Dublin to Argentina for £275 Return [Threads Merged]

MagicMarker

What if you miss a leg because of a late connecting flight?

SNNUS

If your connecting flight is late the Airline will re route you to your destination and will get you there as it is their responsibility as it is all one ticket like we have booked here through logitravel. If you missed the connection in Frankfurt it is up to Lufthansa to get you to BA. This happens all the time so it is normal.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

C2911

I'm struggling to find affordable travel within Argentina.

I've ruled out Patagonia as I'm going between April 23rd and the 7th May, which I understand is out of season. I could fly to Chile for less than I could to the likes of Salta, Mendoza or Iguazu.

How many days would people recommend for Salta / Cafayate etc.

C2911

I think my main problem is that while I'd love to do Iguazu Falls it's so far out of the way and so expensive to get to if I want to take in the north west as well (which I definitely do - it seems to have the most appeal out of anywhere and April / May seems like the perfect time to go there).

Right now I'm thinking of just splitting my time between Buenos Aires and Salta. I meant to post the 5th up there ^ but I can't edit my posts for some reason.

So:

23rd - Buenos Aires
24th - Buenos Aires
25th - Buenos Aires
26th - Colonia, Uruguay day trip
27th - Fly to Salta
28th - Salta (and surrounding area)
29th - Salta (and surrounding area)
30th - Salta (and surrounding area)
1st -Fly to Buenos Aires

I have three further nights to use. Any suggestions?

acquiescefc

Not expired. See a couple of options just putting April in.

RIALTO1

pete_fire wrote: »

youre right mate.
i sent secret flying a message letting them know and theyve now unexpired their post

Huh?

acquiescefc

pete_fire wrote: »

secret flying...the website that found the error fare.
see the 1st post of the thread.

its ok i understood ya :cool:

RIALTO1

pete_fire wrote: »

secret flying...the website that found the error fare.
see the 1st post of the thread.

Yeah sorry, mis-read it. Thought you meant they had expired it on here.

jay0109

C2911 wrote: »

I think my main problem is that while I'd love to do Iguazu Falls it's so far out of the way and so expensive to get to if I want to take in the north west as well (which I definitely do - it seems to have the most appeal out of anywhere and April / May seems like the perfect time to go there).

Right now I'm thinking of just splitting my time between Buenos Aires and Salta. I meant to post the 5th up there ^ but I can't edit my posts for some reason.

So:

23rd - Buenos Aires
24th - Buenos Aires
25th - Buenos Aires
26th - Colonia, Uruguay day trip
27th - Fly to Salta
28th - Salta (and surrounding area)
29th - Salta (and surrounding area)
30th - Salta (and surrounding area)
1st -Fly to Buenos Aires

I have three further nights to use. Any suggestions?

Don't miss Patagonia....fly to El Calafate> Glaciers, trekking (El Chalten). A must

pete_fire

mc3ac wrote: »

Tried to book this Dublin-Argentina this evening. Got to booking page and was then after a couple of mins it told me to call Logitravel. They're closed so asked on Secret Flying's Facebook page why it didn't accept my payment, no response. They deleted my comment so I posted again and this time I got no response and they blocked me from making any comment which further my belief that it's a scam. If they can't answer questions and prevent people from making constructive comments, one has to question whether it is a scam or not. Just beware people!

so bored of these scam assumptions.

dont blame them one bit for banning you.
you go screaming scam on their facebook page when tons of people have successfully booked a ticket including myself.

you got what you deserve mate

acquiescefc

mc3ac wrote: »

Tried to book this Dublin-Argentina this evening. Got to booking page and was then after a couple of mins it told me to call Logitravel. They're closed so asked on Secret Flying's Facebook page why it didn't accept my payment, no response. They deleted my comment so I posted again and this time I got no response and they blocked me from making any comment which further my belief that it's a scam. If they can't answer questions and prevent people from making constructive comments, one has to question whether it is a scam or not. Just beware people!

25 page thread and we find out now it was all a scam. bombshell :eek::eek::eek:

pete_fire

acquiescefc wrote: »

25 page thread and we find out now it was all a scam. bombshell :eek::eek::eek:

LOOOOOL

SNNUS

pete_fire wrote: »

so bored of these scam assumptions.

dont blame them one bit for banning you.
you go screaming scam on their facebook page when tons of people have successfully booked a ticket including myself.

you got what you deserve mate

I agree, how was the booking process anything to do with sectetflying.com, they are there to advise the public on great fares which is great, they are not a travel agent and they don't need stupid comments on their page because someone cannot book a flight or indeed contact the travel agents as advised...

up-&-at-dem

For those worried about the high cost of internal flights, best to pay for these flights while in Argentina using Peso purchased on the 'Blue Market'

For eg: a random BA to El Calafate return flight on Skyscanner is showing as $3423 ARS
Paying now, coverted to Euro thats €337 (1 Eur = 10.1 ARS roughly)

However if you convert your Euro to Peso while in Argentina using the blue market rate
the flight costing $3423 will cost €238 (1 Eur = 14.3 ARS)

Only question now is if the flight would actually cost the same in Peso while purchasing in Argentina or if they accept cash as payment method in travel agents etc

Magico Gonzalez

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

That was true about 10 years ago, but honesty I do it once a month here without issue.

Head for a street called "Florida" and listen out for the lads saying "change, cambio, change"

You won't have a problem. The volume of these transactions has increased notably and if someone passed fake bills they'd be out of business pretty quickly.

For a variety of reasons, it's not just tourists who use these guys.

Magico Gonzalez

up-&-at-dem wrote: »

For those worried about the high cost of internal flights, best to pay for these flights while in Argentina using Peso purchased on the 'Blue Market'

For eg: a random BA to El Calafate return flight on Skyscanner is showing as $3423 ARS
Paying now, coverted to Euro thats €337 (1 Eur = 10.1 ARS roughly)

However if you convert your Euro to Peso while in Argentina using the blue market rate
the flight costing $3423 will cost €238 (1 Eur = 14.3 ARS)

Only question now is if the flight would actually cost the same in Peso while purchasing in Argentina or if they accept cash as payment method in travel agents etc

There is one Aerolineas Argentinas building in the city centre which accepts cash, it's the only one. Can't remember the address but it's near my office so if anyone needs it nearer the time PM me.

Bring USD, sell them on calle "Florida" and then head over with the cash to the AA ticket office.

Accepting cash in bulk here only happens with on premises security guards.

Magico Gonzalez

C2911 wrote: »

I think my main problem is that while I'd love to do Iguazu Falls it's so far out of the way and so expensive to get to if I want to take in the north west as well (which I definitely do - it seems to have the most appeal out of anywhere and April / May seems like the perfect time to go there).

Right now I'm thinking of just splitting my time between Buenos Aires and Salta. I meant to post the 5th up there ^ but I can't edit my posts for some reason.

So:

23rd - Buenos Aires
24th - Buenos Aires
25th - Buenos Aires
26th - Colonia, Uruguay day trip
27th - Fly to Salta
28th - Salta (and surrounding area)
29th - Salta (and surrounding area)
30th - Salta (and surrounding area)
1st -Fly to Buenos Aires

I have three further nights to use. Any suggestions?

What month are you here? I'd be tempted to go to Mendoza from Salta but it depends on what month (weather etc).

Argentina outside of BA is very seasonal, the vast majority of tourism is still internal (Arg peso is v devalued so buying foreign currency to travel is expensive) so off season you will find certain tourist locations to be fairly quiet.

notreve

Magico,

Are they willing to accept Euro notes just as readily as US dollars on "blue market"

Magico Gonzalez

notreve wrote: »

Magico,

Are they willing to accept Euro notes just as readily as US dollars on "blue market"

Yes, they'll accept euros, US Dollars and Brazilians Reals.

That said, bring dollars because you get more pesos for them.

100 euros buys you around 1400 pesos "blue" as opposed to something like 1000 to 1100 officially.

If you buy dollars you'd have 118 USD for your 100eu.

Blue rate for dollars today isn't far off the euro rate, something like 13.8, so 118 * 13.8 = 1628.

You're up over 200 pesos.

I will say that the blue rate is very unstable, up and down like a yo-yo. You can check on ambito.com as to what they current rate is, they show it on the front page, look for dolar paralelo. Do the calculations in terms of euros and dollars and see what suits you best.

note, not sure about euros, but they strongly prefer 50 notes and above. I would buy a round number of UDS...500, 600 etc.

up-&-at-dem

You can use azimo.com to send your euro to argentina in exchange for Peso

You send them a Euro bank transfer and then pick up your Peso at a cash point in the city

they are giving a rate of 1 Eur - 14.37 ARS

Might be a safer option than going to the street sellers to exchange

C2911

Magico Gonzalez wrote: »

What month are you here? I'd be tempted to go to Mendoza from Salta but it depends on what month (weather etc).

Argentina outside of BA is very seasonal, the vast majority of tourism is still internal (Arg peso is v devalued so buying foreign currency to travel is expensive) so off season you will find certain tourist locations to be fairly quiet.

I arrive in Buenos Aires on the 23rd April and leave on the 5th May.

Magico Gonzalez

up-&-at-dem wrote: »

You can use azimo.com to send your euro to argentina in exchange for Peso

You send them a Euro bank transfer and then pick up your Peso at a cash point in the city

they are giving a rate of 1 Eur - 14.37 ARS

Might be a safer option than going to the street sellers to exchange

Thats a good rate, but again you will have no safety issues changing money at the blue rate. Happens in a small office off street, totally safe. I think they charge 4% when you pick up your cash w/ Azimo.

Magico Gonzalez

C2911 wrote: »

I arrive in Buenos Aires on the 23rd April and leave on the 5th May.

will be pretty fresh, cold even at night in Salta and Mendoza. BA will be autumnal, 15 to low 20s.

islanderre

Evening all,

I booked this deal too a while back when I seen it mentioned on Bargain Alerts so thanks allot OP.

Anyway I fly out on the 22nd April and back on the 06th May..... travelling on my own too so have two full weeks in Argentina to fill.... suggestions welcome!!!!!!

Contemplating flying to Lima to pick up a weeks tour to Machu Picchu and Cuzco........ something like first two full days in B.A then fly to Lima, join a tour to Machu Picchu and Cuzco for a week and finally back to B.A for the remaining 2-3 days prior to flying back home.Any thought on this??

Have always wanted to do Machu Picchu so this seems like a perfect opportunity.

Cheers,

Islanderre

MagicMarker

Just checked there re Machu Picchu, there doesn't seem to be any direct flights from BA to Cusco? That would be me off anyway...

MagicMarker

El Calafate is looking like a very good option to me...

C2911

MagicMarker wrote: »

El Calafate is looking like a very good option to me...

That and El Chalten look good. They're just so damn expensive to get to.

islanderre

MagicMarker wrote: »

Just checked there re Machu Picchu, there doesn't seem to be any direct flights from BA to Cusco? That would be me off anyway...

The intention would be to fly to Lima and pick up a tour there.....
Will decide early February...

Monkeyjoe

Has anyone else had a cancellation?
I could log into the Lufthansa site until last night. This morning an email from Logitravel with the refund... now when I try the Lufthansa site it cant find the booking.

Will ring them tomorrow I guess

---

Thank you for using Logitravel.

Unfortunately your booking has not been confirmed due to a technical error with the Airline which occured at the time of booking. It is out of our reach the availability shown on our website by the Airlines as we are conected to the via their reservation system.

We have proceeded to refund the total cost of the booking. If you are still interested in making a booking you can do so via the website.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope you visit Logitravel for your next booking.

MagicMarker

No, not yet anyway.

ninebeanrows

I sense this thread has a while to run yet !!

JaMarcusHustle

Monkeyjoe wrote: »

---

Thank you for using Logitravel.

Unfortunately your booking has not been confirmed due to a technical error with the Airline which occured at the time of booking. It is out of our reach the availability shown on our website by the Airlines as we are conected to the via their reservation system.

We have proceeded to refund the total cost of the booking. If you are still interested in making a booking you can do so via the website.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope you visit Logitravel for your next booking.

Too many spelling and grammatical errors for that to be legit.

islanderre

I booked mine on "go to gate" and just checked the booking on Lufthansa site and all looks normal in that it's still valid

Monkeyjoe

islanderre wrote: »

I booked mine on "go to gate" and just checked the booking on Lufthansa site and all looks normal in that it's still valid

I think I will try Gotogate although their reviews are horrendous!

MagicMarker

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

Too many spelling and grammatical errors for that to be legit.

Which means what exactly? Some companies still use people to write emails, so it's not always going to be grammatically flawless.

charlie_says

I'm confident that this isn't a scam it's just a mistake. Feck it if it doesn't work I'm off to the Canary Islands for some cheap diving so I'll be fine anyway

Fingers crossed.

notuslimited

I rang Lufthansa Reservations today and asked about pre-assigning seats. The lady on the other end checked the booking and said that I would have to contact Aerolineas Argentinas as it was them who issued the ticket. She said most likely that they may be unable to assign seats given that it was an Lufty flight and said that I would probably only get my seat at checkin 23 hours prior to departure. She did not bat an eyelid so to speak regarding the booking.

notreve

thanks magico,

that is some real good info to have

blue market can also be followed on lanacion.com.ar

on another subject, is the metro/subte a good way to get around city? or does bus transportation offer more?

C2911

Looking at it I think if I was going to go to El Chalten in late April I'd need to find a hiking buddy. Not sure I fancy going trekking solo at that time of the year.

jay0109

C2911 wrote: »

Looking at it I think if I was going to go to El Chalten in late April I'd need to find a hiking buddy. Not sure I fancy going trekking solo at that time of the year.

I went there in late September so there was still some snow on lower ground, and a bit more the higher up you went. But for the 2 days we were there, some of the best hiking I've ever undertaken....washed down with super big steaks and beer for under €10!
Maybe we got lucky with the weather, but if I was you I'd chance it in April

C2911

I think it's finally expired.

When I search my dates they all come out at over £500 now.

C2911

I think it's finally expired.

When I search my dates they all come out at over £500 now.

EDIT: Or not. Dublin still seems to have flights available.

MagicMarker

So has only one person had their flights cancelled then? That seems odd?

Magico Gonzalez

notreve wrote: »

thanks magico,

that is some real good info to have

blue market can also be followed on lanacion.com.ar

on another subject, is the metro/subte a good way to get around city? or does bus transportation offer more?

subte is good although the network isnt huge, bus network has great coverage. Taxis are pretty cheap for the Irish pocket! A really really pricey cab (in the city) would be around 100 pesos...7 to 8euros. I'd be tempted to use those. Palermo has a lot of the good bars and restaurants, but the subway only touches the perimeter.

Addresses are little US. Give the street and the street the crosses it as all streets are in grid format. Florida y Lavalle for example.

Or me, its not a place to wing it, look at guides that you like (timeout ba maybe) and pick places to go. Get the address and get a cab there...saves you faffing about.

charlie_says

Looking like the Euro is seriously valuable on this blue dollar market!

http://www.dolarblue.net/

Check out the price on this daily updated blue dollar site (the euro is EURO BLUE).

Totally bringing a wad.

Also I'm narrowing my travel plans down a bit, only two weeks to play with, to a preliminary plan:

1. BA for a few days/nights, first priority is cheap pesos, then steak and then beer. If I can do all at the same time and place then I will post GPS location :pac: Haven't decided on going cross border to Uruguay yet as I'm not sure it's worth seeing just for a day or night as the ferry is dear.
2. Probably a plane down to either Trelew or Puerto Madyrn from BA. My plan is to pay in cheap pesos at the Aerolíneas Argentinas office in BA to save 50% on the flight rather than booking with greasy gringo dollars.
3. Once I have arrived I plan to go SCUBA diving with the sea lions around the Penisula Valdes and any other decent diving if I can.
4. Then I want to do a 3 day river kayaking and camping trip along the Rio Chubut with this crowd or someone or something similar.
5. Things start to get a bit sketchy at this point. I think I will somehow get my arse over to Esquel way over 600km to the West near the Chilean border. I want to check out the nearby Parque Nacional los Alerces with it's glacier (apparently not crowded with tourists) and trekking, maybe a bit of horse riding too.
6. Back to Puerto Madyrn and stay there for one night.
7. Super long bus journey back to BA, possible stop off somewhere for a look but haven't got that far yet.

Still a work in progress. I can't justify going North to the Iguazu falls from BA as it's just to far if I want to go South to Patagonia, which is my main draw.

Having great fun researching. :):):)

Thanks again OP!

charlie_says

Apparently you can buy internal Aerolineas Argentina flights for peso (way cheaper) at these two offices in Buenos Aires:

Perú 2 , just off Florida
Cabildo 2900

Source

Also in many travel agents cat cash is fine too

C2911

Anyone else tempted to use Azimo and pick up the pesos in Argentina? Or does anyone have any experience using them?

There seems to be a rate of 18 pesos to the pound on there.

notreve

I registered with Azimo, they appear to be reputable

no fees/charges on pickup at the other side, small fee when doing the transfer if using your credit card, no extra charges if you transfer via visa debit or electronically from bank account

Im seriously considering using them plus taking euro and US dollar bundles for the sky blue market..... haha

acquiescefc

notreve wrote: »

I registered with Azimo, they appear to be reputable

no fees/charges on pickup at the other side, small fee when doing the transfer if using your credit card, no extra charges if you transfer via visa debit or electronically from bank account

Im seriously considering using them plus taking euro and US dollar bundles for the sky blue market..... haha

Definitely think ill be doing this. Looks very straight forward/safe.
Quick google and found if you use promo code FREE it takes off the €5 fee.