Getting Around Neuquén
Neuquén sits at the confluence of the Limay and Neuquén rivers, in the heart of the Alto Valle del Río Negro, and forms part of a larger urban area that also takes in Plottier and Cipolletti. For a visitor, that geography matters: some of the places you may want to reach sit just outside the city proper, and the transport network is built around those connections.
Orientation and Main Roads
National Route 22 (RN22) is the main road linking Neuquén with the rest of Argentina. Since 2021 it has run east–west north of the city center through the Parque Industrial area, mostly as a four-lane motorway, connecting the city with Bahía Blanca and the Atlantic coast to the east and with Temuco in Chile, San Carlos de Bariloche and Zapala to the west and south-west.
The former RN22, now called Avenida General Mosconi, is a wide fast-transit avenue running east–west through the southern part of the city center and effectively divides the city into two halves. Knowing which side of this avenue your destination lies on will help you plan any trip across town.
Rail: The Tren del Valle
Neuquén has a commuter rail service, the Tren del Valle, which links the city with the neighbouring towns of Cipolletti and Plottier. This is the practical rail option for visitors moving between Neuquén and those adjacent communities. Freight trains also run to Bahía Blanca and Zapala, but these are not passenger services.
Beyond the Tren del Valle, there is no metro or tram network in Neuquén. For getting around within the city itself, buses, taxis and walking are the realistic choices.
Buses and Public Transport
Local transport consists of 30 bus lines connecting most areas of the city, including Plottier and Las Perlas. The network is run by the bus companies Ko-Ko and Empresa Tigre Iguazú. In practice, this means the bus is the main way to reach neighbourhoods across the city and to cross into the neighbouring communities that form part of the wider urban area.
In addition to the local lines, several suburban lines connect the city with other cities and towns in the wider metro area, such as Cipolletti, Centenario, Senillosa, General Roca and Villa Regina. If your plans extend beyond Neuquén into the Alto Valle, these suburban services are the ones to look for.
For longer journeys into Patagonia and beyond, long-distance buses are a common way to travel in Argentina. They take considerably longer than flying but can be much cheaper — for example, the trip from Buenos Aires to Neuquén takes about 16 hours by bus, compared with about two hours by plane. It is recommended to buy long-distance tickets two or three days ahead at least, to get a better price. In summer, buses are often full, so booking some days in advance is wise, especially around Christmas, New Year, mid-January and the end of January.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material for Neuquén does not describe a taxi or ride-hailing market in detail. As in most Argentine cities of this size, taxis and app-based ride services are generally available for point-to-point trips, and they are a convenient option for short journeys, for arriving after dark, or for reaching places that bus lines do not serve directly. Treat them as a complement to the bus network rather than a replacement for it.
Walking
Neuquén is a compact city in its central area, and walking is a practical way to cover the center, particularly around the avenues and the riverside. Avenida General Mosconi is a wide, fast-moving avenue rather than a pedestrian street, so crossing it deserves care. The city has an arid climate with moderately strong winds throughout the year, most often from the west and south-west, and summer tends to be windier than winter. Sunshine hours are long in summer and short in winter, so plan walks accordingly and carry water in the hotter months.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Presidente Perón Airport (NQN) is located west of the city center, near the boundary with Plottier, and serves regular flights to Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Salta, Mendoza, Comodoro Rivadavia and San Martín de los Andes. Along with Bariloche, it is one of the biggest airports in the Patagonia region.
Because the airport sits on the western side of the city toward Plottier, the Tren del Valle corridor toward Plottier and the suburban and local bus lines serving that direction are the relevant public transport context for the area. For a straightforward arrival, a taxi or ride-hailing service from the airport into the center is the simplest option, particularly if you are carrying luggage or arriving outside daylight hours.
Practical Tips
- The bus network is the backbone of local travel — 30 lines covering most of the city, including Plottier and Las Perlas.
- Use suburban bus lines for Cipolletti, Centenario, Senillosa, General Roca and Villa Regina.
- Use the Tren del Valle for Cipolletti and Plottier; there is no metro or tram in the city.
- Book long-distance buses at least two or three days ahead for better prices, and earlier in summer and around the Christmas and New Year period.
- Expect wind year-round and strong sun in summer; the climate is arid with low rainfall spread fairly evenly through the year.
- Note that Avenida General Mosconi divides the city center into two halves — check which side your destination is on before setting out.