Do I need a return flight for all airlines to go to Argentina?
I am planning to travel through Latin America from the beginning of November onward. My first destination would be Buenos Aires. However, it seems most airlines need you to get a return flight so as to prove you will be staying no more than your visa allows you too. This is inconvenient as I will probably continue my travels by bus. Would a bus ticket suffice to show I will leave Argentina within 3 months? Is it possible to buy a one-way ticket and not run into problems travelling there?
Best Answer
In general, from all my travels, it has been very inconsistent. It varies from airline to airline and country to country. I don’t have an answer to your question, but have some alternative solutions.
Though your inquiry about a bus ticket is something I haven't investigated as it is not always easy to get a bus ticket over the internet in many countries. If you go that route specifically for BA, you could also do a ferry ticket to Uruguay. That I have gotten emailed before.
If one wanted to be safe and did not have set travel plans, typically, it was that one buys the expensive refundable airline ticket for onward or return travel - then goes to get a refund. There is a new service that was recently introduced which will let you "rent" a ticket for a small fee for 48 hours - FlyOnward. This may be another option for you.
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Do you need a return ticket to enter Argentina?
A return ticket is a standard requirement for tourists. Passengers waiting for international connection flights and not staying for more than six hours within the airport are not required to go through immigration control or apply for visas.Does Argentina require proof of onward travel?
You probably will need proof of onward travel. Try bestonwardticket.com or similar site. You get a legit onward flight booking in your name for 24-48 hours for about 10 dollars. Once you're in the country the booking will expire automatically.Do I need a return ticket for international flight?
They want to see proof of onward travel back to your home or at least to another destination. So while you can technically travel on a one-way ticket, they also need some kind of official return ticket confirmation showing that you are leaving the country eventually.Can I skip the return flight?
But if you intentionally miss the last leg of the journey, your ticket won't be cancelled, as there is nothing left for the airline to cancel. If you skip the first flight, your return flight also gets cancelled. To avoid that, don't ever skip a flight on a return flight.HOW TO FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS - My Best Tips After Booking 500+ Flights
More answers regarding do I need a return flight for all airlines to go to Argentina?
Answer 2
Short answer
After a bit of searching all I can say is it's conflicted. You can book a bus to be on the safe side, it lessens your chances of being refused but it's no guarantee either. As @user35350 mentioned, I remember I had to buy my bus tickets in Argentina as they were not available over the internet so keep that in mind.
Long answer
Consular answer
Paris embassy:
I checked with the Argentine embassy and their answer was basically to check with the airline.
Il faut voir cela avec votre compagnie aérienne. C'est elle qui est suceptible de pas vous faire embarquer à l'aller si vous ne disposez pas de billet de retour sous moins de trois mois. Veuillez donc contacter votre compagnie aérienne.
Montreal consulate:
If you are asked at the entry point, you have to prove that you will be leaving the country in a true date. A ticket containing a date of departure could be a proof of that. Note hat the decision to allow entrance into a country -even if the traveler has a duly issued visa- is taken by the immigration officer at the border, as wherever in the word.
Airline answer
Air Canada:
You'll have to contact Argentinian authorities as this is a customs issue. We just make sure you have the correct documentation but the local authorities make the decisions.
Air France:
This need to be confirmed by the Argentinian consulate of your country of residence.
Delta:
All airlines require proof of onward/return travel, visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused. A bus ticket is not considered onward/return travel
Lufthansa:
As long as the names match exactly on the passport, flight and bus ticket, it counts as sufficient proof of onward travel
Travel advisories
US, Canadian and French governmental travel advisories don't mention anything about exit requirements for Argentina. The UK has a note that some airlines have refused to board passengers without proof of onward travel, but they don't specify which kind.
Proof of onward travel
You may need to provide proof of onward travel in the form of a return ticket. You should make all flight reservations before departing for Argentina. Airlines have sometimes refused to board passengers travelling to Argentina without proof of onward travel.
Extra
Most info regarding this on blogs mentioned people had no problem travelling without a proof of onward travel, however I don't know how reliable they are as they were from 2008-2010 so I'm only mentioning them.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: AMAN, Jeffry Surianto, Fariz Priandana, Jeffry Surianto