EXPLORE San Carlos de Bariloche

Bariloche arrival: Patagonia begins thirteen kilometres away

Welcome to San Carlos de Bariloche, where BRC sits about 13 kilometres east of the city and the Andes begin making your arrival photos look suspiciously competent. Check the flight before leaving because Argentine domestic schedules can be unreliable, then collect baggage and choose transport before joining the curbside improvisation tournament. Winter snow, summer crowds and road disruptions can stretch transfer times. Keep a warm layer accessible instead of packing it beneath everything you own like a person who has never met Patagonia.

BRC transfer: bus 72, taxi or a pre-booked escape

Argentina’s national parks guidance identifies line 72 as the public bus connection between the airport and Bariloche’s bus terminal. A taxi or reserved transfer is simpler with luggage, while a rental car is useful for dispersed lakes and trailheads if you are prepared for mountain weather and local driving. Bariloche’s municipal buses accept SUBE and expanded contactless payment methods, but confirm the current route, schedule and payment setup before boarding. There is no passenger train from the airport to downtown, so do not stand outside waiting for rails to emerge from the scenery.

Bariloche safety: lock the car before admiring the mountains

Bariloche’s most specifically documented visitor problem is theft from unattended vehicles, especially rental cars. Leave nothing visible, take passports and electronics with you, and use guarded parking when possible. Watch bags at the airport and bus terminal, book reputable taxis and avoid isolated viewpoints after dark. Mountain conditions create separate risks: weather changes fast, wildfires can close roads and outdoor rescues may be expensive. Check park and route alerts, carry suitable clothing and tell someone your hiking plan. The view is magnificent; it is not licensed to supervise your backpack.

Sources

• Argentina government Bariloche Airport information
• Argentina National Parks Bariloche transport guidance
• Argentina government Bariloche public transport payment guidance
• United Kingdom government Argentina safety guidance

Last verified: September 8, 2026