The ferry across the RÃo de la Plata is the easiest international trip you can take from Argentina. Colonia del Sacramento sits on the Uruguayan shore roughly 50 km from Buenos Aires, and two operators run fast boats there several times a day. This guide covers operators, terminals, crossing times, approximate 2026 fares, border formalities and how to extend the trip to Montevideo. For what to see once you arrive, see our Buenos Aires day trips guide.
Operators: Buquebus vs Colonia Express
Two companies carry most passengers on the route.
- Buquebus is the larger operator, with the biggest timetable, a first-class cabin option and sailings to Montevideo. Its Buenos Aires terminal is on Avenida Antártida Argentina at the northern end of Puerto Madero.
- Colonia Express runs a smaller fleet on Buenos Aires to Colonia and sells combined ferry-and-bus tickets to Montevideo. Its terminal is in the southern part of Puerto Madero, roughly 2 km from the Buquebus terminal, and sources disagree on its exact street address, so check the address printed on your ticket.
Both leave from Buenos Aires, not Aeroparque or Retiro. Taking a taxi to the wrong terminal is the most common mistake: confirm the operator before you set off.
| Buquebus | Colonia Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal | Northern Puerto Madero | Southern Puerto Madero |
| Fast crossing | Approximately 1 hr 15 min | Approximately 1 hr 15 min |
| Sailings per week | Around 20 | Around 24 |
| Return fare (approx.) | From about USD 60 | From about USD 55-60 |
| Montevideo | Direct and via Colonia | Via Colonia plus bus |
Fares and frequency are approximate and based on aggregator listings as of 2026. Prices swing by season and by how early you book, and weekends in January and February sell out. Always check the operator’s site for the exact date.
Crossing times and when to go
Typical departures from Buenos Aires are around 08:30, midday and early evening, with return sailings in the late afternoon and evening. Some weekday-only sailings exist, so timetables differ on Sundays and holidays.
The crossing itself is about 1 hour 15 minutes, but plan for the full process: arrive 60 to 90 minutes before departure for check-in and border control, and allow similar time on the Colonia side. A morning departure and an evening return gives roughly five to six hours in Colonia. That is enough, as the historic quarter is compact. We suggest booking the first sailing and the last return you can make.
Passport and Uruguay entry
You need a passport, not just a national ID card, unless you hold an Argentine or other Mercosur identity document. Argentine immigration checks you at the Buenos Aires terminal, and Uruguayan officers stamp you in at Colonia, both inside the ferry terminals. Most nationalities from Europe, North America and Australia can enter Uruguay without a visa for tourism; confirm yours before travel.
If you are using the trip to reset your Argentina stay, read the rules in our Argentina visa guide first, as re-entry stamps and local rules can change. Carry travel insurance for the trip and keep your return ticket handy.
Day trip timing and costs
- Morning ferry (08:30), walk the Barrio Histórico, lunch, lighthouse climb, evening ferry back.
- Budget for the ferry plus a sit-down lunch in Colonia, which is cheaper than a comparable Buenos Aires restaurant, as of 2026.
- Uruguay uses pesos (UYU), though US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
If you want to skip the logistics, guided Colonia day trips from Buenos Aires bundle the ferry, a local guide and lunch. Staying the night is a good alternative: look at where to stay in Buenos Aires for a base close to Puerto Madero, or book a Buenos Aires hotel near the terminals for an early departure.
Buenos Aires to Montevideo
There are two main ways to reach Montevideo:
- Direct Buquebus sailing. The fastest option on the days it runs, around 2.5 to 3 hours. Fewer departures, so book ahead.
- Ferry to Colonia plus bus. Colonia Express and Buquebus both sell combined tickets, with a bus connection of about 2.5 hours from Colonia. Total travel is around 4 to 5 hours, often cheaper.
For a Colonia-to-Montevideo leg on your own, buses leave Colonia’s bus terminal regularly. For overland routes and other transport within the country, see getting around Argentina and compare bus and train prices on Omio.
Practical tips
- Book online a few days ahead, and further ahead for weekends and summer.
- Bring a light jacket: the river crossing is breezy and the cabins are air-conditioned.
- Foreign credit cards sometimes fail on Argentine booking sites, so keep a second card ready.
- If you land at Ezeiza, plan your airport transfer to the right terminal before you travel.