Asunción lies upriver and across a border: Paraguay’s capital stands on the Paraguay river, facing the Argentine town of Clorinda in Formosa province. From Buenos Aires you can fly, take a direct bus or go by road, and both overland options include a land border control. This guide sets the three side by side.
By plane
Direct flights link Buenos Aires with Asunción’s international airport, which is in the neighbouring city of Luque. Flying is the quickest way and the choice of most people travelling for work, paperwork or a short stay. Immigration is done at the airport, with no roadside queue. Buenos Aires has two airports, so check whether your flight leaves from Aeroparque, inside the city, or from Ezeiza, a long way out.
By direct bus
International buses run from Retiro terminal to Asunción, mostly overnight. The ride is long and includes the stop at the border, where passengers go through immigration. You pay per seat and there is more than one seat class. It is the usual option for solo travellers who want to spend less.
By car
The usual route follows Ruta Nacional 9 to Rosario and then Ruta Nacional 11 through Santa Fe, Resistencia and Formosa to Clorinda. There you cross the international bridge to Puerto Falcón, on the Paraguayan side, with Asunción a short drive beyond. A second route goes through Posadas and Encarnación and then across southern Paraguay.
Either way it is more than one comfortable day at the wheel, so plan to sleep on the way. If you hire a car, ask the rental company whether it allows the vehicle to leave Argentina and what papers it provides. There is no passenger train and no regular river boat on this route.
The land border
You pass Argentine exit control and then Paraguayan entry control. Queues vary by day and season and grow on public holidays, around Christmas and New Year and in summer. Every passenger needs their own valid travel document. Which document is accepted depends on nationality, so check with the official migration authority of each country before you travel. Children travelling without both parents usually need an authorisation; check the rule that applies to you.
When a private transfer is worth considering
If you travel alone with one suitcase, the plane or the bus does the job. A vehicle with a driver makes sense for a family or a group with a lot of luggage, for someone travelling with a pet, or for people who want to stop in towns along the way. Availability of this route and the exact conditions are confirmed when you book, and we never promise a crossing time.
Another common pattern is to fly and book only the airport transfer in Buenos Aires. Routes to the neighbouring country are gathered under transfers from Argentina to Paraguay.