Flights to Argentina from the UK

Why fly to Argentina?

Argentina is one of only a handful of South American destinations BA still flies non-stop from the UK — book early because the three weekly BA frequencies sell out fast. Going via Madrid on Iberia (often cheapest) typically costs £600–£800 return; the BA direct usually £700–£950.

Flights from UK airports to Argentina

No daily UK direct flights — BA runs three a week to Buenos Aires from Heathrow, otherwise fly via Madrid (Iberia), Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam.

Top destinations and flight times from London

Buenos Aires (EZE)13h 45m via Madrid from London

Airlines flying to Argentina

British AirwaysLHR–EZE direct (3x weekly)

IberiaLHR/MAD–EZE

Air FranceLHR–CDG–EZE

LufthansaLHR–FRA–EZE

KLMLHR–AMS–EZE

Practical info for UK travellers

Visa (UK passport)	No visa needed for UK passport holders for stays up to 90 days.
Currency	Argentine peso (ARS). High inflation makes bringing US dollars and changing locally a common play; major hotels accept cards.
Time zone	ART (UTC−3) — three hours behind the UK in winter, four hours behind during BST.
Language	Spanish (Rioplatense dialect — distinctive sh sound for ll/y). English in tourist hotels and Buenos Aires hotspots; basic Spanish helps elsewhere.
Plug type	Type C and I (some Type B in older buildings). UK adaptor required.
Best months	Nov–March (Argentine summer). November and March are the value sweet spots; January/February peak prices in Patagonia and the Andean lakes.
Flight times from UK	Buenos Aires (EZE) 13h 45m via Madrid

Argentina flights — frequently asked

Can I fly direct from the UK to Argentina?

Yes, but only with British Airways three days a week from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires Ezeiza. All other UK departures connect via Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam.

How long is the flight from London to Buenos Aires?

Direct London–Buenos Aires is around 13h 45m. Connecting flights via Madrid add 2–4 hours including layover. Argentina is one of the longer single-leg flights flown out of the UK.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Argentina?

November and March, immediately outside Argentine peak summer. Avoid Christmas–New Year and the second half of January when fares spike for Patagonia and Bariloche traffic.

Do I need US dollars in Argentina?

Helpful but not essential. The unofficial dollar rate ("dólar blue") gets you 30–50% more pesos than card payments. Major hotels and chains accept Visa/Mastercard at official rates.

Is Argentina safe for British tourists?

Buenos Aires is broadly safe in tourist barrios (Palermo, Recoleta, Puerto Madero). Petty theft is the main risk — stay alert on public transport. Outside the capital it is markedly safer.

Argentina by the numbers

Argentina rewards UK travellers prepared for the practical quirks — particularly inflation, cash-versus-card economics, and the long flight times.

Time zoneART (UTC−3) year-round, no daylight saving. The UK is four hours ahead in summer, three in winter.

PopulationAbout 47 million. Buenos Aires metro alone holds roughly 16 million — almost twice London's metropolitan population.

Best seasonOctober to April is the Southern Hemisphere's spring and summer. Patagonia is realistically only open November through March.

CurrencyPeso (ARS) — high inflation distorts prices weekly. Bring USD cash; the unofficial 'blue dollar' rate is meaningfully better than card payment.

PlugType C and Type I, 220V. Most hostels and hotels have both; cheap universal adapters are sold at any kiosk in Buenos Aires.

Flight timeEZE from London Heathrow runs around 13h 30m direct on British Airways, or 14–17h with one stop via Madrid, São Paulo or Rome.

DrivingRight-hand drive. Inter-city buses are excellent and often cheaper than internal flights for distances under 1,000km.

VisaUK passport holders get 90 days visa-free on arrival. Passport must be valid for the duration of stay.