1

If the train really runs I am quite sure it won´t be booked. Most people travel by bus which is much quicker.

2

Hey Mato you were advised correctly-unless you're actually in BA and at the ticket counter, you can't buy the tickets too much in advance. maybe a week or two. you'd think that, for a fee, a local travel agency or hostel employee could do it for you. I took that train 4 years ago, through Cordoba to Tucuman, and it's a great way to meet locals especially if you carry a deck of cards or bottle of wine/whiskey with you.
In Buenos Aires, try to hit "LaBomba del Tiempo", at 1930 on Mondays-it's a happy,groovy, good-vibe drum circle that attracts hundreds in a converted warehouse(half indoor, half outdoor). The address is Centro Cultural Konex, 3131 Sarmiento. You can check it out on Youtube. Good Luck! Jon

3

Hi Mato,

I lived for a year in Cordoba and neither I nor my Argentinian husband (who lived there for 15 years) have ever come across anybody who took the train. I have no doubt it is possible as you already have the information but it is apparently primarily a goods train and so schedules, comfort and reliability may not be great!
However if you are set on trying it, you shouldn't be too worried - if you have a problem, there are loads of loads of (reliable and comfortable) buses leaving Retiro bus terminal for Cordoba all day and it is usually no problem booking one on the day - although sometimes the most comfortable (cama or suite) seats sell out. There are a couple of bus companies that can be reserved online in advance if you change your mind, like andesmar. Good luck and have a good trip.

Carolyn

4

Hi again,

Just looked at the link and the Sierras trains look great! Let us know if you do manage the train trip!

Carolyn

5

Thanks for your quick answers!

I heard about in what conditions the trains in South America are, but I really enjoy travelling by train and it shouldn´t be less comfortable than in India ;-) And I know about the really great overland buses in SA when I was in Peru and Bolivia two years ago - better than every bus in Europe! And of course we are planning our tour with a lots of bus trips, this is way I´m trying to make some trips by train if possible, like Villazon to Tupiza in Bolivia.

So, I will try to catch the train from BA to Cordoba. Otherwise we´ll take the bus.

Thanks a lot for the answers. And if we stay longer in BA we´ll visit La Bomba del Tiempo ;-)

So long, Mato