Argentina has an extensive railway network but it is primarily used for freight transport. Train travel in Argentina is limited to only a few long-distance trains, suburban trains in Buenos Aires and some regional passenger services. There are also tourist trains in Argentina, some of them are world-famous.
In recent years, the number of long-distance trains has significantly improved. The old passenger cars have been replaced with new ones manufactured in China. People are eager to use trains.
Most of passenger trains in Argentina are operated by government-owned Trenes Argentinos.
Last updates: 11.08.2024
Train travel in Argentina – useful websites:
Trenes Argentinos – official website. Timetable, prices and tickets.
SOFSE – online shop for some trains.
Tren Patagonico – long-distance train from Viedma to Bariloche.
Tren a las Nubes – a very popular tourist train in Salta.
Long-distance trains in Argentina
Long-distance trains in Argentina connect largest city in the country. Trains are comprised of Chinese-made passenger carriages equipped with air-conditioning and vacuum toilets. Passengers can choose between 2nd class, 1st class, in some trains restaurant car and sleeping carriages are also available.
Seat reservation is compulsory.
Long-distance trains run on the following routes:
Buenos Aires – Mar del Plata
Buenos Aires – Gral. Guido – Divisadero de Pinamar
Buenos Aires – Bragado
Buenos Aires – Junín
Buenos Aires – Rufino / Justo Daract
Buenos Aires – Rosario
Buenos Aires – Córdoba
Buenos Aires – Tucumán
Train from Buenos Aires – Bahía Blanca is currently suspended but it may change in the future. Trains are periodically canceled, then reinstated, and so it goes on in a cycle.
My favourite long-distance train in Argentina was “The Gran Capitan” from Buenos Aires to Parana. The route of the train led along border with Uruguay and Brazil and train terminated in Parana on the border with Paraguay. The train was discontinued but in my opinion it has an huge tourist potential and I don’t understand, why Argentinian authorities don’t reinstate it.
There are no long-distance trains to Parana at all.
Tren Patagónico
Tren Patagonico is a train operator in Patagonia. The operator run the following trains:
Long-distance train Viedma – Bariloche
Regional train Bariloche – San Antonio Oeste
Regional train Ing. Jacobacci – Bariloche
Seasonal tourist train La Trochita (Old Patagonian Train)
Most famous is a long-distance train from Viedma to Bariloche which is situated not far away from the Chilean border. This train is comprised of seating carriages, sleeping carriage, restaurant carriage and carriages intended for transport of the cars and motorcycles.
Regional trains are served by Chinese diesel multiple units equipped with air-conditioning. Seats are comfortable.
Tourist train La Trochita is a steam-hauled train with vintage carriages with wooden seats.
Tren Patagónico – official website
Train travel in Argentina – international trains
Argentina has a railway links with adjacent countries but only international passenger trains is cross-border train from Parana to Entroncamento in Paraguay. There are many trains daily. Journey time is about 5 minutes and advanced reservation is no needed.
On 30 August 2011 train from Argentina to Urugay was inaugurated. Train ran from Pilar, Argentina to Paso de los Toros, Urugay (813 km) through Salto and Paysandu (2nd a 3rd largest cities in Urugay). The service was stopped in 2012. There were plans to launch a new passenger train between Argentina and Uruguay in 2023 but failed.
Tourist trains in Argentina
Tren del Fin del Mundo – a world-famous narrow-gauge railway at the southern extremity of Tierra del Fuego. The starting station is located on the outskirts of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. You can reach it by plane, and it’s 3,040 kilometers from Buenos Aires. The train runs daily. During the season (from September 1st to April 30th), there are three pairs of trains daily, while outside the season, there are two pairs of trains daily. The trains are expensive, and the ride is short.
Tren del Fin del Mundo – official website
Tren Histórico de Villa Elisa – a tourist train that connects the tiny towns of Villa Elisa and Caseros. The route is only 36 kilometers long. The trains are powered by a steam locomotive that has been converted to diesel. Probably suspended
Tren Ecológico de la Selva – an interesting train that runs along the Iguazu River and its waterfalls near the border with Brazil. The train runs on natural gas, and the carriages have no windows, allowing tourists to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Manufactured in England, the train covers the 20-kilometer route in about 30 minutes. Each carriage can accommodate 50 passengers.
Iguazu National Park – additional information about the train
Tren a Las Nubes – a world-famous “Train to the Clouds” operates on the Argentine section of the Antofagasta – Salta line known as Huaytiquina (this line connects Argentina and Chile, but there are no passenger services between the countries).
The train begins its journey in the city of Salta at an altitude of 1,187 meters above sea level and ends on the La Polvorilla viaduct at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. The train route is 217 kilometers long; on its way to the destination, the “Train to the Clouds” crosses 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, and 13 viaducts. The round trip takes 16 hours, so it’s easy to calculate that the train moves very slowly. But in the case of a tourist train, it’s not the speed that determines its success, but the breathtaking views. And these are plentiful along the “Train to the Clouds” route. Sometimes, it’s beautiful panoramas, other times it’s heart-stopping chasms right next to the tracks. The La Polvorilla viaduct itself is a masterpiece of engineering— on a clear day, you can admire clouds swirling below the height of the viaduct, hence the name of the train.
Tren a las Nubes – a very popular tourist train in Salta.
La Trochita – an “Old Patagonian train” operated seasonally by Tren Patagónico. During the fall-winter season, the route starts at the Ing. Jacobacci station and runs for 15 kilometers until reaching Empalme 648. In the spring-summer season, starting in October, the train starts at the Ing. Jacobacci station and runs for 43 kilometers until reaching the Ojos de Agua station. Steam-hauled train with vintage carriages.
Tren Patagónico – official website
The Histórico Tren a Vapor from San Carlos de Bariloche to Perito Moreno-Los Juncos was probably discontinued.
The Tren de las Sierras train currently runs as regular passenger service between Villa María and Córdoba.
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