City Experiences, Transportation, Public Transportation in Buenos Aires, Featured Content, How To, Tips and Tricks

How to Use SUBE Card Argentina

Jorge Farah

By | September 27, 2019

SUBE card being used for public transportation in Buenos Aires, Argentina

We explain where you can get A SUBE card, where to top it up with credit and how to use it. Public transportation in Buenos Aires made easy.

The introduction of the SUBE card, a system where the card can be charged electronically and then used to navigate the city’s public transportation buses, subways, and trains was a game-changer. Nowadays, Porteños and foreigners alike count their trusty SUBE cards among their most important possessions, like a mobile phone or a set of house keys.

Just a few years ago, trying to make your way around Buenos Aires on public transportation was a headache of epic proportions; buses worked exclusively with coins, which, of course, created a chronic city-wide coin shortage.

However, the SUBE system might be a bit confusing if you’re brand new to it. This is why we’ve put together this helpful explainer to get you set up and using your SUBE without any trepidation.

Helpful tips to consider when obtaining and using your SUBE card

1. You can get a SUBE cards at convenience stores (“kioscos”), as well as in subway stations. If your local kiosco is all out, make your way over to the nearest subway station and buy one at the gate. As of writing, the price for a SUBE card is $90 pesos, but make sure to check for the most recent numbers as prices tend to change quickly in Argentina. For more general info check out our ultimate guide to getting around Buenos Aires.

2. SUBE charging stations are available at kioscos throughout the city, as well as some ATMs and various other businesses. Keep an eye out for the blue “SUBE” sign displayed outside, indicating that a charging station is available. You’ll be able to charge your card by feeding cash into these machines.

3. Running low on cash? You can also charge your SUBE on your phone using the MercadoPago app. MercadoPago is an online payment app that will allow you to connect your debit or credit card and then use it to load money onto your SUBE. Be advised that you’ll still need to “activate” this charge, which you can do at special charging stations. The app will show you a map of the nearest charging stations. (You can also purchase your own charge activator, which is a small device that connects to your phone and uses the app to validate the charge. This saves you a step, but the device will set you back a cool $2500 – $3000 pesos.)

4. Out of credit on your SUBE card last minute? You can go up to negative $-54 pesos. The kind folks at the Buenos Aires city government understand the hectic city life and the fleeting value of the peso, so there is a negative charge built into each SUBE card. Once you’ve hit that threshold, you’ll get the dreaded red dot on the SUBE reader. Depending on the friendliness of your bus driver, you can either ask around to use someone else’s SUBE in exchange for cash, or simply be forced to slink away in defeat towards the nearest charging station.

5. Make sure you use the right scanner at the subway! The older turnstiles have two card scanners: old and current. This can cause confusion and even frustration as you hold up the line while attempting to figure things out. So we’ll save you a lot of grief: Always use the scanner on the top for the subway.

6. Taking the train? Don’t forget to scan your SUBE card on the way in or out of the train. You’ll be charged the maximum amount if you forget to do either. This is a security measure intended to curb freeloading.

7. Lose your card? Not to worry! The SUBE website can cancel your card and you can then find your closest SUBE center to get a new card issued. Of course, you need to be registered first, so make sure to create an account and load your SUBE card number.

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