How to Get to Mendoza, Argentina: Best Routes + Tips

Mendoza is a city in Argentina, popular among wine lovers and those who appreciate beautiful landscapes. The destination is one of the world’s leading wine-producing regions and offers cinematic views with lakes, vineyards, and mountains. For those planning to visit, we have created a guide with information on how to get to Mendoza.

To help you organize your trip, we’ve gathered the main routes to reach Mendoza. In this text, you will find information about routes departing from major cities in Argentina and Santiago de Chile, as well as the best way to get to Mendoza.

What is the best way to get to Mendoza?

The best way to get to Mendoza is by plane. This applies regardless of your departure location. Whether you are coming from Chile, Argentina itself, or another country, you will find good flight options to El Plumerillo International Airport in Mendoza.

How to Get to Mendoza from Argentina

If you are already in Argentina and want to extend your trip to Mendoza, the good news is that both air and land connections between Argentine cities are excellent. Check below for how to get to Mendoza from the main cities in Argentina.

From Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the gateway to Argentina, making it the starting point for most travelers heading to Mendoza. Located 1,049 kilometers (651.81 miles) from Mendoza, Buenos Aires offers various transportation options to the city. The best ways to make this journey are by plane, car, bus, and train.

The plane is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Buenos Aires to Mendoza. For an economical and efficient alternative, the bus is a fantastic choice. Those who prefer a road trip experience can opt to rent a car, which offers more freedom along the way.

When driving, you can stop along the way to admire the beautiful landscapes and even spend a few days in other cities. Argentina’s well-kept roads are lined with convenience stores and gas stations. To make this trip, you will take Ruta Nacional 07 and drive for several hours.

Prices to travel from Buenos Aires to Mendoza: If you choose the bus, tickets start at US$ 58 while plane tickets begin at US$ 38 (purchase in advance to secure better prices).

For more details, check out our complete guide on how to travel from Buenos Aires to Mendoza.

From Salta

Salta is located north of Mendoza, approximately 1,260 kilometers (782.92 miles) away. The best modes of transportation from Salta to Mendoza are air, bus, and automobile.

The quickest way to get there is by plane. Direct flights take an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes and depart from Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport in Salta to El Plumerillo International Airport in Mendoza. Airlines offering direct flights include Aerolíneas Argentinas and JetSmart, with tickets starting at US$ 58.

For a more economical option, the bus is an amazing choice. The journey takes an average of 16 hours, with tickets starting at US$ 33. Bus companies operating this route include Flecha Bus, Andesmar, and Via Tac. To check bus schedules and prices, we recommend using the Plataforma10 website. To purchase tickets, visit the Salta bus station, where you may find discounts when paying in cash with local currency.

For those who enjoy driving, renting a car is a fantastic option. You can rent a car in Salta and either return it in Mendoza or bring it back to Salta if you plan to return. The roads from Salta to Mendoza are relatively good, and the scenery is beautiful.

From Córdoba

Córdoba is located 600 kilometers (372.82 miles) from Mendoza and is a common stop for those traveling from Buenos Aires to Mendoza or Salta, as the city lies roughly halfway between Buenos Aires and these destinations.

The best ways to travel from Córdoba to Mendoza are by plane, car, or bus.

As with other destinations, the plane is the fastest option. Flights take an average of 1 hour, and airlines offering direct flights include Flybondi and Aerolíneas Argentinas, with tickets starting at US$ 31.

The bus is a more economical option, and the journey isn’t too long, lasting approximately 8 hours. Bus tickets start at US$ 39, and you can check prices and schedules on the Plataforma10 website. To save even more, purchase tickets directly at the bus station and pay in the local currency.

Renting a car is also a excellent choice for those who enjoy driving. The roads from Córdoba to Mendoza are relatively good, and this option allows you to travel at your own pace with greater comfort and flexibility, free from transportation schedules.

From Bariloche

Bariloche is located south of Mendoza, in Argentine Patagonia. The distance between the two cities is 1,200 kilometers (745.64 miles), and the journey can be made by car, bus, or plane.

The fastest way to travel from Bariloche to Mendoza is by plane, with direct flights operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas and JetSmart. Although this route is not usually very cheap, it’s worth it if you’re looking for a more comfortable trip. Plane tickets start at US$ 64.

The bus is an efficient and economical option for traveling from San Carlos de Bariloche to Mendoza. Companies that operate this route include Andesmar and Cata Internacional, and the trip takes approximately 18 hours. To check schedules and prices, we recommend using the Plataforma10 website. However, for better savings, purchase tickets directly at the bus station and pay in local currency. For this route, bus tickets start at US$ 58.

Another excellent choice is to travel by car. The drive to Mendoza via Neuquén takes an average of 14 hours, with good roads and beautiful landscapes along the way.

Tip: If you choose to drive from Bariloche to Mendoza, pay attention to the time of year. In winter, you’ll need to rent a car equipped for driving in snowy conditions. To know when it snows at the destination, check out our article on the best time to visit Mendoza and the local snow season.

How to Get to Mendoza from Santiago de Chile

Are you in Santiago and unsure how to get to Mendoza? The route between Mendoza and Santiago (or Santiago to Mendoza) is one of the most popular in the region.

Due to the short distance between the two cities, thousands of tourists cross the Andes Mountains daily, either by land or air, as Mendoza lies near the border with Chile. The journey is quick and offers stunning, cinematic landscapes of the Andes Mountains.

Although there are direct flights between Mendoza and Santiago, which take only 1 hour, the most traditional way to make this route is by bus. The bus is more affordable, the journey is comfortable, and it allows you to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Andes Mountains up close, including the famous Los Caracoles road.

Bus tickets from Santiago to Mendoza start at US$ 29, and the trip takes an average of 8 hours. However, because of delays at immigration checkpoints, this time is frequently longer.

We have taken the bus journey from Mendoza to Santiago twice, both in winter and summer, and thoroughly enjoyed it. For all the details and prices of this trip, check out our post on traveling from Mendoza to Santiago by bus.

If you don’t want to endure hours on the road, the plane is the best option for this route. Airlines offering direct flights include Latam and Sky Airline, but you can also find flights with connections in Buenos Aires through other carriers like Aerolíneas Argentinas and JetSmart. Tickets start at US$ 26.

For those who love driving and want to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Andes at a leisurely pace, we recommend renting a car in Santiago and returning it in Mendoza. You can also hire a private transfer for this route.

Getting Around: Transfers in Mendoza

Now that you know how to get to Mendoza, here’s a transportation tip that helped us a lot at the destination: using transfers.

Although public transportation in the city is efficient, and Uber and taxis are relatively affordable, I recommend using a transfer service in certain situations. This service is particularly useful when arriving in the city (whether at the bus station or the airport), returning from the wineries, traveling between them, or exploring the mountain region.

Going to the wineries in Mendoza by taxi or Uber is quite simple, as you usually call the car from downtown Mendoza, a busy area with plenty of vehicle availability. The issue arises when it’s time to return, as both the winery regions and the Andes are far from the downtown. Finding a taxi or Uber in these areas can be quite difficult due to the lack of available cars, which can cause unnecessary stress and hassle during your trip.

We recommend booking a transfer to take you to and pick you up from the wineries—an excellent solution for enjoying a tour or lunch at the wineries without stress or worrying about the return trip. This service is also essential for convenience once you get to the city.

Transfers are transportation services that provide travelers with comfort and ease when getting around the region. By booking a transfer in Mendoza, you ensure peaceful outings without the hassle of finding an Uber or taxi to return to your hotel.

You can book your transfer in Mendoza through Civitatis, Get Your Guide, or Viator, websites we trust and always use during our travels.

Now that you’ve checked out our guide on how to get to Mendoza, choose the route and transportation method that best suits your travel style. And to organize your trip with ease, be sure to check out our tips on where to stay in Mendoza.