Like it says - I have to fly into Buenos Aires EZE (British airweays) and then on to Mendoza (Aerolineas Argentinas).
A lot of these internal flights go from the new AeroParc airport, and sure enough, while my outward flight departs from EZE, the return flight from Mendoza goes into AEP.
Anyone know how long it takes to clear AEP (internal flight so no customs or immigration) and travel to EZE?
LeTigre - 13/02/2012 12:05 GMT
Never been to Buenos Aires but here is a useful link:
http://www.ihatetaxis.com/airport/AEP-Aeroparque-Jorge-Newbery-Airport/shuttle
Looks like you only need 20 mins on the bus. But, I don't know about immigration, let's hope you're not English!
Brilliant, thanks, and yes, I am British. English, too.
LeTigre - 13/02/2012 12:18 GMT
Expect a beating and deportation!
TiredOLdHack: There are frequent shuttle bus linking the two airports but if you are more than one person then take the OFFICIAL taxi (purchase ticket from booth) for about 25 pounds. No tipping is required.
As a British passport holder, you will not need to pay a hefty reciprocal visa fee unlike the Australians/Canadians/US citizens.
Enjoy Argentina like I do!
Argentinians actually quite like the British!
Oh, I like Argentina, especially Mendoza! It's just that I've never had to shuttle (hah!) between the two airports before.
Another question - isn't there some restriction now on taking US dollars into the country??
Thanks for the help.
You will have to declare any amount in excess of US$10,000 but you can still be able to bring the currency into the country.
The airport Customs is very lax!!!!! They never took my Customs Declaration form every time I enter into the country.
Hm. Friends in Chile told me that all transactions in the country now have to be in pesos - that they are forbidden to charge in, or accept, dollars, which they gladly did last time I was there. I will check with some contacts in the country, I think.
Why are you carrying a lot of US dollar cash into Chile in order to pay for your expenses. One or two thousand US dollars should be enough for paying incidental where credit cards are not accepted.
I was in Santiago and Patagonia in late January and all my credit charges were in Peso.
No, I mean a friend in Chile told me that all transactions in Argentina hasd to be in pesos now. I go to Chile a lot - I was there in January - and it's rather different.
In Chile, the major hotels will invoice foreigners in US dollars, and the conversion rate will be shown on your bill. This is because foreigners are exempt from VAT (about 20%).
If you want to pay your hotel bill in cash, in pesos, you can, but you are charged VAT. I spent a week in the Crowne Plaza in Santiago with my wife and one of my daughters, and the saving, if you paid in US dollars, was considerable.
You are right in saying it makes sense in paying for your hotel bill in US dollars which I did.
But I was more thinkingmore of the general expenditure such as paying for drinks/restuarants and shopping.
RichHI1 - 13/02/2012 13:34 GMT
Argentina is great (food was not much good for me as non meat eater though - all meat or italian). Argentinians are very friendly unless you turn up in a uniform.
One word of caution, rush hour traffic can slow things down so allow extra time if in peak hours. (I always get a driver so don't know price.
Oh, right. Yeah, pesos are fine. Quite a strong currency right now, as well.
RichHI1 - 13/02/2012 14:15 GMT
I just use a dollar credit card in Chile. Loved the W Santiago, hated the Marriott. Liked CHile a lot. Had a day trip to Vinha del mar and Valparaiso. Intersting to see Fire Engines written in German.
What's the W Santiago? I like the Plaza San Francisco and the Crowne Plaza. Never stayed in the Marriott. Valpo is a marvellous place, especially all the antique lifts.
RichHI1 - 13/02/2012 14:19 GMT
Great Hotel In Santiago Chile. Great Restaurant, fabulous bar and great rooms with lanais.