The oldest underground train system in the Southern Hemisphere is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Known locally as the Subte it was officially opened in 1913. For a tourist in Buenos Aires using the Subte is an easy way to get around the city.

The Subte stations are easily recognized by their large round logo and identifying line color. There are 6 lines  A (light blue), B (red), C (dark blue), D (green), E (purple) and H (yellow).

One peculiarity with the Subte is that it runs on the opposite side of the road than the traffic system. Hence trains run from right to left. This is because the first line was designed and constructed by a team of English engineers.

Once you have headed down the stairs to the station you must buy your ticket. One ride costs AR$1.10 (in 2010) You can buy tickets in singles or multiples with cash. An alternative that many locals use is the Monedro plastic card which can be recharged at any subway station as well as corner stores.

Using your tickets to pass through the turnstile you can use that one ticket to change trains as many times as you like. There are many interconnecting station linked by an underground tunnel system.

During peak hour the trains are heavily packed and get very hot. So if you can try and avoid using them during them during this time. Outside of peak hour there are many buskers inside the carriages as well as people selling candy, books, more or less everything.

Trains come around every 5 minutes but it is not unusual for there to be interruptions on the lines and occasionally strike. So always have a back up plan in case this happens.

Even if you don’t know how to speak Spanish Buenos Aires style the Subte is easy to use and a cheap way to move around the city.

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