How to Get from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento by Ferry
Are you planning a day trip from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento, or are you simply looking for information on how to get from Argentina to Uruguay or vice versa? Read our step-by-step travel guide, which includes instructions on where to catch the ferry, how to buy a ticket, and what company to choose.
Getting to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires by ferry is very straightforward. It's also one of the best ways to visit this charming city in Uruguay on a day trip from Argentina.
When we planned our trip to South America, we knew that Buenos Aires in Argentina would definitely be high on our travel list of places to visit.
On the other hand, we didn't know much about Uruguay, except that the capital city is Montevideo, the country produces wine, and football is a really popular sport there.
But that's not a very surprising fact for a South American country.
So when we finally arrived in the city of 'Good Airs', which is a rough translation from Spanish to English, we explored the city of Buenos Aires for the first few days, and then we decided to travel to Uruguay, to the famous UNESCO-listed town Colonia del Sacramento.
What we didn't know was how are we actually going to get there.
By quick research on google maps, we realized that the bus ride would be almost 500 kilometers long, and it would probably take forever to get there.
But the ferry ride across the estuary of Rio de la Plata (or a gulf, depending on the point of view) seemed possible.
So we dug deeper to find relevant information to make our day trip as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
Only one day before our departure, we searched for ferries to Colonia del Sacramento, booked the tickets, boarded the ferry the next day, and that was it. Easy peasy.
We enjoyed a fantastic day in a new country, without the usual stress of crossing borders.
Don't worry. If you are also planning your trip from Argentina to Uruguay, we will walk you through it step by step to avoid getting lost along the way and arriving safely.
Here's how to get from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento by ferry.
Buenos Aires
There are so many things to do in Buenos Aires, and this extraordinary city quickly became one of our favorite capital cities in South America.
When we landed in Buenos Aires after a four-hour smooth flight from Ushuaia, tired and exhausted after a one-month-long adventure and everyday trekking in Patagonia, it was like we stepped into a completely different world.
Not only because it was really hot, but because it felt like we came back to civilization.
We don't mean to offend Rio Tranquilo or Villa O'Higgins at all.
What we mean is that Patagonia feels like you are out there, somewhere very far away from everything. Plus, they call Ushuaia the end of the world for a reason.
Buenos Aires didn't feel like this.
Everything is big in Buenos Aires, houses or the main boulevard 9 de Julio Avenida, with more than 20 lanes in some parts. Yeah, you've heard right.
Just to get to the other side will take you a couple of minutes with all those lights and traffic, and we've never seen anything like this before.
Or the main bus terminal near Retiro station. It's enormous. When we later traveled from Buenos Aires to Paraguay, our platform had number 178.
Or the modern skyscrapers were rising in the business district, towering above everything else.
We could go on and on, but you should have by now a rough idea of how things are in Buenos Aires.
If you follow our footsteps, you might want to base yourself in Buenos Aires for a few days and take a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento to take a break from all the hustle and bustle.
It is more than worth it!
Colonia del Sacramento
Only about 50 kilometers across river Rio de la Plata lies Colonia del Sacramento, one of the oldest towns in Uruguay, and nowadays a popular destination for day trippers from Argentina.
Colonia del Sacramento is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage with a long and fascinating history, and its historic quarter is very laidback and beautiful.
It’s almost unimaginable that it is 340 years since the first settlement was established in 1680 by the Portuguese.
The rule over the town has changed almost ten times between Spaniards and Portuguese over the years. There were many wars and battles.
The city was destroyed a few times until the state of Brazil took over, and after six years, in 1828, the independent state of Uruguay was declared.
The historic center is relatively small and compact, which leaves you time to explore one of many museums, buy souvenirs, have lunch, and visit a beach before the planned ferry departure.
There are more beaches along the coast in case you have time to spare, they all seem very similar, and the river is quite shallow, so you have to walk a little away from the shore to take a refreshing swim.
As it was really hot on the day we visited Colonia del Sacramento, we were really glad that we packed a swimsuit with us.
How to Get to Colonia del Sacramento From Buenos Aires
Most travelers and visitors coming to Colonia del Sacramento usually arrive from Buenos Aires.
And it does not matter if it is only for a day, a couple of nights, or if the city is only the first stop on a multi-day vacation in Uruguay.
We decided that Colonia del Sacramento would be the only place we wanted to see in Uruguay because we were not in a mood to lie on the beach.
We know that the country offers much more, but at that time, we felt pretty tired after many years on the road and did not feel like exploring this country more thoroughly.
Well, maybe next time.
And also, we planned our beach time for later in Florianopolis in Brazil, plus at that time, our frugal budget for South America was slowly but inevitably drying up.
Here's our guide on how to get from the capital of Argentina to the most beautiful colonial town in Uruguay.
How Many Days You Need for Colonia
Fortunately, getting to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires is very easy, and it does not take long.
But before you buy a ticket, you should decide how many days you want to spend in Uruguay.
We believe that a full day is enough for Colonia, but if you want to see the town after the day trippers leave, you might want to stay there overnight.
Which Company to Choose
After you decide that, you have three ferry companies to choose from.
They are Buquebus, Seacat Colonia, and Colonia Express. We believe they all provide similar services for a comparable price.
We personally chose Buquebus, as we found its service the most convenient for us at that time (and it was also available at convenient times as we were buying the tickets last minute).
Still, you should check other companies too to have a comparison of all possibilities.
You might find out that the tickets are sold out, that you want to travel at a different time, or the tickets are expensive.
Purchasing the Ticket
The next step to get from Buenos Aires to Colonia is to purchase a ferry ticket.
Generally, the only and the most economical way to travel between these two places is by ferry as they lie just across the river from each other.
We would say it's the only logical way to get there, but if you are afraid of traveling on water, you can take the bus or a flight to Montevideo and then take a bus to Colonia.
The process of booking the ticket is straightforward, just make sure your names, dates and times are correct.
Price
The non-refundable day trip return ticket costs approximately 60-100 USD in the economy class but the price might change, depending on the season and travel times.
You can also buy tickets through GetYourGuide, and they seem to be cheaper, you can add a walking tour in Colonia for a few extra bucks, the reviews are good.
Traveling with a Car
If you are traveling around Argentina by car, the ticket is a bit pricier only if you travel in a rental car, make sure your rental company allows you to take the vehicle abroad.
How to Get to Ferry Terminal
We were able to walk from Buenos Aires city center to the ferry terminal, but there is also a possibility to get there by taxi, bus, or metro.
Terminals
Two companies leave from a terminal close to each other, while the third company uses a terminal which is a bit further, so make sure you know where to go in the morning so that you won't be panicking later.
It is wise to be at the terminal at least one hour before departure.
Do not forget that this is not a regular trip, but you will be crossing borders, which means it takes time to walk across the customs and immigration.
Boarding
Information in the terminal is easy to follow, so walk through all necessary steps until you get to the waiting area, where you must stay for a while before boarding.
In the waiting area, you can buy breakfast, in case you didn't have time to do so in the morning.
On board
Once on board, take a seat (they are not assigned, you can sit anywhere), and enjoy an approximately an hour-long ride.
On board the vessel is possible to buy snacks or a cafe, and you will also find a tax-free zone there if you want to do some duty-free shopping.
Arrival to Colonia
When you get to Uruguay, disembark, go through customs and immigration again, and leave the terminal.
The city center of Colonia del Sacramento, yours today's destination, is only a ten-minute walk from here.
How to Get to Barrio Historico from Ferry Terminal
Here is an extra tip. When you leave the terminal building, you don't have to go around the block.
In the northwest corner is a small entrance to AFE Cultural Center, and from there, you can carry on along the old train station to the Barrio Historico.
Bus Station
If you need to buy a bus ticket, then exit the parking lot through a gate in the northeast corner, and after 50 meters walk, you will find on the right side the bus terminal, where you can buy tickets to Montevideo or other destinations.
COT is a very reputable bus company for getting around Uruguay.
Finding Accommodation in Colonia
If time allows, spending a night in Colonia del Sacramento sounds like a good idea, mainly because people arriving there only for a day must eventually return late in the afternoon back to Buenos Aires.
And without the crowds, the place will have a completely different vibe.
Cap off the evening in a local restaurant with a glass of wine and great food, try Uruguayan typical dish 'chivito' or a freshly caught fish.
However, we think that one day is enough for Colonia del Sacramento when short on time.
We didn't stay overnight and returned the same day in the afternoon back to Buenos Aires.
If you decide to unwind in this charming town and stay overnight, consider searching for hotels in Colonia del Sacramento.
Getting Back from Colonia to Buenos Aires
When it was time to return, we stopped at the Street of Sighs for the last time and leisurely walked back to the ferry terminal, where we disembarked in the morning.
We felt a little bit sad that we didn’t stay longer, but we knew that another adventure in Encarnacion awaited.
The sail back to Buenos Aires across the calm chocolate-colored waters of Rio de la Plata caught us exhausted, and we dozed off a few times during the short journey.
When we reached the shores of Argentina again, we walked through the border control and spent the rest of the day thinking of Colonia and Uruguay while editing our photos.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
For starters, always bring a passport.
Though it feels like an ordinary day trip, you will leave Argentina and enter Uruguay, and the border officers don't care that it is only for a day.
Check before you go if you need a visa too to enter Uruguay.
US, Canada, Australia, members of the European Union, and another 60 countries don't need a visa and can visit Uruguay for up to 90 days.
But this is one of those things that can change anytime, so it's better to check updates by yourself to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the borders.
Wear comfy runners, and don't forget to bring a sunscreen, straw hat, and swimsuit.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires
It is possible to visit Colonia del Sacramento only on a day trip from Argentina and get another stamp on your passport.
And this is also what we did.
You will have to find a hotel in Buenos Aires, which will be your base for a couple of days to visit the city and top attractions nearby.
Here we've hand-selected the best hotels in Buenos Aires.
Budget | Che Juan Hostel BA - This ideally located hostel in Buenos Aires city center offers simple but clean accommodation, comfortable beds, great facilities, daily activities, and lots of opportunities to hang out with fellow travelers.
Mid-range | Tango de Mayo Hotel - Set in a building from the 1910s, this wonderful hotel is located in the heart of Buenos Aires. Tango de Mayo has spacious rooms with comfortable beds, unique Art Nouveau decor, and an on-site restaurant. One of the best values for the money you can find in Buenos Aires.
Luxury | Hilton Buenos Aires - This excellent hotel in Puerto Madero offers luxurious rooms, perfect service, delicious breakfast, spa facilities, a rooftop pool, and a fitness center. Simply put, this is one of the best hotels you can find in Buenos Aires.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
