Layover In Buenos Aires – The Ultimate Guide 2024

Buenos Aires is a city well worth exploring, and if you find yourself in the city on a layover, the temptation to see some of what it has to offer may prove irresistible. Rather than wasting time waiting for your connection in the airport, why not venture into the city and see some of the Argentinian capital?

Buenos Aires Airport, also known as Ezeiza, is more than 30 kilometers or 18 miles from the city it serves. Unfortunately, there is no rapid transit from the airport to the city. You’ll need to take a taxi, a car, or a bus. The drive from the airport can take anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic, while the public bus Line 8 takes an hour and a half to two hours, making it unsuitable for travelers on a short Buenos Aires layover. There are also shuttle buses, but either way, you need to allow yourself at least an hour to get from and to the airport. You can make things easier on yourself by dropping off your luggage with a Buenos Aires bag storage partner. Traveling light will give you one less thing to worry about while you explore.

6 hour layover in Buenos Aires

With only a short layover in Buenos Aires Airport, you’ll need to be quick. Once you’ve gotten through immigration, made the long journey to the city and drop off your bags, you may only have an hour or so to enjoy Buenos Aires. 

The Casa Rosada is the residence of the president of Argentina and one of the city’s most iconic buildings. It’s also right in the heart of town, making it easy to reach whether you take a taxi or bus from the airport. A tour of the presidential palace takes around an hour and will give you a crash course in Argentina’s history as well as allowing you to see one of its most beautiful buildings. Make sure to bring your passport with you, as you’ll need it to get inside.

• A tour of the presidential palace takes around one hour.
• Keep your passport with you as proof of identification.
• Make sure you leave yourself time to make the long journey back to the airport.

8 hour layover in Buenos Aires

With an eight hour long layover, you have a little more time to see more of the city. After dropping off your bags at a Buenos Aires luggage storage and visiting the presidential palace, you could spend some time in Plaza de Mayo. This 19th-century city square is right outside the palace and is in many ways the heart of Buenos Aires. Surrounded by restaurants and cafés, it’s a great place to take a break, enjoy a meal or a drink, and watch the world go by. It’s also home to the city’s cathedral, and the weekly market of Feria de San Telmo is only a block away if you’re in the mood to do some shopping. You could easily spend at least a couple of hours exploring this area, but make sure you keep an eye on the time so that you’re not late for your connecting flight.

• Explore Plaza de Mayo right outside the presidential palace.
• It’s a great place to get a meal or drink and take in the lively atmosphere.
• If you have a little extra time, you can visit the impressive cathedral or the nearby market.

10 hour layover in Buenos Aires

With a little longer to spend in the city, it’s you have time to visit some more quirky attractions. With its strong European influence combined with Latin flair, Buenos Aires is an architecture lover’s dream. A 20-minute walk or eight-minute subway ride will bring you to Palacio Barolo. This office building, built in 1923, was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. The building has a rooftop bar that offers impressive views of the city, making it a great place to spend a little time.

• Walk or take the subway to Palacio Barolo.
• Admire the unique architecture and enjoy a drink or snack in the rooftop bar.

12 hour layover in Buenos Aires

A couple more hours in Buenos Aires means you can expand your horizons. From Palacio Barolo, 12 minutes on bus 39 brings you to El Ateneo Grand Splendid. Located in a former theater, this massive bookshop is regularly recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world. It’s a great place to shop or simply admire the architecture and while away an hour or two browsing the shelves. It’s also close to one of Buenos Aires’ most famous attractions, the Recoleta Cemetery. The ornate tombs and well-manicured grounds have seen this resting place consistently voted one of the most beautiful in the world, and it’s a peaceful place to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

• Take a short bus ride to El Ateneo Grand Splendid, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores.
• Enjoy a stroll around the hauntingly beautiful Recoleta Cemetery.
• Both options give you the chance to enjoy some serenity in what can be a very busy city.

24 hour layover in Buenos Aires

If you find yourself with an overnight layover in Buenos Aires, you can afford a much more in-depth exploration of the city. Once you’ve found a hotel and a Buenos Aires luggage storage, you can take a visit to the Museo Nacional de Belles Artes. This stunning museum is the top art gallery in Argentina and one of the best in South America. It contains works by both Argentinian and world-renowned artists, and you could easily spend two to three hours wandering the galleries enjoying familiar masterpieces and encountering new favorites.

A 24-hour layover means you’ll also be able to sample some of the city’s nightlife. If possible, see if you can get tickets to a show at the Teatro Colon. This gorgeous opera house is both an architectural and an acoustic marvel, and is one of the world’s top performing arts venues.

You also have time to explore the Caminito neighborhood. This district of colorful buildings functions as an open-air museum, but is also one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Dance the tango on the street if you feel the urge; you won’t be the only one doing so.

• Explore stunning art at the Museo de Belles Artes.
• Catch a show at the Teatro Colon.
• Soak up the unique atmosphere of the Caminito district.