How to Combine Buenos Aires and Bariloche in One Trip
How to combine Buenos Aires and Bariloche on one ski trip: how many nights in each city, which order to visit, flights between them, and what it costs.
The best way to combine Buenos Aires and Bariloche on a ski trip is to spend 2 to 3 nights in Buenos Aires and 6 to 7 nights in Bariloche, linked by a 2-hour domestic flight. For most travelers we recommend putting Buenos Aires at the end of the trip, not the start: it gives you a weather buffer for the Bariloche flight home and lets you finish the holiday with steak, tango, and a slower pace after a week on the mountain.
Quick Answer: Buenos Aires + Bariloche ski trip
- Ideal length: 9 to 11 nights total (2-3 in Buenos Aires, 6-7 in Bariloche)
- Flight Buenos Aires to Bariloche: about 2 hours 10 minutes, $80-$160 USD round-trip
- Airports: international arrivals at Ezeiza (EZE); most Bariloche flights leave from Aeroparque (AEP), 45-60 minutes away by car
- Buenos Aires hotel: $90-$250 USD per night for a good 3-4 star in Palermo or Recoleta
- Buenos Aires winter weather: 8-15 C in July, rarely below freezing
- Best order: Bariloche first, Buenos Aires last
How many days do you need for Buenos Aires and Bariloche?
You need at least 9 nights to do both properly: 2 nights in Buenos Aires and 7 in Bariloche. That gives you 5 or 6 full ski days at Cerro Catedral plus one full day in the city. With 7 nights or fewer, we suggest skipping Buenos Aires beyond a same-day connection and saving the city for another trip.
Here is how the time splits on the itineraries we build most often:
- 9 nights: 2 Buenos Aires + 7 Bariloche (5-6 ski days)
- 11 nights: 3 Buenos Aires + 8 Bariloche (6 ski days, 1 rest day)
- 14 nights: 3 Buenos Aires + 7 Bariloche + 4 at a second resort such as Cerro Chapelco or a wine stop in Mendoza
Should you visit Buenos Aires before or after skiing?
Visit Buenos Aires after skiing whenever you can. Domestic flights into Bariloche (BRC) are occasionally delayed or cancelled by wind, fog, or heavy snow, and having your city nights at the end means a delay costs you a dinner, not your international flight home.
There are two exceptions. Travelers from Europe or Australia facing a 4 to 13 hour time difference often prefer 2 nights in Buenos Aires first to recover from jet lag before a demanding ski day. And if your international ticket lands early morning at Ezeiza, a city night can be easier than a rushed airport transfer. From North America the time difference is only 1 to 2 hours in the southern winter, so jet lag is rarely a reason to start in the city.
How do you get from Buenos Aires to Bariloche?
Fly. Aerolineas Argentinas, JetSMART, and Flybondi run multiple daily flights to Bariloche in the June to October ski season, with a flight time of about 2 hours 10 minutes and round-trip fares of $80 to $160 USD booked 3 or more weeks ahead.
The key detail is the airport change. International flights land at Ezeiza (EZE), 35 km from the city center, while most Bariloche departures leave from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), the city airport on the Rio de la Plata. A private car between the two costs $35 to $55 USD and takes 45 to 60 minutes. If you are connecting same-day, leave at least 4 hours between flights. Our full Buenos Aires to Bariloche guide covers bus and driving options too, though neither makes sense on a ski-focused trip.
What should skiers do with 2 or 3 days in Buenos Aires?
Spend them eating, walking, and resting your legs. Buenos Aires in July and August is mild, uncrowded with tourists, and at its cultural peak, with the theater and concert season in full swing.
Our short list for skiers coming off the mountain:
1. A proper parrilla dinner in Palermo or San Telmo, with a bottle of Mendoza Malbec. Budget $40-$70 USD per person.
2. The San Telmo Sunday market on Calle Defensa, if your dates include a Sunday.
3. A tango show or milonga in San Telmo or Almagro. Shows run $60-$150 USD with dinner; a local milonga costs a few dollars.
4. Recoleta Cemetery and the MALBA museum, both walkable from Recoleta hotels.
5. Teatro Colon, with guided tours most days and performances through the winter season.
Stay in Palermo Soho or Recoleta. Both are safe, walkable, full of restaurants, and 20 to 30 minutes from Aeroparque for your flight.
Where should you stay in Bariloche on a combined trip?
Stay in Bariloche town or along Avenida Bustillo if you want restaurants, chocolate shops, and lake views in the evening. Stay at Villa Catedral, at the base of Cerro Catedral, if you want to walk to the lifts. Town is 20 km and about 30 minutes from the base.
On a combined trip we usually recommend town. After a big city at one end of the trip, most travelers enjoy having Bariloche's restaurants and the Nahuel Huapi lakefront on their doorstep rather than a quieter ski village. If you are traveling with kids, our family skiing guide goes into more detail on where to base yourself.
How much does a Buenos Aires and Bariloche ski trip cost?
A 10-night combined trip costs roughly $3,800 to $6,500 USD per person on a mid-range budget, excluding international flights. The Buenos Aires portion adds about $400 to $900 USD per person for 2 to 3 nights of hotel, meals, and activities compared to a ski-only trip.
A typical mid-range breakdown per person:
- Buenos Aires, 3 nights (hotel, meals, a tango show): $600-$900 USD
- Domestic flight BUE-BRC round-trip: $80-$160 USD
- Bariloche, 7 nights hotel: $600-$1,300 USD (shared double)
- Lift passes, 6 days at Cerro Catedral: $330-$480 USD
- Ski rental, meals, transfers in Bariloche: $900-$1,500 USD
For a full cost breakdown by budget level, see how much a Patagonia ski trip costs in 2026. Bring some US dollars in cash for Buenos Aires; our money and cash guide explains why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly directly from Ezeiza to Bariloche?
Yes, a small number of Aerolineas Argentinas flights to Bariloche depart from Ezeiza, which avoids the airport transfer. They are less frequent than Aeroparque departures, so check schedules before booking your international arrival time.
Is Buenos Aires worth visiting in winter?
Yes. July and August temperatures are mild at 8-15 C, hotels are cheaper than in the December-February summer peak, and restaurants, theaters, and museums run their full programs.
Can I combine Buenos Aires, Bariloche, and another ski resort?
Yes, with 12 nights or more. The easiest add-on is Cerro Chapelco in San Martin de los Andes, about 3.5 hours by road from Bariloche, or Cerro Bayo in Villa La Angostura, about 1.5 hours away. Our custom trips handle the transfers.
Do I need a car in Buenos Aires or Bariloche?
No. In Buenos Aires, taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap and parking is difficult. In Bariloche, shuttle buses and private transfers reach Cerro Catedral, and a rental car only makes sense if you plan to visit several resorts.
*This guide was written by the Ski Patagonia Co. team, based on years of routing international skiers through Buenos Aires and guiding them at Cerro Catedral.*
Want Buenos Aires and Bariloche planned as one seamless trip, with flights, transfers, and ski days lined up? Tell us your dates on Plan My Trip and we will build the itinerary around you.