Money at Governor Francisco Gabrielli International (MDZ)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Mendoza, Argentina.
Mendoza uses the ARS ($). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly ARS 8,000–12,000. Cash preferred; USD sometimes accepted at worse rate.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Governor Francisco Gabrielli International (MDZ)?
Argentina uses the ARS ($). Airport ATMs dispense ARS directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from MDZ to the city cost?
Expected fare on the MDZ → central Mendoza route is roughly ARS 8,000–12,000. Around ARS 18,000+ is already high, and USD 30 flat quote is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at MDZ?
Not expected — round up. Drivers in Argentina don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at MDZ?
Cash preferred; USD sometimes accepted at worse rate. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of ARS notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at MDZ?
Only if you need $10–20 of ARS to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.