Argentina has two traditional ways of riding in a car with a driver: the taxi and the remis. They look similar but are booked and priced differently.
What a remis is
A remis is a car with a driver ordered from an agency, called a remisería, by phone, by message or at a desk. You do not hail one in the street. The price is agreed before you leave, based on origin and destination, and does not depend on a meter.
What a taxi is
A taxi can be hailed in the street, taken at a rank or ordered through an app. It charges by the meter: a starting amount plus a rate that rises with distance and time. In the city of Buenos Aires taxis are black with a yellow roof.
Main differences
- How you get one. A taxi is hailed or ordered by app. A remis is booked through an agency.
- How it charges. A taxi runs on the meter. A remis has a price agreed in advance.
- Appearance. A taxi carries regulation colours and signs. A remis is usually an ordinary car with no special livery.
- In traffic. On a meter, a delay makes the ride cost more. With an agreed price, it does not.
And a private transfer
A private transfer follows the same logic as a remis: booked ahead, fixed price. It adds services aimed at travellers: flight tracking, a name-sign meeting, vehicles for groups and support in several languages.