive in Mendoza in the morning, ready for your first winery visit.

Cama vs. Semi-Cama: Which Class to Book

Argentine long-distance buses are known for comfort levels that go well beyond a typical coach seat. Semi-cama (semi-bed) seats recline substantially and usually come with a snack or light meal included. Cama and cama ejecutivo seats recline much further, some nearly flat, with wider aisles, more personal space, and fuller meal service. For a trip this long, most people find cama or cama ejecutivo worth the extra cost for a better night’s sleep before a day on your feet tasting wine.

A daytime departure exists on most routes too, and it has its own appeal: you get to watch the pampas roll by and see the landscape change gradually as the Andes come into view, which the overnight service obviously skips. It makes for a longer, slower day, so it suits travelers who see the bus itself as part of the trip rather than just a way to cover distance. Either way, book a few days ahead during busy periods, since popular overnight departures can sell out around long weekends and the harvest season.

Driving Yourself Between Buenos Aires and Mendoza

Renting a car and driving is the slowest option, but it appeals to travelers who want a proper road trip through the Argentine interior. The route runs mostly along Ruta Nacional 7, crossing the pampas before the landscape shifts to the dry, mountainous scenery around Mendoza. Expect around 12 hours or more of driving time, not counting stops, so this is realistically a two-day trip for most people rather than one long day behind the wheel.

One-way rentals are possible with the major agencies but typically carry a drop-off fee, so check that cost carefully before booking. This option makes the most sense if you are already planning a broader road trip through central Argentina rather than heading straight into wine country.

Along the way, the towns of Villa Mercedes and San Luis make reasonable stopping points to break up the drive, refuel, and grab a meal before continuing west. The road is well maintained for most of the route, but it is still a long haul through open, mostly flat terrain, so plan for an early start and factor in time for stops rather than trying to push through in one go.

Guided Tours and Private Transfers from Buenos Aires

For travelers who would rather not sort out tickets and timetables themselves, a number of operators run guided multi-day trips and private transfers that pair Buenos Aires wine tours with time in Mendoza as part of a single itinerary. These typically bundle a flight or private transfer with pre-arranged winery visits, so a local handles the logistics while you focus on the wine. This route works well if you are short on time, traveling with a group, or simply prefer having everything organized before you land.

Some packages combine a few days of sightseeing in Buenos Aires, such as a city tour or tango evening, with a short flight onward to Mendoza and a set wine-tasting itinerary once you arrive. These are worth considering if this is a once-in-a-while trip and you would rather hand off the planning than piece together flights, hotels, and winery reservations yourself. Ask any operator exactly what is included, especially whether winery transportation around Mendoza is part of the package or arranged separately once you land.

Which Option Is Right for Your Mendoza Trip

The right choice usually comes down to time, budget, and how you like to travel.

• Flying is the best fit if your trip is short and you would rather spend your limited days at wineries than in transit.
• The overnight bus is a solid option if you are comfortable with a longer travel day and want to save on the cost of a flight.
• Driving suits travelers who are building a longer road trip through Argentina rather than making a single there-and-back visit.
• A guided tour or private transfer takes the planning off your plate entirely, which is worth the convenience on a short trip.

Whichever way you arrive, it is worth deciding this early, since it shapes how many days you will realistically have for wine tasting once you land. If you have not mapped out the rest of the trip yet, our guide to choosing a Mendoza wine tour is a good next stop.

However you make the trip from Buenos Aires, the moment you land in Mendoza is really where the planning begins: choosing where to stay, which wineries to visit, and how to structure your days. Our guide on how to plan the perfect Mendoza wine trip walks through all of it, and our guide to where to stay in Mendoza can help you pick a base for your visit. You can also browse more guides like this one on our blog, or head back to our homepage for more Mendoza trip inspiration.