Being travel savvy in Buenos Aires doesn’t just mean knowing your Guía T inside-out or know the best way to hail a cab in the rain — the cream of the crop know how to get to and from Ezeiza Airport without breaking a sweat.

When the city airport closed a couple of months ago for work on the runway, thousands more travellers were heading out to Ezeiza on a daily basis, with many of them left with little choice to forking out a whopping $130 or higher for a taxi. But whilst there is no public shuttle service, there are alternatives to taking a cab, as Rosalind Walters discovers.

1. HI Travel Shuttle Service

HI Travel provides a service to and from the Ezeiza Airport five times daily. The shuttle service costs US$11 and can take you from Ezeiza to one of the many drop-off points throughout Buenos Aires.

Shuttles leaving Ezeiza to Buenos Aires begin at 8am and the last one leaves for the city at 6.30pm, whereas shuttles from Buenos Aires to Ezeiza depart starting at 7am with the last shuttle of the day leaving for the airport at 5pm. Their pick-up/drop-off points can be found at the HI affiliated hostels and a clearly marked area at the Ezeiza airport. Arrival and departure times vary on traffic, though most trips will take between 1h15 and 1h30 travel time.

Guests and those looking to reserve a shuttle space are at the liberty to book online, over the phone, through email, or at one of the many hostels with which they work between two hours to 48 hours in advance. Booking can also be made directly at their office on Florida 835.

For the full list of shuttle times, hostel lists and how to book your shuttle pick-up, visit www.hostelshuttle.com.ar

2. Silver Star Car

Not a fan of crowded public transportation or stumbling through Spanish with bus terminals or taxi drivers? Private car company, Silver Star Car, is a more personal alternative to airport transportation. Founded in 2009 by husband and wife couple, Fred Badagnani and Karina Zurita, this personal car service is not only provided in English and recommended by Lonely Planet, but also gives your arrival or departure into Buenos Aires a celebrity feel.

Being a private service, Silver Star Car can have arrangements or bookings made on their website or by phone as to the time, date and location of your pick-up and drop off. You can ride in style to the airport for US$92 and picked up from Ezeiza for US$132. Their prices for pickups, drop offs, tours and more include parking and tolls.

The luxury service has three cars insured and certified for your airport arrival, the Citroen C6 Sedan, a Lincoln Town Car and a Citroen C4. Their website provides photos, details, testimonials and prices to the service of their Silver Star Cars.

If you ever decide to make that grand entrance or exit from Buenos Aires, Silver Star Car sets apart from the average public bus, van or taxi.

For more information regarding their other tour services, cars and standard prices, visit www.silverstarcar.com. All prices are correct as of December 2010.

3. Mini Bus S.R.I.

The Mini Bus S.R.I service provides a small shuttle serving 4-19 passengers depending on the vehicle and operates right outside of Paseo Colón Avenue in Monserrat. For $21 you can travel with Mini Bus to Ezeiza.

Shuttles run between Buenos Aires and Ezeiza Monday to Friday beginning at 8.30am until 6.30pm, every 15 minutes. Packages of prepaid tickets can be purchased at a discount, depending on the number of tickets purchased, however there is no need to make a reservation for a standard ticket – all you have to do is show up to the pick-up point and pay the chauffer with cash.

The Mini Bus picks up passengers heading to the airport at Av. Paseo Colón and Av. Belgrano. The website also offers assistance and information in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Monday-Friday, for package prices, postal and other information check out www.minibusezeiza.com.ar. Prices increase with luggage.

4. Number 8 Bus

Number 8 bus (Photo: Beatrice Murch)

Public transport afficionados – and those with more time than money – will be happy to know that there is a public bus that heads to the airport.

For only $2 (with a SUBE, $4 without) you can have a frills-free ride to the airport on the most basic and unexpected forms of public transportation. While all of the #8’s have airport written on the top, if you are headed to the airport, make sure that it’s written on the bottom half of the sign as well.

The route and stops of the bus heading to and from the Ezeiza International Airport to Hospital Argerich is more fine-tuned in the Guía T, the guidebook to Buenos Aires public transportation. Sure places to catch the #8 are as it travels up Av. Independencia, Perú and Av. Belgrano before hitting Av. De Mayo and Av. Rivadavia and on to the highway.

However, as true with all public buses in Argentina, the sooner you catch it, the easier it is to find a seat and relax, and be sure to give yourself a good couple of hours to get there.

For those who are not familiar with the Guía T guidebook to public transportation, Como Viajo is a good place to find your way around Buenos Aires from the comfort of your chair. For more information in the #8 bus, make sure to check www.comoviajo.com

5. Manuel Tienda León

Manuel Tienda León prides themselves in the security of their ride to and from Ezeiza airport to their station, Terminal Madero. With a bus running at least every hour, coming and going from the airport has never been so easy.

For $70 Manuel will take you to the airport in their air-conditioned buses with a secure luggage area and large reclining seats for the ride in. All pick-ups and drop-offs to and from Ezeiza are stationed at the Terminal Madero at Av. Madero and San Martín. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time as well as at their counter at the Ezeiza terminal, online and the Terminal Madero station.

Prices vary depending on the type of vehicle you choose from Manuel, whether it is the bus or the Remis, four-seater vehicle. Still, this very straightforward method of airport transit is staple for both Argentines and travelers alike.

Prices, locations and hours of transit are available at Manuel Tienda León’s website www.tiendaleon.com.ar

Flights face disruptions today due to strikes at Ezeiza and “Jorge Newbery” airports. Air traffic control operators are protesting against working conditions and a series of layoffs. The strike has resulted in mass diversions, cancellations and delays, leaving 200 people stranded at Rosario airport.

Flights at both airports were facing severe delays and cancellations today, prompting the diversion of many planes to Cordoba, Rosario and Mar del Plata.

The strike has been organised by the union of air traffic controllers (ANACTA) who claim they are suffering “appalling working conditions” which are threatening the safety of the service

The union is angry at cuts to staff and said on Tuesday “in the airport there needs to be 60 controllers, but there are barely 30 due to the lack of staff and the number who have been moved.”

Commercial aviation industry sources in at airports said this morning that all services were at a standstill. However other spokesmen claimed that flights had resumed by midday, though with severe delays and cancellations.

The union initiated actions several weeks ago, changing the times of their working schedules and causing changes to planned flights.

Commercial industry aviation sources claim the current strike occurred after a meeting between authorities of the National Administration of Civil Aviation (ANAC) and the Air Force with directors of private airlines about the conflict with the air traffic controllers. The meeting failed to provide an agreement.

A source from the Argentine and Austral airlines said “although there are delays in departures and arrivals due to the strike actions, operations are being carried out in accordance with the planned operating procedures.”

It’s Friday, people!

And I have great news: I’m still here!

I know that last week I may have suggested that the local Government was en route to arrest me for considering me an enemy of the state due to my treacherous citizenship and was planning to ship me off to the Argentine Guantanamo, but it turns out it was all a huge misunderstanding! (Basically, I made it all up.)

So, what else is new? Oh, right. The Fall is basically extinct, and in further evidence that Argentina is approaching a “tropical country” status largely due to climate change, last week we went to bed while enjoying a warm, summer night and woke up the next morning freezing to death. I’m not kidding, this week it was actually colder in some areas of Argentina than in Antarctica.

So hurry up, my fellow hibernation enthusiasts, and learn the facts before we’re all encased in ice for the rest of eternity under half a kilometer of snow.

This is what you need to know:

• 

  In a distant past (2010) people would stride great lengths and travel en masse to the International Book Fair just to catch a glimpse of the so-called "books." Now everyone’s hooked on e-books, so no one gives a shit. (Photo/Wikipedia)

  The Argentine Senate has preliminary approved the YPF expropriation bill, which is now headed to the Lower House floor. Lawmakers believe the bill could be finally passed next Wednesday, unless NATO bombs us first.

• Still, it seems my country (Spain) will have to swallow its words and find a different approach to the whole YPF controversy. After what started as a grim warning of how terrible Argentina’s decision to expropriate the oil company was, the outrage seemed to fade out as the week progressed and the Spanish government found that pretty much no one was willing to join the administration’s plans to bomb Buenos Aires. International organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank, as well as the European Union and the US feigned disappointment and indignation for a couple of minutes, but then swiftly washed their hands from the whole thing by calling it a “bilateral issue.” Sure, the European Commission has warned that Argentina’s decision will have “dire consequences” for the population’s future, but there’s not much more they can do. Except bomb us.

• I’m done with this YPF thing for today, I promise. Although don’t get too excited. Malvinas is coming up next.

• The brand new Argentine ambassador in London, Alicia Castro, first published an interesting op-ed on Malvinas (See? I told you) in the conservative British newspaper The Telegraph, which caused the faces of all its readers to melt, Indiana Jones-style. She then formally presented the UK government with a proposal to restore commercial flights between the Malvinas Islands and Buenos Aires, as a friendly gesture. Then the islanders said no, which sucks because I was really hoping to score me some low-cost tickets for one of these long weekends. Think about it, the Malvinas could be a great place to celebrate Spring Break. British pubs, the sea and lots and lots of penguins. It doesn’t get any better than that. Come on, islanders!

• If you are a passionate follower of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, chances are: a) You hate me for being “anti-Kirchnerite” (even though I’m not), and b) You’re not reading this before you’re heading over to the Vélez stadium in Liniers to attend the Cristina-palooza that is taking place today at 6 pm! (You’ve probably seen the posters while walking down the street, summoning everyone to go show their support for the President). And if you’re wondering what the hoopla is all about, what big announcement she’s going to make, this is the best part: it’s about nothing. You know, like Seinfeld. No, seriously. The whole point of the rally is to have a stadium full of people calling her name, while she gives an impassioned speech showing how strong she is. That way she can persuade NATO from bombing us all next Wednesday.

• If you’re wondering why the Subte has been going on strike almost everyday lately, here is why (not that you care). Long story short, since the whole subway system is a ticking time bomb on the verge of collapse and neither the National nor the City governments want to take care of it, the Subte employees are selflessly trying to raise awareness about how unprotected us passengers are, while putting their entire careers at risk over charges of insubordination. Also, they want more money.

• Great news everyone! You know when you’re standing in the immigration line to enter/leave Argentina at the Ezeiza airport and you realize you didn’t bring a pen with you so you can’t fill out those pesky immigration forms? Well, not to worry because as of now the Government has finally implemented the new digital terminals with a biometric system. How exotic and 21st century of yours, Argentina! It’s almost like in the US! (Without the paranoia).

• Terrible news everyone! You know when you’re standing in the luggage belt after landing at the Ezeiza airport (don’t make me link to Wikipedia again) and you realize your suitcases have been ripped open and someone has stolen your Toblerones, your iPod, your iPad, your iLaptop or whatever and your digital camera because you were dumb enough to put them in your suitcase instead of carrying them with you? Well, it is still happening (which you should have guessed since I started this bullet point by saying “Terrible news everyone!”). The Ezeiza airport police arrested 15 employees this week who were found responsible of stealing hundreds of items from careless travelers in the last couple of years. So remember that next time you send off your blackberry in a giant suitcase because you can’t be bothered to carry it.

• I guess being afraid of having your stuff stolen somewhat counts as being paranoid, so there! The local airport experience is now just like in the US.

• Argentina, you’re on (technologically speaking) fire! Since apparently the biometric system at the airport was not enough to make us look cool, now taxis will gradually begin offering passengers the possibility of paying with a credit or debit card. Fancy! So far only “15 or 20 taxis” have been provided with a wireless card reader in order to test the new methodology and “see what happens.” Really? “See what happens”? What could happen? You pay and you get out of the car! Am I missing something here? Whatever. Good luck catching one of those “15 or 20″ taxis in a city of three million people.

• Have you visited the International Book Fair in Plaza Italia yet? Why not? Never mind.

• Well if you had been there on opening day, you would have witnessed the hilariously tragic crossfire between Education Minister Alberto Sileoni and the City’s Culture Minister Hernán Lombardi (I know you didn’t click on any of those links, by the way). You see, since both of them were asked to give a speech at the opening ceremony, Lombardi (at odds with Cristina) seized the opportunity to attack the National Government for last month’s “ban on books” fiasco. Sileoni, of course, pretty much told him to fuck off while the audience booed and clapped and stuff. All in the name of education and culture, people.

• [ADDENDUM] Jesus, people! OK, I get it. I got like 15 emails from you and one guy even complained about it below. There are no “boos” to be heard in the Feria del Libro video, even though they existed. Sorry I gave you hope on some “boos” everyone! And if you still need to satisfy your blood lust, here’s a video from a couple of years ago when Cuban dissident Hilda Molina presented her book at the fair and leftist groups decided to crash her event and ruin it, all in the name of freedom of speech. Now fuck off.

• Oops! Back in 2008, 58 Pre-Columbian artifacts dating from 500
  

  Hotel Eden. Nazis welcome. (Photo/Wikipedia)

  to 1000AD, with a cumulative value estimated at around US$ 700,000, were mysteriously stolen from the Ambato Museum in La Falda, Córdoba. How exciting and Hollywoodesque, right? Even more intriguing, the Ambato Museum is located inside the creepy Hotel Eden, a mythical place that once hosted Che Guevara and Albert Einstein. What’s worse, according to historians, its owners were staunch Adolf Hitler supporters (no surprise there) and had personally offered their hotel as a hideout to the fuhrer in case things didn’t go as planned after World War II. How awesome is this story, huh? You’ve got the fifth Indiana Jones movie right here. The script is writing itself! But alas, it turns out it wasn’t the Neo-Nazis trying to revive Hitler and Che Guevara by casting some ancient indigenous spell only described in one of the stolen artifacts. Nah, that’s too contrived. They were actually in the hands of a City Government official who moonlights as an art collector, obviously. The guy has claimed that he purchased the items “in good faith” and that he had no idea that they were stolen, while City Hall has denied that the guy was working for them. Whatever the case may be, it’s a thousand times less exciting than the possibility of a fight to the death between zombie Hitler and zombie Che Guevara while the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

• I know, I have issues. Leave me alone.

• This week, in “The Football“: TRAGEDY! In an unexpected turn of events that has the global scientific community at a loss, infallible, human-like deity Lionel Messi failed to score against the Chelsea this week, triggering an unstoppable chain of events that has ended in the shaming and collapse of Spain as a sports legend worldwide. And we all know what this means. THIS. That’s it, folks. Messi is now officially on the way down. Sure, he reached the pinnacle of his almighty glory these last few years, but deep down we all knew he wouldn’t be able to keep this charade up for long. Now, I don’t know much about football (that’s why every week I keep feeding you inaccurate information when it comes to games, and teams and players and shit. It’s not that I fail at gathering the correct information. I just don’t care about getting it), but one thing is clear: when you fail once, the deep scrutinizing begins. “Is something wrong with him?” or ”Messi hits rock bottom!” are some of the statements coming from the pundits who allegedly know what they’re talking about. So now it’s only a matter of time before he gives in to cocaine, alcohol and prostitutes (you know, like a certain someone) and he ends up in a distant outpost in the Middle East while engaging in mischief and tomfoolery largely due to cultural differences (you know, like a certain someone).

• You thought I was going to compare him to Diego Maradona, didn’t you? Please, like I’m that predictable.

• Oh, shit: The local press is saying that Lionel Messi’s girlfriend is pregnant. And so the collapse of an idol begins.

• Erik Lamela (someone I never heard of before but apparently used to play for River Plate so I guess he was kind of important), has having some sort of a kerfuffle with another player and decided to settle their argument by spitting on him. So here’s the video, which is totally disappointing because you can see him pursing his lips but you cannot see the actual spit. And let’s face it, that’s the only reason why you would click on that link in the first place. Still, Spitgate was so big this week that I decided to mention it, just to keep you in the loop. Because I know you don’t give a shit about Cristina’s speech today. But the spit incident? You have to know all about that!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Send Adrian your comments, thoughts or tips at adrianbono@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @AdrianBono

The interior minister, Florencio Randazzo, has announced the implementation of a new immigration procedure for entry and exit in the country.

Randazzo said that “from now on, no more migration cards will be filed manually. The immigration will now be carried out in digital terminals, with a new biometric system.

“The amendments will result in a less cumbersome procedure, reducing time and increasing safety, since the digital recording avoids having to change passenger information.”

From now on, when a passenger enters or exits the country, a digitalised photo and fingerprint will be used to validate their identity.

Randazzo said that, with the implementation of the new system, the time of the procedure “has been halved. The average time spent in immigration has been reduced from one minute to 28 seconds. So for us it is a very important breakthrough.”

This system is already in operation in Buquebús and the domestic terminals in Ezeiza. It is due to be extended to all terminals and airfields in the country.

A piquet of cleaners and security workers on strike blocked the access to Ezeiza International Airport early this morning, threatening to cause further disturbances if their requests aren’t met.

Some 900 protesters demanded better salaries and working conditions, and are additionally promising to block the airport’s gates tonight from 5pm to 7pm.

“We are obliged to be on duty for 12-hour shifts from Sunday to Sunday, with a day off every two weeks,” the workers declared through their union in a letter.

Employees of Securitas and Serza companies—in charge of security and cleaning, respectively—denounced episodes of mistreatments and starvation wages.

Protesters claim that being in charge of security and cleaning checks at the same time don’t allow them to be affiliated with appropriate trade unions. This would make them more likely to be exploited. Hence, they are now pushing to be affiliated to an aeronautical syndicate instead.

At the time of writing, talks are being held at the general office for Labour Relations between government officials and worker representatives.

Hundreds of passengers already experienced various degrees of service disruptions today from 8.30am to 11am. Protesters said they were getting organised to carry on with the strike in case a deal won’t be stricken in today’s consultations.

Officials for both the Ezeiza and Aeroparque airports have confirmed that as of midday today, flights will be taking off again.

Yesterday 146 flights were cancelled as a result of the volcanic ash. Lan cancelled 17 flights this morning and other airlines have warned that flights will not be taking off for the south of the country until further warning. The volcanic cloud is drifting northwards.

The volcano Puyehue, which erupted four months ago in Chile, is the source of the ash cloud that continues to disrupt air traffic.

Transportation Secretary, Juan Pablo Schiavi, has called for all passengers to “take care” with air travelling.

Many airlines, including Lan and Aerolineas, are recommending that travelers consult the company websites for flight information.

Chilean volcano Puyehue has erupted once again generating more disruption at Jorge Newbery Metropolitan Airport and Ezeiza International Airport. According to La Nación, 57 flights have been cancelled or delayed so far, although this number may increase.

The most affected domestic destinations were Bahia Blanca, Neuquén, Rio Grande and Iguazú Falls. International departures have also been cancelled, including Montevideo, Santiago de Chile and Rio de Janeiro.

Aerolíneas Argentinas reported that all flights to San Martin de los Andes (Neuquén) will be cancelled until 1 November.

Puyehue volcano ash clouds also caused chaos earlier this year in June and July, even affecting Australian air space.

As ashes from Chile’s Puyehue volcano return yet again to Argentina, the domestic airport Aeroparque has cancelled all flights.

A spokesman for Aeropuertos Argentina said this morning that all Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral flights from Aeroparque have been suspended, till at least midday.

He added that “seven arrivals and nine departures” had been cancelled at the international airport Ezeiza.

The centre of the country has been most affected by the ashes, and is proving the most difficult to get to by air.

After last night’s return of ash from the Chilean Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano chain, Ezeiza and Aeroparque will be shut until at least 5pm today. Following a week of disruptions to flights, 40 international and national flights have been cancelled. With affects being felt as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

Cancellations occurred last night after The National Aviation Administration (ANAC) announced that air operations were limited due to heavy presence of ash in the centre of the country.

Aerolíneas Argentinas, Austral, LAN and other airlines announced last night via their websites that they would cancel flights until at least this afternoon. All flights were affected.

The National Meteorological Service (SMN) defended their decision to suspend operations by stating that they were “acting in accordance with the established protocols and recommendations for safety in this type of event”. They continued to say that services would remain limited whilst there remained heavy concentrations of ash in the atmosphere.

For delayed passengers there is much uncertainty over their future journeys. To compensate Aerolíneas Argentinas has stated that “those passengers affected by the delays will be given open tickets for one year from date of issue without any charge.”

A meeting is being held at 3pm at Ezeiza to re-assess the situation. Passengers planning on travelling in the next few days are advised to consult their airline about any possible changes or cancellations before they travel.

As the ash cloud from the eruption of the Chilean volcano Puyehue approaches Buenos Aires, airlines have cancelled international flights to and from Ezeiza Airport.

The National Meteorological Service (SMN) announced that the ash cloud, which has already reached ten Argentine provinces and the southern region of Greater Buenos Aires, will arrive in the capital today. The SMN added that the ash cloud’s proximity to Buenos Aires is no cause for alarm; much of the ash dispersed as the cloud passed through the South and will be “barely noticeable” in the capital. The ash is suspended at an altitude of five to ten thousand meters.

Still, in addition to the six airports that remain closed of the capital (Bariloche, Viedma, Trelew, Chapelco, Esquel and Bahía Blanca), Ezeiza remains on hold. Last night more than six airlines cancelled incoming flights to Ezeiza (including Delta, LAN, and United Airlines), and a crisis committee has gathered to determine when it will be safe to clear international departures for the airlines that plan to resume flights later this evening.

After shutting down this morning, domestic airport Aeroparque resumed service this afternoon.

Airports closer to the volcano, which is located 90km northeast of Bariloche, will remain closed for the rest of the week. State-owned airlines Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral suspended flights between Aeroparque and Bariloche and between Chapelco and Esquel until Sunday. Flights from Aeroparque to Trelew, Neuquén, and Videma will resume on Thursday.

Four thousand residents have evacuated their homes since the eruption on Saturday afternoon, escaping strong rains, soot, and flash floods. Patagonia was affected most severely by the cloud. Classes and public events have been cancelled in Bariloche, and ash fell over the region at mid-day.

No fatalities have been reported as caused by the volcano.