Chile Travel Forum

I am arriving into Valparaison on NCL Cruise in April 2010 and would like to travel overland to Buenos Aires. I understand BUS is the way to go but am also interested in possibility of travelling by Train.....I would be grateful for information on how to make these reservations?

There is no trans-Andean train between the two countries. I am more familiar with bus between Santiago and Buenos Aires, which takes about 20 hours. You can go direct or change bus in Mendoza with an overnight break. I am not sure if there are buses from Valparaíso, but CATA has an office there in the bus station and certainly go to Mendoza from there. perhaps you have to change bus in Mendoza. Once in Mendoza there is more choice of bus companies and a variety of services (quality of seats). I would recommend you change bus there and get an overnight bus to Buenos Aires from Mendoza(about 14 hours). Andesmar and Sendas are very good. Reserve the best quality seats (cama suite or cama ejecutivo).
http://www.catainternacional.com/prueba/index.php
http://www.vytsendas.com.ar/
http://www.andesmar.com/shop/default.asp?lang=en

If I remeber well there are some direct buses from Valparaiso to Mendoza and then from there BsAs,by bus it could take 13-16 hours.

Alternative is to go to Santiago (about 1,5 hour) with many buses every hour, then from Santiago to Buenos Aires.

It's a beatiful ride crossing the Andes when sunny), the border is at about 3200m asl, here a little bit of waste of time, all luggage might be checked at the border. During winter the road may close because a lot of snow (3200m asl).

You might consider taking the bus only as far as Mendoza and flying from there to Buenos Aires. The spectacular part of the trip is from Chile to Mendoza, after that it gets pretty flat and monotonous. Mendoza is worth spending a few days in if you enjoy wine. Many outstanding vineyards to visit and great food.

suerte
SAM