Liability insurance is mandatory if you intend to drive in Argentina, so be sure that you are covered before signing any rental contracts. Also, Argentine law requires that all cars always carry the following items: warning triangles, a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit. If the rental agency does not provide them, then you are responsible for acquiring them yourself.
Most rental agencies do not offer unlimited daily mileage, so if you wish to rent a car in Argentina and are on a budget, you may wish to try the agency Facil rent a car, which offers an option for unlimited daily mileage. The maximum is usually about 200 km per day (about 124 miles), which is especially helpful if you plan on exploring the vast southern Patagonia region or the Andean mountain range in the west.
When vacationing in Argentina, you should know that cars with automatic transmissions are uncommon there. This is true of rentals as well, which means you may have to pay more for an automatic if you are unfamiliar with a manual transmission. That said, most of the American rental companies should have a supply of automatic cars, so your search should start with them first.
If you intend to travel across the borders to Brazil or Chile in a rental car, you should notify your rental agency in advance because there may be additional fees that could affect your travel plans. You may also need to show other documentation at border checkpoints, and you should always make sure that you are carrying all of your paperwork with you, including your passport, driver’s license and rental contract.
25% of our users found rental cars in Argentina for $237 or less
Book your rental car in Argentina at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about hiring a car in Argentina
Mini (Volkswagen up! or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Argentina.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Argentina are Cordoba (27% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Argentina), Puerto Madryn (18%) and Neuquén (9%).
Although you only need a valid driver’s license from the US, it is still advisable to secure an international driver’s permit, which will allow you to drive across international borders should you decide to add some spontaneous road adventures to your travel itinerary. Argentineans drive on the right side of the road, and the law requires that you wear seatbelts in rental cars.
You will need to be at least 21 to rent a car in Argentina, and you will need to have possessed your license for at least a year. Some agencies like Avis will allow rentals to individuals up to age 75. However, you should be aware that most companies will apply a "young drivers surcharge" for those between 21 and 24, so doing some research online is prudent if you’d like to get the best deals.
Petrol prices in Argentina tend to be reasonable compared to prices in the United States. The average price per gallon is about 3.60 USD and about 43 ARS (0.95 USD) per liter. Diesel prices are even cheaper, so if you need to rent a car in Argentina, a vehicle with a diesel engine is not a bad option to consider.
The usual speed limit within city zones is 60 km/h (37 mph) and between 100 km/h and 130 km/h (62-80 mph) on highways and expressways outside the city. Driving laws involving alcohol are strictly enforced, and there are plenty of speed checks, so you should exercise due caution when you are on the roads, especially when driving at night.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.