Traveling by train in Argentina is possible yet most travelers coming to Argentina will use the ever increasing priced bus systems or air flights to transit the country mostly because the railways in Argentina are very lacking with few routes.
However, there are passenger trains in Argentina with services including cabins but how do you get this information, where do you look on the internet?
Worry no more, here is the information. The following will be for long distance trains as well as some shorter distance ones. All links will open a new browser window so you are not back clicking all the time.
This first web site is run by an individual group of persons who are interested in seeing train travel in Argentina become more than what it is today, extremely limited. They are not funded by any governmental organization or the national railway. Take this link for your first bit of information. If you are using Google Chrome the browser will have an option to translate the web page.
The official web site for the Argentinean railways is Ferrocentral, take this link to their web page.. They do not have an English version but again, if your browser is Google Chrome it will translate the web site. This web site is apparently not functioning so as an alternative you can take this link to the web site of Ferrobaries which has limited rail destinations from Buenos Aries and the southern parts of the country.
Once you have the translation, you can find all the information you will need, route maps, type of seating, time tables and more.
There is no online booking so it will be necessary to go to the train station in Buenos Aries at the Retiro station to make any reservations and their booking office is at the very end of the station.
*** One note for the above train, it is almost impossible to book these trains during high season as I attempted to book from Buenos Aires to Tucuman on December 27th for the first available train and was told it was fully booked until March.***
*** One note for the above train, it is almost impossible to book these trains during high season as I attempted to book from Buenos Aires to Tucuman on December 27th for the first available train and was told it was fully booked until March.***
Tourist Trains:
In the south of the country they have what is know as "Train at the end of the world". This is basically a short distance train running through some very beautiful areas of the tip of Argentina. Take this link and you will go to the official web site and they have an English option. This is a very beautiful train ride.
To find out about the times, fares, and other details just click the "services" link on the left side of the web page then look to the upper right side next to the image of the clock of the newly loaded page and you will find additional links for fares.
Additionally in the south of the country, Patagonia region specifically there is what is known as "The Trochita" or old Patagonia express train. Click here and this will take you to their web site for detailed information. You will find a route map and other information related to this train.
There is also another train which runs from Bariloche to the east coast. This is called Tren Patagonico and has many stops along its route. Click here for the web site but the English language version does not seem to work however, the Spanish language version does. If you review the web site you can find information about costs and other data. They have a disco and cinema on this train which seems a bit odd but why not include this for more entertainment during the ride.
Additionally in the south of the country, Patagonia region specifically there is what is known as "The Trochita" or old Patagonia express train. Click here and this will take you to their web site for detailed information. You will find a route map and other information related to this train.
There is also another train which runs from Bariloche to the east coast. This is called Tren Patagonico and has many stops along its route. Click here for the web site but the English language version does not seem to work however, the Spanish language version does. If you review the web site you can find information about costs and other data. They have a disco and cinema on this train which seems a bit odd but why not include this for more entertainment during the ride.
In the north of the country, specifically in the Salta state there is what is know as "The Train to the Clouds" which is operated by a company called Tren a las Nubes. This is considered as the worlds highest train depending who you are talking to because the Chinese like to think of their train to Tibet as the worlds highest train. *** This train does not operate during their rainy season. I was in Salta on the 31st of December and it was not operating due to it being their rainy season.***
Take this link to official web site for this train and bookings. You will find a button on the front page for an English version. The web site has a route map with elevations, information on schedules and the ability to make reservations.
Finally, here is something which might interest a group planning a visit to Argentina. This is from a company called FarRail Tours. I have only just heard about this tour and can not verify or qualify it, however, based on the information I have, this is something that, if everything is as they promote, would be an incredible experience.
This company can make booking arrangements for a steam powered train to go through the Patagonia region of Argentina. This link has all of the information concerning this tour. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, click the link for their web page. The company appears to be headquartered in either Germany or the UK.
It was recently reported that the Argentinian government was going to make significant improvements to their railway systems but with the current financial issues facing the government this is now in doubt.
Travel Safe, Travel Happy
Finally, here is something which might interest a group planning a visit to Argentina. This is from a company called FarRail Tours. I have only just heard about this tour and can not verify or qualify it, however, based on the information I have, this is something that, if everything is as they promote, would be an incredible experience.
This company can make booking arrangements for a steam powered train to go through the Patagonia region of Argentina. This link has all of the information concerning this tour. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, click the link for their web page. The company appears to be headquartered in either Germany or the UK.
It was recently reported that the Argentinian government was going to make significant improvements to their railway systems but with the current financial issues facing the government this is now in doubt.
Travel Safe, Travel Happy