have airfares really gone up this much?

[bonniejoy03]

Santiago airport is fine and is quite easy to manage. We had considered the bus but for the cost of tickets, we will fly. K & O-just checking with you. We have paid the Chile fee but not the Argentina fee. I didn't think we needed to pay if we fly into Mendoza only Buenos Aires??

[kyshel]

According to my sources, Mendoza does not collect any fees coming from SLC. There are not supposed to be any arrival taxes collected for any ground arrivals either (Chile to Arg) I understand the only place they collect arrival tax in Argentina is EZE when flying from US and US citizen. (not sure about the port at BsAs)

The only way to get confirmed info is email from Consulate and take it with you.

Hard to believe the bus is only 4 hours to Mendoza (I think it must be longer)and the flight is 2 hrs.
Do you know, O?

[omegaet]

According to my sources, Mendoza does not collect any fees coming from SLC. There are not supposed to be any arrival taxes collected for any ground arrivals either (Chile to Arg) I understand the only place they collect arrival tax in Argentina is EZE when flying from US and US citizen. (not sure about the port at BsAs)

The only way to get confirmed info is email from Consulate and take it with you.

Hard to believe the bus is only 4 hours to Mendoza (I think it must be longer)and the flight is 2 hrs.
Do you know, O?

Bus transit time between Santiago and Mendoza is more like 6 to ten hours, depending on weather and delays at border crossings (this can take 2 to 4 hours, if the bus traffic gets too congested). No interest in every taking that bus ride again!

Flights between SCL & MDZ take from 55 minutes to one hour and 20 minutes....depending on weather, air traffic congestion, etc., etc.

We "always" have cash in our pockets when crossing border points between Argentina and Chile (usually have a $20US folded, but visible in our passport covers along with our updated shot records).

[kyshel]

I was just citing piranha's 2 hour bus ride timing he mentioned--I would have certainly thought way more--thanks for the info.
I dislike the $20 bribery--it encourages extortion. (even tho it's a good idea to have handy as last resort) I don't like the expectation and signal it gives for the poor sucker behind you who didn't have his $ out to bride an officail to do nada...

[bonniejoy03]

I called the consulate. It is only paid at both Buenos Aires airports (EZE and the Newbury? location.) It is not to be collected at Mendoza airport when flying in from Santiago. That's the story and the correct information.

[kyshel]

Thanks for doing the final legwork, B!!! Jorge Newberry is the other airport for the city.
Are you spending significant time in BsAs?

[omegaet]

I was just citing piranha's 2 hour bus ride timing he mentioned--I would have certainly thought way more--thanks for the info.
I dislike the $20 bribery--it encourages extortion. (even tho it's a good idea to have handy as last resort) I don't like the expectation and signal it gives for the poor sucker behind you who didn't have his $ out to bride an officail to do nada...

IMO...$140 from US Citizens entering Argentina through EZE could be construed as 'extortion'....I feel the same about the $135 charged by Bolivia to US Citizen and collected at all border crossings.

On the other hand, I have no problems tucking a folded $20 into the back of my passport holder, along with other documents when I present it to border official. If the $20 is missing when the passport is stamped and returned and my crossing is expedited, I have no complaints.

Bribe?

Seems like a harsh assessment!

If others don't mind be delayed at remote border crossings between Argentina and Chile or Peru and Bolivia, then so be it.

I prefer not to spend two or three hours while officials rifle bags to earn their meager incomes.

[kyshel]

But it IS a bribe to get service that hasn't been rendered [until you get that stamp] I realize you do it to avoid waiting like some poor student who doesn't have an extra $20 to get thru, so you're paying a bride to expedite. I agree that's a harsh term but IMHO it is what it is. You are contributing to a problem.
Have you ever gotten your PP and docs back with the bribe?
Regarding the $140--it's a reciprocal situation--we charge that amount for their citzens to come to the US on a visa. Quite a different matter. Brasil started it many years ago as a visa with limited access but not 10 yrs/life of passport/multiple entry like Arg, Bol, Chl. I think that's quite fair and hardly what I'd view as anything but reciprocal (Brasil, on the other hand seems quite retaliatory!)

Personal view, if you don't want to pay "required" fees, don't go. If you skirt laws and feed an extortion racket, it will never end.

[kapper]

omegaet & kyshel, I can see the 'pros' and 'cons' of using the $20 and not using the $20. Have you ever had the passport returned with the money in place?

I know when driving the back roads of Jamaica, random police stops are frequently made on tourists in rented cars. Folded money inside a passport typically shortens the stop and allows the journey to continue. I seriously doubt, omegaet, your ceasing to include a folded bill in your passport cover will improve the plight of any poor under funded student.

As for the foreign country entry fees, just pay them without complaints, if you chose to visit!

I hesitate to think of the number of advance gratuities my husband uses to get tables at restaurants, seats at shows in Vegas, priority service on his automobile, etc.

[omegaet]

omegaet & kyshel, I can see the 'pros' and 'cons' of using the $20 and not using the $20. Have you ever had the passport returned with the money in place?

I know when driving the back roads of Jamaica, random police stops are frequently made on tourists in rented cars. Folded money inside a passport typically shortens the stop and allows the journey to continue. I seriously doubt, omegaet, your ceasing to include a folded bill in your passport cover will improve the plight of any poor under funded student.

As for the foreign country entry fees, just pay them without complaints, if you chose to visit!

I hesitate to think of the number of advance gratuities my husband uses to get tables at restaurants, seats at shows in Vegas, priority service on his automobile, etc.

kapper....no more discussions, at least from me. kyshel and I have an agreement to disagree on this topic.

No hard feelings, we just disagree on the best approach!

Happy travels!

p.s.....never had the folded bills returned with my passport and other documents and never been detained, handcuffed, put into an interrogation room or waterboarded....at least not yet!