How to find a cheap car rental deal in Argentina
Whether you're looking for a small car for cruising the city streets or a bigger ride for bigger plans, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in Argentina. Compare deals that start from $38 a day and hit the road for less.
Longer adventures offer better value, starting at $263 for a weekly home.
Browse the car rentals in Cordoba and trim your transport costs. It's the cheapest place in Argentina to book a set of wheels.
Overall, the most popular city to rent a car in is Buenos Aires.
If you're not sure which provider to go with, check out Localiza. It's the first choice for many travellers in Argentina.
You won't need to go far after landing to pick up your ride. Car rentals are available at major airports including Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery Airport, Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini Airport and Cordoba Airport.
You can rent some wheels easily in cities including Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, San Carlos Bariloche and Puerto Iguazú.
A one-way home could work in your favor. Providers often lower prices when they need to move cars between sites. When searching for a car for rent in Argentina, select 'Return car to a different location' to access those deals.
Taking your time on this trip? Consider a 30-day home. Longer bookings can cost less because they involve less paperwork and handling for the company.
To avoid extra costs, choose a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You start with a full tank and bring it back full, which means you're only paying for the fuel you use.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey instead of tracking the odometer. Find this feature under the 'Policies' filter and go big on distance, not on fees.
Best time to book a car rental in Argentina
Get the timing right and book around three weeks ahead to land the best price on a car rental in Argentina.
September is the most affordable month to rent a car. You can expect average daily rates of $66 then.
If you want to steer clear of the most expensive time of year, avoid booking in July.
Compare car rental types in Argentina
Economy: If you want affordable and reliable, economy fits the bill. With lower daily rates and fuel-efficient engines, this option helps keep both upfront and ongoing costs manageable.
Small: This category features mini and economy cars that handle the basics with ease. Compact dimensions, fuel-efficient engines and easy manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when looking for a cheap rental car in Argentina.
Medium: Need a step up in space without the big step up in size? Medium homes (which include compact and intermediate models) hit the sweet spot. They feel right at home on city streets, on open highways and just about everywhere in between.
Large: No elbow battles. No bags sliding around your feet. Also known as full-size, large cars offer real passenger space and the luggage capacity to match. Choose this level when you're covering some serious ground or bringing the entire crew.
SUV: Road trips through Argentina are a dream in one of these. The higher seating position offers a wider view of what's ahead and helps you stay aware of your surroundings. Engineered for versatility, they can take you from busy urban streets to off-the-radar stretches without missing a beat.
Van: For business use or large group travel, this type of car for rent in Argentina gives you the hauling power you need. These commercial vans and trucks feature generous cargo space and practical layouts that make loading more efficient.
Luxury: Hit the road in ultimate style. Combining standout design, state-of-the-art technology, and performance tuned for precision and power, these vehicles redefine what a home experience can be.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the excess you may have to pay if your rental car is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, you'll be glad to have it if something goes wrong. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.
Level up your ride with extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. These add-ons can make your journey easier and more relaxed when you rent a car in Argentina.
Driving in Argentina: What you need to know
Age requirements can vary by supplier (and even car type), so be clear on the rules before you book. Some companies in Argentina may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you fall outside the typical age bracket, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.
If you're bringing the kids along, check if you need to add a car seat to your car rental reservation in Argentina. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.
You'll need to hand over a few things when collecting your rental car: a valid driver's license, extra photo ID, and a credit card that can cover the security deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Any extra must-haves will be shown in your booking.
Driving in Argentina may take some getting used to if it's your first time. Keep in mind you'll need to stay on the right side of the road.
Local speed limits are often about 45kph through urban areas and around 110kph on highways. Road signs will indicate if the limit is different.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Argentina is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink at all.
You'll be using the Argentine peso (ARS) here. Along with your bank cards, have some cash on hand for smaller purchases.
Spanish is the language you'll hear most people speaking in this country.
Where to road trip in Argentina?
Argentina is easy to explore by car, with major home hubs in Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Bariloche, plus airport pickup points like Ministro Pistarini International Airport and El Plumerillo Airport. If you're planning car rental in Argentina, the routes below show how pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types shift depending on whether you're heading into wine country, Patagonia or the northwest.
Food and Wine: Mendoza and the Cuyo Wine Regions
Pick up your car in Mendoza and drive south through one of Argentina's most productive wine valleys, stopping at bodegas set against the Andean foothills. This route suits food-focused travellers who prefer a relaxed pace with short daily drives between tastings and small city stays.
Recommended car: Standard sedan or compact car.
Suggested pickup point: El Plumerillo Airport, Mendoza.
Good for: Couples, food and wine enthusiasts, first-time visitors.
Road conditions: Paved provincial roads, some unpaved winery access tracks.
Best time to go: March or April for harvest season.
Trip length: Four to six days.
Key stops: San Rafael, Luján de Cuyo.
Nature and Adventure: Patagonia and the Andean Lake District
Pick up your car in Bariloche and head south along the Andean lake district toward some of Patagonia's most dramatic glacial terrain and remote valley towns. The distances between stops are long, so this drive suits travellers who are comfortable behind the wheel for several hours at a stretch.
Recommended car: Mid-size SUV or 4x4.
Suggested pickup point: San Carlos de Bariloche Airport.
Good for: Adventure travellers, nature lovers, experienced drivers.
Road conditions: Paved highways, gravel mountain roads, unpaved rural stretches.
Best time to go: November to March for accessible roads and mild weather.
Trip length: Seven to ten days.
Key stops: El Bolsón, Esquel.
History and Culture: The Northwest and the Quebrada de Humahuaca
Pick up your car in Salta and drive north through the high-altitude valleys of Argentina's northwest toward a UNESCO-listed gorge and a string of colonial and pre-Columbian settlements. This is a rewarding route for culturally curious travellers who don't mind slower, winding roads at high elevation.
Recommended car: SUV or high-clearance vehicle.
Suggested pickup point: Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport, Salta.
Good for: History buffs, cultural travellers, photographers.
Road conditions: Paved highland roads, unpaved sections at altitude, mountain curves.
Best time to go: April to June for dry conditions and cooler temperatures.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Tilcara, Humahuaca.
Weather and driving conditions in Argentina
Weather
Argentina follows a Southern Hemisphere calendar, so summer runs December through February and winter falls between June and August. Spring and fall — September through November and March through May — bring mild, settled conditions across much of the country.
Driving in Argentina means adjusting to conditions that vary widely across the country. Heavy rain is common across the Pampas and northeast, so slow down and increase your following distance on wet roads. Snow and ice affect Andean mountain passes in Patagonia and the northwest, where checking road closures before you set out is essential. Intense heat across the Chaco and central plains can strain your car's cooling system, so monitor your temperature gauge and carry extra water.
Driving conditions
The main highways connecting Argentina's cities are paved and well-maintained, but a road trip in Argentina regularly involves ripio. Ripio — loose gravel and unpaved tracks — is common across Patagonia and the northwest, so you'll want to pick a vehicle with decent ground clearance.
Buenos Aires moves fast, with dense grid-pattern streets, aggressive lane changes, and limited street parking in the centre. Tolls on the city's ring roads are common, and one-way systems in older neighbourhoods can disorient first-time visitors. {NS} Outside the cities, Argentina's vast distances mean gas stations can be far apart, especially across Patagonia and the northwestern highlands. Signage on regional roads is generally present but sparse in remote areas, and lanes narrow considerably away from main corridors.
On Argentina's rural highways, particularly across the Pampas and Patagonia, livestock, guanacos, and rheas frequently cross unfenced roads. Encounters are most common at dawn and dusk, so keeping your speed measured through open country pays off.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
No matter where your drive leads, a solid overnight stop makes a big difference at the end of a long drive. After booking your car rental in Argentina, browse the range of hotels in Buenos Aires if you're passing by this major stop. You can also compare Cordoba accommodation options or browse places to stay in Mendoza as you put together your full route.
