When you make the journey from Bariloche to Mendoza, it’s almost like going from one country to another. You’re transitioning between two of Argentina’s best and most unique regions: Patagonia, and the wine region. When I was travelling in Argentina last year, I took the overnight bus from Bariloche to Mendoza. It was quite a long trip but, by that point, I was totally used to marathon bus rides in South America and (spoiler alert), this is probably the only reasonable way to make this journey (but I have included other options in this article, in case you’re really not a fan of long distance bus rides).
San Carlos de Bariloche is pure mountain magic. It almost feels like a slice of Switzerland transplanted into Argentina, complete with chalet-style architecture and crystal-clear lakes surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It was my first taste of Patagonia, and it really didn’t disappoint, even though by this time it was autumn and the weather was turning cold.
Mendoza, on the other hand, is Argentina’s wine capital, surrounded by desert. It’s a unique and interesting city, mostly visited for its landscapes and many, many vineyards, olive groves and hot springs. Mendoza is known worldwide for its Malbec (and you’ll get to taste plenty of it while you’re there) stunning mountains, and a completely different, laid-back side of Argentina that you don’t really get to experience in Patagonia.
How to Find Cheap Flights from Bariloche to Mendoza
Here’s where things get a bit bizarre – there are no direct flights from Bariloche to Mendoza! To me it doesn’t make sense as it’s quite a long way and it’s a popular route for travellers, but I guess it’s just not popular enough to warrant a nonstop flights service. If you want to fly, you need to connect through Buenos Aires (even though Buenos Aires is further from both destinations than they are from each other).
Despite the hassle of making a connection, flight prices aren’t terrible and the flight times are okay, too. You can find cheap flights starting around AR$100,000 (€50), making it a fairly reasonable option if you really want to avoid another epic bus journey. Although, these prices are with budget airlines which means you probably have to pay additional fees for your bag.
Including the Buenos Aires connection, the average flight time is roughly 6 hours – still significantly faster than taking the bus (even factoring waiting times and travel to and from the airport). Most popular airlines serving this route include Aerolineas Argentinas, JetSmart, and Flybondi. The flight distance for the combined route is approximately 1,800 kilometres.
To secure the best deals, I recommend checking Google Flights and comparing search results from different travel providers on the day of your search. Flight prices can vary significantly based on your travel dates and departure date. The cheapest month to fly is typically March through May, whilst peak season (December-February) sees the highest prices. Set up price alerts to track monthly average prices and catch the best price when it becomes available.
The earliest flight typically departs around 7am, while the latest flight leaves around 9pm. Round-trip flights are sometimes cheaper than one-way fares, so compare both options. Remember that without non-stop flights available, this route requires patience and planning, but it’s still the fastest route if you want to avoid the overnight bus.
Travelling from Bariloche to Mendoza by Bus
Taking the bus from Bariloche to Mendoza was how I made the trip, and it was how most other travellers that I met in Mendoza had arrived, too. Of course there are more ways to get from Bariloche to Mendoza that I’ll cover below, but this overnight bus route is the best way to make the journey for most backpackers. It takes 18 hours, which was actually a shorter ride for me compared to other journeys I’d made on my trip through South America.
Two most popular bus companies operate this route: AndesMar and Cata Internacional. A regular seat costs around AR$108,000 (€54), whilst the upgraded cama ejecutivo seat is only a little extra at AR$124,000 (€62). Honestly, I’d absolutely recommend splashing out for the upgrade – the extra comfort is completely worth it (I did the upgrade on all of my bus trips in Argentina, even the more expensive ones). This definitely gets you the best price for the level of comfort you receive.
Both bus companies have departure times around the same time in the afternoon (roughly 1pm) and arrive the following day at 7am. I actually think this schedule works brilliantly – you don’t lose a full day, and you arrive refreshed and ready to explore Mendoza (well, that depends on how well you sleep on the bus, but I slept pretty well in my big upgraded seat!). The earliest bus departure is typically around 1pm, making it convenient for most travellers.
Bus departures leave from the main airport area bus station in Bariloche, and you’ll arrive at the Mendoza bus terminal which is reasonably close to the city center. Mobile signal is very patchy on this route. On most intercity bus journeys I did lose signal every now and then, but on this route in particular I remember spending several hours at a time with absolutely no connection as we wound through genuine wilderness.
The scenery as you leave Patagonia is really stunning (although there wasn’t much to see after the sun set, of course). While long bus rides might feel like lost time, there’s actually a lot to see as Argentina’s dramatic landscape transforms from lakes and forests to rolling hills and deserts. This is definitely the shortest travel distance option in terms of actual kilometres covered, as you travel directly between the two cities.
How to survive the 18-hour bus ride from Bariloche to Mendoza
Upgrade your seat. I went for what locals call “cama ejecutivo” or some variation of these words. They’re the luxury, upgraded seats that I mentioned before, and they’re an absolute game changer for overnight travel. Regular seats are fine for shorter bus transportation rides (they’re similar to the seats you’d expect on coaches in Europe), but these upgraded seats are basically massive armchairs that recline almost flat. I wish I’d taken more pictures so I could show you properly! For just €8 extra on this route, it’s honestly a no-brainer and much more comfortable than first class on most airlines.
Embrace the journey mentally. Accept that this bus becomes your home for the night, and don’t spend the whole time wishing you could get off (even though you might). Fighting the duration will make it a miserable experience, so if you can just accept it for what it is you’ll end up much more comfortable. Load up on entertainment, practice some self-care, catch up on reading, and plan to sleep early. These night buses are designed for sleeping, so take advantage of it!
Pack a lot of food! You want a serious snack strategy for a bus ride of this length. This route makes zero stops (but luckily for everyone there was a fully functional onboard toilet), mainly because there are very few places to stop in the wilderness between Bariloche and Mendoza. By this stage of my trip, I’d become an expert in bus rides, so I packed everything: dinner, breakfast, and enough snacks to feed a small army.
Driving from Bariloche to Mendoza
Car rental in Argentina is generally safe, though I’d only recommend it for confident drivers who are comfortable adapting to local traffic culture. Interestingly, it’s quite uncommon for travellers to drive this particular section. I talked to many, many travellers in the hostels I stayed in around Argentina and did some research online before writing this article, of course!
Most people prefer renting cars locally in each final destination and using buses or planes for travelling between the two cities. Most of the drive itself after you leave Patagonia isn’t particularly scenic or interesting, and the vast emptiness means very limited services along the way. While it might seem like a scenic road trip, the reality is quite different from the dramatic landscapes you might expect.
FAQs About Travelling from Bariloche to Mendoza
How do I find cheap flights from Bariloche to Mendoza?
Since there are no direct flights, you’ll need to connect through Buenos Aires. Use Google Flights to compare search results and track current prices. The cheapest price is typically found by being flexible with your travel dates and booking during the cheapest month (March-May). Set up price alerts and check different route combinations to find the lowest price.
What’s the best way to travel from Bariloche to Mendoza?
The best way depends on your priorities. For budget-conscious travellers, the fastest bus with cama ejecutivo seats offers great value and comfort. For time-sensitive trips, flying via Buenos Aires is the fastest route despite requiring a connection. Most backpackers choose the overnight bus as it’s the most economical option.
How long does it take to get from Bariloche to Mendoza?
By bus, it’s 18 hours of direct bus transportation (longest travel time but most scenic). Flying takes approximately 6 hours total including connections (average flight time plus waiting time). The bus is actually the shortest travel distance in terms of actual kilometres, as flights route through Buenos Aires.
What are the bus companies for this route?
The most popular bus companies are AndesMar and Cata Internacional. Both offer similar departure times (around 1pm) and arrive the following day at 7am. I’d recommend booking cama ejecutivo seats for the extra comfort – it’s worth the small additional cost for such a long journey.
What is better, Bariloche or Mendoza?
Both destinations offer completely different experiences! In Bariloche you’ll find mountain adventures, lots of chocolate, and Alpine houses with much cooler weather (although that depends on what time of year you go). In Mendoza you’ll find wine tourism, deserts, and warmer climates. Both places deserve to be on any Argentina itinerary, so go to both if at all possible!
Is it worth going to Mendoza, Argentina?
Absolutely! Mendoza is a world-class destination with incredible vineyards, stunning mountains, and lots of things to do. It’s perfect for wine lovers, especially for those seeking luxury travel experiences, as well as anyone wanting to explore Argentina beyond the typical tourist trail.
Conclusion
Your journey from Bariloche to Mendoza goes through one of Argentina’s most dramatic regional transitions – through the Patagonian wilderness, through to the desert and wine region. While the 18-hour bus adventure is memorable, budget-friendly, and definitely not as uncomfortable as you might imagine, the route choice depends entirely on your travel style and schedule. Time-conscious travellers might prefer to fly despite the longest travel time due to connections and the hassle of routing through Buenos Aires. For the best deals, book your bus transportation with cama ejecutivo seats well in advance, or use Google Flights to track flight prices if you prefer to fly.
