Updated: July 27, 2026

The Tienda León shuttle runs from Ezeiza (EZE) to a downtown terminal near Retiro in about 60 minutes for around USD 11–12, roughly a third of a taxi fare. This Manuel Tienda León coach is the shuttle bus most visitors mean when they ask about the bus from the airport, and it is the best-value way into Buenos Aires if you are travelling light and do not mind a set timetable. This page explains how the shuttle works, where it drops you, and how to finish your journey. As of 2026 the service below is running normally.

How does the Tienda León shuttle work?

It is a comfortable coach, not a public city bus. You buy a ticket at the Manuel Tienda León desk in the Terminal A arrivals hall or online, board the coach just outside the terminal, and ride to the company's own downtown terminal near Retiro station. Departures run about every hour through the day, coaches have luggage holds and air conditioning, and the fare is fixed, so there is no haggling. Because it is a scheduled service you may wait a little for the next departure, which is the main trade-off against a taxi that leaves the moment you are in it.

How much does the shuttle cost?

Around USD 11–12 one way, paid in pesos or by card at the desk, which is roughly a third of the USD 30–40 an official counter taxi charges to the centre. For a solo traveller or a couple with normal luggage that saving is the whole appeal. The figure moves with the peso, so treat it as a guide and confirm at the counter. Note that the fare gets you to the downtown terminal, not to your hotel door, so budget a little more for the short onward leg described below.

Where does the shuttle drop me off?

At Manuel Tienda León's own terminal in the Retiro area of central Buenos Aires, close to the main railway and bus stations. From there most travellers finish with a short taxi or a ride on the Subte (metro) to their accommodation. If your hotel is central the last leg is quick and cheap; if you are heading somewhere like Palermo, see our airport to Palermo guide for the best way to complete the trip. The terminal is staffed and well signed, so the change is straightforward even after a long flight.

Where do I buy tickets and board?

You buy at the Manuel Tienda León desk in the Terminal A arrivals hall, or online before you travel, and pay in pesos or by card. Staff point you to the boarding area just outside the terminal doors, where the coaches wait, and you hand your larger bags to be stowed in the hold before you climb aboard. There is no need to book a specific departure in advance for a standard trip; you take the next coach on the timetable. If you are arriving on a late flight, check the last departure of the night when you buy, since frequency thins out in the small hours and you may prefer a taxi at that point.

Is the shuttle better than a taxi?

It depends on what you are optimising for. Here is the trade-off in plain terms:

  • Price: the shuttle wins clearly, at roughly a third of a taxi fare.
  • Convenience: a taxi or transfer wins — door to door, no onward leg, no timetable.
  • Luggage: the shuttle is fine for normal bags but a taxi is easier with a lot of luggage.
  • Groups: once you are three or four people, a single taxi fare split can rival the shuttle.

For a fuller side-by-side of every route, see our airport to city guide.

How is the shuttle different from the public bus?

They are not the same thing, and the difference matters. The Tienda León shuttle is a private coach with a luggage hold, a fixed timetable and a fare of about USD 11–12. The public colectivo bus is the local city service: cheaper still, but it takes around two hours, needs a rechargeable SUBE card (you cannot pay the driver in cash), and has very little room for suitcases. For most arriving visitors the shuttle is the better trade of time and comfort for money; the public bus makes sense only if you are on a tight budget, travelling very light and not in a hurry.

Can I take the shuttle to the airport for my departure?

Yes, and it works just as well outbound. Coaches run from the downtown Tienda León terminal back to Ezeiza on a similar hourly pattern, so you can build it into your departure plan. Give yourself the same buffer you would for any airport run — aim to arrive three hours before an international flight — and allow for the coach's schedule plus traffic, which is heaviest in the morning and evening peaks. Our departures guide covers check-in timing and what to expect once you reach the terminal.

Do I need cash for the shuttle?

You can usually pay by card at the desk, but a little Argentine cash is handy for the onward taxi or Subte and for any small purchase along the way. Argentina's currency situation shifts, so it is worth reading our how to pay in Argentina guide before you travel to decide whether to bring US dollars to change, rely on a card, or draw pesos from an ATM. A card for the fare and a modest amount of pesos for the last leg is the combination that causes the least friction on arrival.