Updated: July 27, 2026

You can rent a car straight from Ezeiza (EZE): the main international brands keep desks in the arrivals area, and with a booking you can be on the road within about 30 minutes of clearing customs. Picking up at the airport suits travellers heading out of the city or straight onto a road trip, though most visitors staying in Buenos Aires itself do not need a car at all. This page covers how airport pickup works, what you need to rent, and whether it is the right call. As of 2026 the details below are current.

Can I rent a car at Ezeiza airport?

Yes. The recognised international rental companies operate desks serving the terminals, so you can collect a car on arrival rather than travelling into the city first. The smoothest way is to book online before you fly, which locks in the price and the vehicle class and means you only sign paperwork and collect keys on the day. Walk-up rental is sometimes possible but risks higher prices and no guarantee of the car you want, especially in the busy December to February summer season. Use the booking panel on this page to compare cars and rates for your dates.

What do I need to rent a car in Argentina?

Have your documents ready before you reach the desk. The usual requirements are:

  • A full driving licence held for at least a year, plus your passport.
  • An International Driving Permit alongside your home licence, which many companies expect for non-Spanish licences.
  • A credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit — debit cards are often refused.
  • A minimum age, usually 21 or higher, with a young-driver surcharge below 25.

Check the specific terms when you book, since they vary by company and vehicle class, and read what the quoted insurance does and does not cover.

Should I pick up at the airport or in the city?

It depends on your plan. Airport pickup makes sense if you are driving straight out of Buenos Aires — to the coast, the Pampas or wine country — because you skip a city transfer and start your trip at the terminal. If you are staying in town first and only want a car later for an excursion, a downtown pickup can be cheaper and saves you parking a car you will not use. Our general Buenos Aires car rental guide weighs the two, and for getting into the city without a car see the airport to city guide.

Do I even need a car in Buenos Aires?

Often not, and it is worth being honest about this before you book. Central Buenos Aires has dense public transport, cheap taxis and ride-hailing apps, and heavy traffic and scarce, pricey parking that make a car more burden than help for city sightseeing. A rental earns its keep when you are leaving the city — day trips and longer drives where public transport is thin. If your whole stay is in town, the money is usually better spent on taxis and the Subte, with our Buenos Aires taxis guide covering how getting around works.

How does collecting the car at EZE work?

After you clear immigration, baggage and customs into the arrivals hall, you go to your rental company's desk, present your documents and card, and sign the agreement. Staff will note the fuel level and any existing marks on the car, so walk around it yourself and photograph anything already damaged before you drive off. Confirm the fuel policy — full-to-full is the fairest — and how and where to return the car. Allow a little time for the paperwork; budgeting about 30 minutes from the desk to the exit is realistic once queues are factored in.

What about driving out of the airport?

Ezeiza sits southwest of Buenos Aires, linked to the city and the wider motorway network by toll roads, so keep some pesos or the means to pay tolls for your first drive. Argentina drives on the right. If your route takes you into central Buenos Aires the traffic is dense and the one-way grid demanding, which is another reason many travellers avoid a city car; heading away from town on the open highway is far more relaxed. Satellite navigation or an offline map is worth setting up before you leave the airport, as signage can be inconsistent.

Is renting cheaper than taxis for my trip?

It depends entirely on how much you drive. For a trip built around one or two excursions, a rental for just those days plus taxis for the rest usually beats keeping a car idle all week. For a genuine road trip of several days out of the city, a rental is both cheaper and far more practical than any other option. But for a stay spent mostly in Buenos Aires, the sums rarely favour a car once you add parking and the days it sits unused; a mix of fixed-price airport transfers and city taxis tends to cost less and stress you less. Work out how many days you will actually be behind the wheel before you commit.

How do I keep the cost down?

A few habits save real money. Book ahead rather than at the desk, choose the smallest car that fits your needs, and return it with a full tank to avoid refuelling charges. Read the insurance carefully: the headline rate often excludes cover you will want, and buying that cover can change which company is truly cheapest. Because prices are quoted with the peso in mind, compare a few options for your exact dates using the panel on this page, and see our how to pay in Argentina guide for the card-versus-cash question that affects deposits.