People go to Mendoza for the wine, for the mountains or on their way to Chile, and nearly all of them fly. The city sits at the foot of the Andes in the Cuyo region, with the whole of the pampas between it and Buenos Aires. The night bus and the car are real alternatives, but each asks for a night or a full day on the road.
Flying
There are many daily flights to Mendoza airport, on the northern edge of the city. Most leave from Aeroparque and some from Ezeiza, so look at your ticket before you request a transfer. Flying is the obvious choice for a short break or a business trip. Around the grape harvest at the end of summer and during the winter holidays demand rises, and it pays to book early.
Night bus
Buses leave Retiro terminal in the evening and arrive the next morning. It is a long ride, but you sleep through most of it and save a hotel night. Compare seat classes, because the difference is noticeable. It works well for one or two travellers in no hurry.
The train
No passenger train offers a practical way to reach Mendoza city. If part of the journey by rail appeals to you, ask the state railway company which services towards Cuyo are currently operating.
On Ruta Nacional 7
There is one well-known road: Ruta Nacional 7, which crosses Buenos Aires province through Junín, continues across San Luis and enters Mendoza. It has tolls and mixes motorway sections with single-carriageway ones. It is also the lorry corridor to Chile, so overtaking calls for patience. Count on a full day at the wheel; with children or a single driver, split it in two. Driving makes sense if you plan to explore the wine areas or the high Andes afterwards in the same vehicle.
Where a private transfer fits
If you are one or two people who just need to arrive, the plane is faster and usually the better deal. A road trip with a driver is justified when a group wants to travel together, when there is bulky luggage or a pet, or when someone cannot fly. Stops are agreed beforehand and availability is confirmed when you book.
What people ask us for most often is both ends: the transfer to Aeroparque in Buenos Aires and a vehicle with a driver at the destination. The wineries are spread across Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and the Uco Valley, far from one another. How to visit them without driving is covered in Mendoza wine routes without your own car.