Buenos Aires to London by bus?
That’ll be a return bus ticket from Palermo to Islington please…
Fear not, you didn’t miss the news about a new transatlantic bridge from Argentina to England. Let’s face it, structural considerations aside, it’ll never happen 
So, if there isn’t a running bus route from Palermo to Islington, then what’s a traditional old red double-decker London bus doing in Palermo, Buenos Aires, of all places? Read on…
No, I have no idea either!
To be honest, I haven’t the foggiest idea what it’s doing here, or how it came to cross the Atlantic.
One quick phone call later, to the cellphone number posted on the side of the bus (it’s for sale), and basically I’m still none the wiser. The guy on the other end said it’s been in Buenos Aires for many years, since before he joined the company that’s now selling it (so he didn’t know too much about it’s background). All he could really tell me was that during its time in Buenos Aires it has mostly been used for filming adverts or movies that need to look like they are set in London, and for other assorted events. All I can add myself is that it must have cost an arm and a leg to import here, that’s for sure.
London Bus for Sale in Buenos Aires
In fact, it will cost you more than a few arms and a few legs if you wish to purchase this fine specimen of British automotive history. Hand over 110,000 pesos (about US$37,000, or approximately 18,500 of the Queen’s British Pounds), and you can drive it away today. Just think of the fun you could have racing it against the crazy colectivos in Buenos Aires.
In case there really are any interested parties out there, you can call 15-5181-8666 to make an inquiry.
And if you just want to go and take a look at this rather surreal Buenos Aires sight, it can be found just around the corner from the American embassy building, next to Plaza Int. Seeber, in the Palermo parks (just across from the number 37 bus stop – the Buenos Aires number 37, that is).
But if you actually go and have a look, whatever you do, don’t even think of getting on this piece of private property and making silly poses for the purpose of a photo opportunity. That would be just downright inappropriate. Ahem.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Hi Alan, check this out http://www.lanacion.com.ar/Archivo/nota.asp?nota_id=906438
Nice post about Colonia. I love Uruguay.
Saludos
June 17th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Thanks for the nice comment Dalila, I love Uruguay too
That article you linked to is interesting, thanks, I had not heard about this before.
To be honest, I hate this sort of thing. To me, why take a “tourist bus” when you can get a free map from a tourist information office, and then go the same places on your own either by walking (BA, after all, is a great walking city), or public transport, or even taxis if need be – generally this will cost less, and be a more “authentic” experience – i.e. not being accompanied by hoardes of other tourists wherever you go.
Or if you need more help, hire a guide. We don´t cost that much!
I´m all for extra options, but I guess this option is just not for me. Though maybe I´m a more independent traveller than the average person.
I like this part of the article
“…los ómnibus, con guía y folletería turística a bordo, circularán lentamente por la ciudad con la intención de que los turistas puedan tomar fotografías…”
wow, the colectivos and taxi drivers are going to love getting stuck behind these!
Thanks again for the link Dalila – it´ll at least be interesting to see how these tourist buses work out here in Buenos Aires.
Cheers,
Alan
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Thanks for your Colonia advice we will use it all as we want to hit Uraguay while in B.A. end of march 2009. I can taste the beef and lamb from here in vancouver. we’ll be looking for the routemaster!