Carry-On Only for Buenos Aires: EZE, AEP, and Bag Rules

Buenos Aires is one of South America's great cities — wide European-influenced boulevards, late-night steakhouses, tango bars, bookshops, and a cultural energy that rewards slow exploration. The logistics of getting there and getting around require more planning than most destinations: two airports serving different functions, a transfer from EZE that takes longer than many people expect, and a currency situation that rewards carrying cash. A well-planned carry-on makes all of this easier.

Airline Quick Reference

The 8 kg limit at Aerolíneas Argentinas is a meaningful advantage over Southeast Asian budget carriers — it is 1 kg more than the 7 kg norm and in practice means a mid-size backpack packed realistically will be fine.

EZE vs AEP — Two Airports, Two Purposes

EZE — Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza): All long-haul international flights and most international arrivals land here. It is 45 km south-west of Buenos Aires city centre. Do not underestimate this transfer. By Tienda León bus (the recommended option), the journey to the Madero terminal in central BA takes approximately 45–60 minutes in normal conditions and longer in traffic. A private taxi or rideshare runs similar times. There is no metro or train connection to EZE.

AEP — Jorge Newbery Aeroparque: The domestic airport, located directly in the city in the Palermo neighbourhood. A taxi from most central neighbourhoods takes 15–20 minutes. Domestic routes within Argentina — to Córdoba, Mendoza, Bariloche, Iguazú Falls — all depart from AEP. If you're adding a domestic trip, note that AEP is far easier to get to than EZE.

Budget at least 2 hours for the EZE transfer when planning outbound departures. Traffic jams on the Autopista Richieri are common. The Tienda León bus has fixed, predictable departure times from the city and is the most reliable option in heavy traffic.

Argentine Currency — Carry Cash

Argentina's currency situation has been complex for years and changes frequently. At various points there has been a significant gap between the official exchange rate and the informal market rate. US dollars in small denominations (20s and 50s) have historically offered more purchasing power when exchanged at licensed currency exchange offices (casas de cambio) compared with card payments or ATM withdrawals at official rates.

Before your trip:

• Check the current exchange rate situation from a reliable recent source
• Carry some USD in small bills (ones and fives are useful for small purchases)
• Your bank card will work at ATMs but may give the official rate
• Inform your bank of travel to Argentina before departure

Carrying cash US dollars requires no special packing beyond keeping them in a money belt or inside your carry-on. Do not keep all your cash in one place.

Tango Shows — What to Pack for Buenos Aires Evenings

Buenos Aires has two very different tango experiences. Tourist dinner shows (La Ventana, El Viejo Almacén, Piazzolla Tango) are held in dedicated venues and require smart-casual dress — a collared shirt and dark trousers for men, a blouse or dress for women. These shows are spectacular but are designed for visitors.

Milongas — the social dance events where Porteños actually dance — have stricter dress codes. For men: dress shoes (not sneakers), collared shirt, often a jacket. For women: heels and a dress are the norm. Attending a milonga in street clothes marks you as a tourist unfamiliar with the culture; dressing correctly signals respect.

If you plan to attend a milonga, pack one pair of dress shoes that doubles as your smart footwear for restaurants. For women, tango heels can be rented at many milonga venues — you don't need to pack them.

Seasonal Packing — Southern Hemisphere Reversal

Buenos Aires is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means the seasons are reversed from Europe and North America. This is the most common planning error:

• June–August: Winter in BA. Temperatures of 6–15°C. You need real layers — a mid-layer fleece and a proper outer jacket. Not heavy, but genuinely warm clothing.
• December–February: Summer. Hot and humid, 28–35°C. Minimal clothing. Shorts and light tops.
• March–May and September–November: Mild shoulder seasons. A light layer and a packable rain jacket cover most conditions.

If you're coming from a European summer to visit Buenos Aires, you are flying into winter. This is the most frequently under-packed scenario for BA travel — bring a real jacket.

Mate Gourds and Airport Security

Mate is Argentina's national drink — a strong herbal tea drunk from a gourd (mate) through a metal filter straw (bombilla). If you're taking yerba mate or a mate set home, be aware:

• The bombilla is a curved metal straw and will appear clearly on X-ray scanners — allow time for a bag check
• Loose yerba mate in bags looks similar to other plant material in scanners and may prompt inspection
• Some countries have import restrictions on plant material — check the biosecurity rules of your destination before bringing yerba mate home
• Declare all plant-based products when asked at customs

Airport Tips

• EZE: confirm your terminal (T A or T B) before heading to check-in
• Tienda León buses from EZE to the city run frequently and are more reliable than taxis in peak traffic
• Currency exchange at EZE airport typically offers the least favourable rates — exchange or withdraw what you need in the city
• AEP has no international departures — all international flights leave from EZE

Bottom Line

Buenos Aires carries a few logistical quirks that catch first-timers: the distance of EZE from the city, the seasonal reversal, and the currency dynamics. With a carry-on only approach, you're more mobile, skip the checked-bag wait, and can move quickly between EZE and AEP on domestic trips. Pack for the correct season, bring a small amount of USD in cash, and have one smart outfit for tango — everything else is straightforward.

LATAM allowance for the booked fare

LATAM permits one main bag up to 55×35×25 cm and 12 kg in Economy, or 16 kg in Premium Economy/Business, plus a 45×35×20 cm personal item. Basic requires a main-bag purchase. Light is included in the English main page and Spanish tables, but the Portuguese international table lists an extra cost; confirm the issued fare. The personal-item FAQ gives 10 kg, while the Brazilian regional table gives 12 kg in Premium cabins.

LATAM cabin guide