Crossing the Andes to go from Argentina to Chile, from Buenos Aires to Santiago or vice versa, crossing the continent from east to west by bus may not sound very good, so in this article we will tell you How to choose a bus travel in Argentina and Chile.
The first thing we recommend you do when you arrive in Buenos Aires is to go to the Retiro station to buy bus tickets from Buenos Aires to Santiago de Chile. And how many hours separate the capital of Argentina from the capital of Chile? Well, about 20 hours.
Spending 20 hours on a bus can seem like hell, but making a good choice in which bus you take can greatly improve your experience.
In most companies you can choose between at least two types of seats and they are usually semi-bed or bed-executive, and in some cases royal suite.
All tickets include service on board, hot and cold dinner, breakfast and televisions. The specific characteristics of each type of ticket are.
How to choose a bus travels in Argentina and Chile
These are the amenities that most transport companies offer. Taking this i
nto account you can make your choice.
1. Semi-bed
- 145º reclining chair with footrest
2. Bed-executive
- 160º reclining leather chair.
- Blankets and pillows.
- Wifi.
3. Royal-suite
- Fully reclining 180º leather chair.
- Individual curtains..
- Individual screen to choose movie.
- Blankets and pillows.
- Folding tables
- Wifi.
The characteristics of each class may vary between companies, destinations or bus, so we recommend that you check them before purchasing the ticket.
Paso de los Libertadores
The Paso de los Libertadores is the main route between the cities near the Andes in Chile and the city of Mendoza in Argentina. It is located in the heart of the Andes and that is why it is sometimes closed due to snow.
The slopes on the Chilean side are dizzying and the landscape, you can imagine.
When you arrive at the border between Argentina and Chile, you have to get off the bus and go through immigration and customs. Keep in mind that being here the authorities may check your luggage, which could be strange for you.
Reasons to travel by bus from Buenos Aires to Santiago
If you have time to make this trip, because 20 hours is not a few hours, you should consider the option of traveling by bus between these capitals. Plus, you’ll be able to save some money if you go on a tight budget.
Crossing the Andes, enjoying the landscapes offered by the mountain range, enjoying the landscapes offered by the interior of Argentina, crossing the land border of the Paso de los Libertadores… the trip itself is an unforgettable experience.
Remote places usually have that face of desolation, of hidden solitude, which in a romantic way makes us fall in love. Places where wild nature is shown in all its splendor and as a human being we can only feel tiny and know that we are at the mercy of the elements, that there, we do not have absolute control of things. Patagonia, divided between Argentina and Chile is one of those places. The extreme south of the South American continent, a hostile area for so many centuries for sailors and walkers. There, living up to its fame, are some of the most impressive natural monuments in our world, so pack your backpack, don’t forget your camera, and enjoy the adventure.