Collect your vehicle at BRC terminal and drive to the lakes and mountains.
Bariloche Airport - BRC Teniente Luis Candelaria International - sits about 14 km east of the city centre on RP80 and Ruta 40, roughly 20 minutes' drive. The terminal handles direct flights from Buenos Aires in about 2 hours and sees heavy charter traffic during the ski season from July to September. Rental handover happens either at the terminal desk or in the car park, depending on which local company supplies your car.
This page focuses on rental at the airport itself: meeting the supplier after your flight lands, signing paperwork at the terminal, and driving out along RP80 toward the lakes. If you prefer to collect downtown or need detailed city routing, see our Bariloche page. The airport option suits travellers who want to leave BRC directly for Cerro Catedral, Villa La Angostura, or the Circuito Chico without entering the city first.
We list cars available for airport pickup, including models that require no deposit and accept debit cards or cash for the balance. Every car displays its payment terms and excess before you book, so you know exactly what you will pay online as a booking advance and what you settle on collection. The widget above searches BRC inventory; choose "Specify location" to confirm airport pickup if you see both city and terminal options.
Four steps from landing to driving out of BRC car park.
After you clear baggage claim, look for the rental desk in the arrivals hall or check your voucher for car-park meeting instructions. If your flight is delayed, the supplier will adjust the handover time - always provide your flight number during booking.
Present your voucher, driving licence, and International Driving Permit. The staff will confirm your booking reference and verify documents. Some companies operate a desk inside the terminal; others meet you outside with a sign.
Review the contract, note any existing marks on the walk-around sheet, and pay the balance in the method stated on your voucher - debit card, cash, or credit card, depending on the car. The agreement lists the local company contact, excess, and return instructions.
Exit the car park onto RP80, which joins Ruta 40 heading west toward Bariloche centre or south toward El Bolson. The road is paved, well-signed, and takes about 20 minutes to reach the city if you need fuel or supplies before continuing to the mountains.
In the booking widget above, use the "Specify location" field to filter results for Bariloche Airport - BRC - so you see only cars available for terminal collection rather than downtown offices.
Common first-day drives from BRC and the type of car suited to each.
35 km, 30-40 minutes via Avenida Pioneros and RP82. Paved all the way. In winter bring chains; outside ski season any sedan or crossover works. The Citroen C3 Aircross offers roof rails if you need to carry skis or boards.
14 km, 20 minutes via RP80 west. Smooth asphalt into town; any car handles the route. The Toyota Etios or Fiat Cronos work well if you plan to stay urban or drive only sealed highways around the Circuito Chico.
90 km, 1 hour 15 minutes via RN40 and Ruta 231 north. Paved Andean road with mountain passes; a crossover like the Citroen C4 gives higher clearance for winter snow and better visibility on curves.
30 km to Llao Llao, then 60 km loop. All paved, mostly Avenida Bustillo lakeside road. The Citroen C4 or C3 Aircross suit the winding scenic route, but any car completes the circuit without trouble.
130 km south, 1 hour 45 minutes via RN40. Sealed national highway through steppe and forest. A sedan suffices unless you plan gravel side-trips to remote lakes; for those, consider a crossover for ground clearance.
Examples of models frequently offered for BRC pickup; actual availability and specifications appear in the search results.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Etios | Compact sedan | Paved routes, city driving, one or two passengers with light luggage |
| Fiat Cronos | Compact sedan | Sealed highways, Circuito Chico loop, economical fuel consumption |
| Citroen C3 Aircross | Crossover SUV | Higher stance for snow, roof rails for ski gear, better visibility on mountain roads |
| Citroen C4 | Crossover SUV | Villa La Angostura or El Bolson trips, extra boot space, comfortable long-distance drives |
These are indicative examples. The booking widget shows real-time inventory for your dates, including transmission type, fuel policy, excess, and payment terms for each vehicle. Availability at BRC fluctuates with flight schedules and ski-season demand, so search early if you travel in July or August.
Practical reminders to keep your BRC rental smooth from handover to drop-off.
Find cars that do not require a deposit hold or a credit card for BRC collection.
Payment terms vary by individual car, not by category or class. In the search results each vehicle displays a "No deposit" or "No credit card" badge if it qualifies. Some cars accept debit cards or cash for the balance, others still ask for a credit card. The excess - the amount you remain liable for in case of damage - stays in place regardless of deposit policy; those are independent parameters.
Filter results by these badges or read the "Payment on pick-up" section in each car's detail panel. If you hold only a debit card, check that your account limit covers the potential excess so the rental company can note the figure without actually blocking funds.
When you confirm a booking on 4Drive you pay a booking advance by card online; we do not accept cash through the website. The remaining balance is due when you collect the car at BRC, using the payment method shown in your voucher - debit card, cash, or credit card, depending on the vehicle you chose.
The voucher and the rental agreement will also state the excess, any optional extras you added (second driver, child seat, Chile permit), and the local company contact. For full details about advances and on-site settlement, see our payment and advance page.
Answers to common queries about picking up and returning a car at BRC.
Yes, if the car you select shows "No credit card" in its terms. Some models at BRC accept a debit card or cash for the balance. Each vehicle lists its payment requirements before booking, so filter results or check the detail panel to confirm.
Collection happens either at a rental desk inside the arrivals hall or in the airport car park. Your voucher specifies the exact location and includes the supplier contact. Some companies meet you with a sign outside baggage claim and walk you to the vehicle.
Provide your flight number when you book. The local company monitors arrivals and adjusts the handover time automatically. You will not lose your reservation or pay extra fees for delays outside your control.
About 35 km and 30-40 minutes via Avenida Pioneros and RP82. The road is fully paved. In winter bring chains; outside ski season any car handles the route without difficulty.
Most suppliers at BRC align return hours with flight schedules, but after-hours drop-off depends on the company. Check your rental agreement for the return procedure; some offer a key-drop box, others require staff presence for the final walk-around.
An International Driving Permit is recommended alongside your home licence. Most rental companies at BRC ask for both documents during the walk-around, and police checks on Ruta 40 may request the IDP if your licence is not in Spanish.
Search BRC cars now, compare payment terms, and reserve in two minutes. Every booking includes free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, so you can lock in your car and adjust plans if your flight changes. For broader Argentina car rental overview or to compare with Buenos Aires Airport options, explore those pages.