Are you ready to explore Buenos Aires like a local? Navigating the city’s extensive bus network can be your gateway to discovering its vibrant streets and colorful neighborhoods.
In our comprehensive guide, “Everything You Need to Know About the Buenos Aires Buses,” we’ll equip you with all the necessary information to travel efficiently and confidently throughout the city.
From understanding bus routes to mastering fare systems, ExpatPathways is here to ensure your bus journeys in Buenos Aires are as smooth as possible.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, a traveler, or an expat, join us as we dive into the dynamics of Buenos Aires’ primary mode of transportation.
Everything You Need to Know About the Buenos Aires Buses
Importance of the buses for transportation in Buenos Aires
- In Buenos Aires, the term ‘colectivo’ (from ‘transporte colectivo’) refers to an intricate network of around 400 bus lines that traverse the metropolitan area.
- The motor transport service in the City and the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires consists of 91 companies operating 136 bus lines.
- Buenos Aires buses transport approximately 11 million passengers per day.
- The bus fleet was estimated to reach 18,400 units in 2019.
- The public bus system in Buenos Aires originated in the 1920s.
Advantages of traveling by bus in Buenos Aires
Different Routes
The Buenos Aires bus system is characterized by its vast and intricate network of lines covering the City of Buenos Aires and the entire Metropolitan Area.
In truth, there are very few streets that do not have at least one bus route, offering a significant advantage over the subway or railways since there will always be a bus line that includes your destination in its route.
Economical Fare
Like the public transport system as a whole, traveling by bus is very economical. This is especially true for foreigners, for whom the cost of bus fares in dollars will seem incredibly cheap.
The affordability of bus travel allows many people not only to commute to their places of work, study, or home but also to use this means of transport to go wherever they want, whenever they want.
24-Hour Service
One of the major advantages of Buenos Aires buses over trains and the subway is that the majority of the lines operate 24 hours a day. Naturally, the frequency of buses will not be the same on weekdays compared to weekends, as well as in morning and nighttime hours.
However, the fact that you can catch a bus at any time of the day is a benefit not to be underestimated, especially when you need to return from a nightclub or bar late at night and taxi services or car services like Uber or Cabify have excessively high rates.
The Importance of the Metrobus
In the City of Buenos Aires, there is the so-called metrobus. This is a significant lane on various avenues reserved exclusively for public system buses.
The metrobus was inaugurated about a decade ago and has allowed buses to travel faster on those avenues where traffic is often congested.
Thanks to the development of this transport infrastructure, you can travel long distances on public system buses without needing to use the subway or deal with traffic jams. Additionally, the metrobus has its own platforms and stops where you can wait for your bus in complete comfort.
Easy Identification
Bus lines in Buenos Aires are easily identified by the colors of their chassis and the number is also easily to be seen. This color-coding system not only eliminates confusion but also helps to distinguish the units from a distance.
Moreover, most buses have LED or illuminated signs above their windshields so that passengers can identify them from afar in low sunlight hours.
Combinations
While walking a few blocks to or from a bus station does not require much physical effort, you should know that the design of the Buenos Aires bus network allows different lines to coincide on some routes and even share the same stations.
This means that you can perfectly combine several bus lines whenever you find it convenient. Additionally, buses are fully compatible with train and subway stations, to the extent that many bus lines have their stations near the entrances to railways or the subway.
Useful tips for traveling by bus in Buenos Aires
Signaling to Stop the Bus
If you’re waiting at a bus stop and want to board an approaching bus, you must raise your right hand and arm at a 90-degree angle to your body.
Buses in Buenos Aires do not automatically stop at each station; they only stop for passenger boarding or disembarking, and signaling is necessary.
To signal that you wish to get off, position yourself at the middle or rear door and press the bell once. This lets the driver know to stop at the next station.
Do Not Obstruct the Doors Inside the Bus
It’s crucial not to block the bus doors. In Buenos Aires buses, it’s common for passengers to inadvertently block the exit doors, especially during peak hours or in densely populated areas.
To ensure a smooth ride for everyone, avoid leaning on or standing too close to the exit doors unless you are getting off soon. This courtesy helps maintain order and prevents delays during disembarking.
Use Headphones
A universal rule in public transportation: avoid playing music through speakers. The annoyance it causes other passengers can disrupt the peaceful coexistence necessary in shared spaces.
Always use headphones if you’re listening to music or watching videos on your mobile device, maintaining a considerate volume level.
Guard Your Belongings
While not rampant, theft on buses, such as the snatching of mobile phones, does occur. Thieves may pose as passengers and commit thefts swiftly when exiting the bus or through open windows.
To minimize risk, keep windows closed, stay alert, and use your mobile phone discretely. Keep bags securely fastened and be particularly vigilant when doors open at each stop, especially at night.
Respect the “Cycle” of the Bus
When boarding a bus in Buenos Aires, always enter through the front door where you’ll tap your SUBE card on the reader. Then, proceed towards the middle or back of the bus. The “cycle” of the bus means entering at the front and exiting through the back or middle doors.
This flow helps ensure all passengers can board efficiently and utilize available space. Even in crowded conditions, drivers will often remind passengers to move further back to allow new passengers to board.
How to pay the bus ticket in Buenos Aires
The SUBE card is an essential tool for navigating public transportation in Buenos Aires, including the subway.
To obtain a SUBE card, locate an authorized sales point, available at subway stations, kiosks, and train stations throughout the city.
After acquiring your card, you must register it online through the SUBE website or the SUBE Mobile app. This registration allows for balance checks and credit top-ups.
Ways to recharge your SUBE card include:
- Authorized sales points where you can top up with cash.
- Online through the SUBE Mobile app or the SUBE website.
- ATMs in the Banelco network or Pago Fácil terminals.
Benefits of using a SUBE card:
- Access to exclusive discounts and promotions, including benefits for students and seniors.
- Faster transaction times at turnstiles, avoiding the need to purchase separate tickets.
- The card is rechargeable, accommodating as much credit as you need.
- Free transfers between different lines of the subway, trains, and buses within a set time limit, without exiting the station.
- Compatibility with all public transportation in Buenos Aires that accepts the SUBE card.
Bus Lines in Buenos Aires
In Buenos Aires, the bus, or “colectivo,” is the most widely used form of public transportation. Depending on the line, buses operate all day and can be found on most city streets, as their routes create a comprehensive network covering extensive areas.
Bus stops are marked with signs indicating the line number and a summary of the main points along its route. Each line has a designated number, and buses within the same line are identified by one or up to three colors.
Boarding is done through the front door, and exiting through the back or middle doors. To signal to the driver that you want to get off, you must press a bell near the exit door before reaching your stop.
The interior of a typical bus from line 71, bus number 35, is adorned fittingly. The fare system depends on the distance traveled, the passenger’s origin and destination, and the method of payment.
Urban travel fares are paid on the bus, which used to accept coins or a prepaid magnetic card called “SUBE” that is also used for trains and the subway. Since December 10, 2015, the SUBE card has been the exclusive payment method for buses in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires.
Buses run 24 hours a day. Although after 10 PM the frequency of buses may decrease based on the discretion of each line’s provider, companies are obliged to offer a service at most every 30 minutes.
National Metropolitan Jurisdiction Lines (1 to 199)
Lines numbered between 1 and 199 fall under the jurisdiction of the National Secretary of Transportation. Some of these lines operate solely within the City of Buenos Aires, while others connect the City with various municipalities in Greater Buenos Aires within the Province of Buenos Aires.
Numbers between 1 and 195 have been assigned to different lines, many of which have since been discontinued or have disappeared for various reasons, explaining why some numbers are missing from the list.
Provincial Jurisdiction of Buenos Aires Lines (200 to 499)
Lines numbered between 200 and 499 are governed by the Province of Buenos Aires. These lines connect municipalities within the suburban area of Buenos Aires or link different districts with the suburban area, but they do not operate within the City of Buenos Aires.
Municipal jurisdiction lines (500 to 799)
Lines numbered from 500 onwards are directly managed by municipalities in the Province of Buenos Aires. These lines connect localities and neighborhoods within the same municipality.
The Metrobus in Buenos Aires
The Metrobus system in Buenos Aires, launched on May 31, 2011, features exclusive lanes dedicated to buses, known locally as ‘colectivos.’
Initially met with skepticism regarding its effectiveness, the Metrobus has proven to significantly reduce travel times for the lines it serves. This system not only speeds up bus services but also enhances reliability, comfort, and environmental quality by reducing congestion.
Metrobus del Bajo 2
The Metrobus del Bajo 2 extends 2 kilometers and is the ninth corridor in Buenos Aires. It connects Metrobus del Bajo 1, starting from Av. Paseo Colón and Independencia, to the southern edge of the city at Av. Almirante Brown and Wenceslao Villafañe.
This route is the first major passenger transport corridor to reach the La Boca neighborhood, benefiting over 130,000 daily passengers and improving infrastructure in the area. It features 16 well-lit, accessible, and secure stops, enhancing the public transport experience significantly.
Metrobus del Bajo
The Metrobus del Bajo, the eighth corridor in the city, stretches along Avenues Leandro N. Alem and Paseo Colón. It is part of the city’s Metrobus network which aims to transform Buenos Aires’ mobility matrix, fostering connections between various modes of transport.
This corridor revitalizes the neighborhoods of Retiro, Puerto Madero, and San Telmo, facilitating a North-South connection across the city and contributing to the pedestrian transformation of the Microcentro area.
Metrobus San Martín
Connecting the northwest boundary with the city’s heart, the Metrobus San Martín facilitates connections between bus travels on Avenida San Martín and those from Avenida Juan B. Justo, as well as with the Urquiza Railway.
This corridor revalues the six neighborhoods it traverses — Villa Crespo, Villa General Mitre, Paternal, Villa del Parque, Agronomía, and Villa Devoto — linking key points like Avenida General Paz and the Urquiza train line.
Metrobus Norte
The Metrobus Norte corridor serves over 200,000 daily passengers traveling along Avenues Cabildo and Maipú. This new corridor improves connectivity between the Vicente López area and Buenos Aires City, facilitating a quicker link along one of the most populous vehicular axes.
The project enhances the environment around the Congreso de Tucumán station of Subway Line D and Puente Saavedra, revitalizing the center of Aristóbulo del Valle.
Metrobus Norte 2
The Metrobus Norte 2, an extension of the Metrobus Norte, optimizes the quality of life for 250,000 people who now travel faster and more comfortably, saving up to 35% in travel time each day.
Stretching 2.8 km, it revitalizes the neighborhoods of Belgrano, Colegiales, and Palermo and serves as a crucial link between Metrobus Juan B. Justo and Avenida General Paz.
Metrobus AU 25 de Mayo
This corridor is the first reversible Metrobus in the country and operates along a highway, serving 120,000 people and reducing their travel time by 50%.
Designed to operate on previously unused spaces on the highway, it does not reduce general traffic space and provides an isolated, faster, and safer route for public transport, including long-distance buses and shuttles.
Metrobus Sur
Extending 23 km with two exclusive corridors, the Metrobus Sur benefits 250,000 people daily. It connects the southern end of the city with the Constitución Transport Interchange, improving infrastructure, lighting, and safety in eight neighborhoods.
Metrobus 9 de Julio
Spanning 3 km, the Metrobus 9 de Julio saves users up to 50% in travel time. It has positively impacted the urban environment, enhancing mobility in the central area of the city.
The shift of buses from Esmeralda and Maipú to the avenue has resulted in cleaner air, reduced noise, and improved road safety for pedestrians in the Microcentro area, making it healthier and more pleasant.
Metrobus Juan B. Justo
Meet the first Metrobus in the city, stretching 12 kilometers and benefiting 150,000 passengers by reducing travel times by 40%. The Metrobus Juan B. Justo has revolutionized the traditional bus system, which accommodates 70% of the city’s commuters, by offering prioritized traffic flow, faster transit, increased safety, and greater comfort, all while reducing pollution.
The dedicated lanes ensure buses move swiftly without needing to overtake other vehicles, significantly cutting down travel times. Moreover, the stations are covered and well-lit, providing a comfortable and accessible refuge for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, the elderly, and pregnant women, enhancing the overall travel experience.
Metrobus Alberdi-Directorio
The 10th corridor benefits 65,000 people and improves the quality of service for eight bus lines. The Metrobus Alberdi-Directorio extends along Avenues Alberdi, Bruix, and Directorio, connecting the neighborhoods of Flores, Floresta, Parque Avellaneda, Vélez Sársfield, and Villa Luro.
With a length of 5.8 kilometers, it serves as a key connectivity axis in the southwestern area of the City, a region that had previously not received significant infrastructure development. The corridor features well-lit, accessible, and secure stops designed to enhance the travel experience and facilitate more comfortable and efficient mobility.
Last Considerations
Mastering the Buenos Aires bus system is an essential skill for any traveler, expat, or digital nomad living in or visiting the city. To ensure a seamless travel experience, always plan your trips on the Buenos Aires buses in advance.
Familiarize yourself with the bus routes and use maps or GPS to guide your journeys. Being well-prepared means you’ll never miss your stop and will always disembark at the right time.
Also, remember to practice common courtesies like offering your seat to the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women. If you’d rather avoid these situations, opt to stand or stay towards the back of the bus.
Let ExpatPathways guide you through the bustling bus network of Buenos Aires, making every journey easier and more enjoyable.
(Featured Image Source: Nico Kaiser/flickr.com)
