How to Get to Mendoza: El Plumerillo Airport (MDZ), Andes Highway & Metrotranvía

Positioned at the foot of the central Andes along the primary bioceanic corridor linking the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America, Mendoza is easily reached by direct flights from Buenos Aires, Santiago, and São Paulo, or via one of the most dramatic mountain highways on Earth.

1. By Air: Governor Francisco Gabrielli "El Plumerillo" International Airport (MDZ)

• Direct Domestic & International Flights: Located just eight kilometres (15 to 20 minutes by taxi) north-east of Plaza Independencia in the department of Las Heras, El Plumerillo International Airport (IATA: MDZ) receives frequent daily flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE) (1 hour 50 minutes on Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSMART), as well as direct domestic links with Córdoba, San Carlos de Bariloche, Salta, and Neuquén. Internationally, direct flights cross the Andes from Santiago de Chile (SCL, 50 minutes), delivering unforgettable window-seat views of Aconcagua and Tupungato, alongside direct services from São Paulo (GRU), Lima (LIM), and Panama City (PTY).
• Airport Transfers into Downtown Mendoza: Licensed airport taxis (remises), ride-hailing apps, and municipal Mendotran bus routes connect the arrivals curb with the five-plaza centre and Quinta Sección in under twenty minutes.

2. By Road Across the Andes from Santiago de Chile & Long-Distance Coaches

• Crossing the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores (Ruta Nacional 7 / CH-60): Connecting Mendoza with Santiago across 360 kilometres (roughly 6.5 to 8 hours including joint border customs at Horcones/Los Libertadores), this fully paved mountain highway climbs past Potrerillos Dam and Aconcagua Provincial Park to cross the 3,175-metre Cristo Redentor tunnel before descending Chile's famous 29 hairpin bends (Los Caracoles). Always book a daytime departure and a front-row upper-deck seat (panorámico) on coaches departing from the Terminal de Ómnibus de Mendoza (just east of the downtown core across the Guaymallén canal). In winter (June to August), heavy snowfalls occasionally close the pass for a day or two; check official border status before travelling.
• Getting Around Mendoza & the Wine Roads (SUBE Card & Private Drivers): Within the city, Argentina's contactless SUBE card works on all Mendotran buses and the electric Metrotranvía light rail, which runs from Las Heras through downtown Mendoza (Belgrano and Pedro Molina stations) all the way south to Godoy Cruz and Gutiérrez in Maipú. For winery days in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, book a private driver (remis) or guided wine transfer so nobody in your group has to worry about driving between tastings.