Buenos Aires is a seasonal cruise port. Ships call during the southern summer, on routes to Brazil and Uruguay, round Cape Horn to Chile, and south towards Patagonia and Antarctica. For many passengers the city is where the voyage starts or ends, which makes the port transfer part of the trip.
The terminal in season
Cruise ships use the Quinquela Martín terminal, inside the port and close to the Retiro area. This is a working cargo port. Passengers do not walk along the quay. Port vehicles carry them between the ship and the terminal building, and any onward transport meets them at the building.
On some days several ships are in at once. Those mornings are slower: more people leaving together, longer taxi queues and busy access roads.
Starting or ending your cruise here
- Embarking. This season check-in and luggage drop are at Costa Salguero, and the cruise line’s buses take passengers from there to the ship, so that is where your transfer drops you. The cruise line gives you a check-in window and a time by which you must be on board. Plan the transfer around that, not around the sailing time, and confirm the check-in point with the line, as it has changed between seasons.
- Disembarking. It happens in the morning, group by group. When you actually walk out depends on your group and on luggage collection.
- Flying the same day. Aeroparque is close to the port. Ezeiza, the main international airport, is outside the city, and the drive depends on traffic. Choose a flight with a wide margin.
Arriving a day before you embark is the cautious choice. A ship does not wait for a delayed flight.
A one-day call
You can take the ship’s excursion, go out by taxi, or book a car with a driver by the hour and set your own route. With a driver by the hour the vehicle stays with you and returns to the terminal by the time the ship requires.
Leaving the terminal
- Taxi. Available at the terminal. With several ships in, expect a wait.
- Ride apps. Check on the day where they may collect passengers.
- Cruise line transfers. Usually to the airports or selected hotels only.
- Private transfer. Your driver waits at the terminal with a name sign, in a vehicle chosen for your luggage. See transfers for cruise passengers.
The building and the meeting point are described in our cruise port arrival guide.