Almost everyone travels from Buenos Aires to Iguazú Falls by air, for a simple reason: the falls are in the far north-east of Argentina, in Misiones province, right on the border with Brazil. The overland trip is possible by bus or by car, but it takes one very long day or two. Here is what each option involves and when it is worth choosing.
Flying: the usual choice
There are daily flights from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú, the Argentine town next to the national park. Most leave from Aeroparque, the city airport, and some from Ezeiza, the international airport well outside the city. Check which one is on your ticket. If you land at Ezeiza on a long-haul flight and continue from Aeroparque, allow a generous margin for the transfer between the two airports. Foz do Iguaçu, on the Brazilian side, has its own airport, which is useful if your next stop is in Brazil.
Long-distance bus
Buses run from Retiro terminal to Puerto Iguazú. It is a long ride that includes a night on board. You pay per seat, and the seat class decides how well you sleep. The bus suits solo travellers with time to spare and people who prefer not to fly. There is no passenger train to Iguazú.
Driving
The usual route goes north on Ruta Nacional 14 through Entre Ríos and Corrientes provinces and continues on Ruta Nacional 12 across Misiones, by way of Posadas. It is too far to drive in one go without a second driver, so plan a night on the way. The reward is the stops a flight skips, such as the Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio Miní. One-way car hire from Buenos Aires to Iguazú usually carries a drop-off charge, so ask the rental company first.
Where a private transfer fits
For one or two people who simply want to see the falls, flying is faster and nearly always more practical. A road trip with a driver makes sense in particular cases:
- a family or group that wants the journey to be part of the holiday, with stops on request;
- travellers who cannot or would rather not fly;
- trips with a pet or with luggage that will not go on a plane.
On a route this long, the stops and a possible overnight break are planned in advance, and availability is confirmed when you book. The more common pattern is a different one: we take you to Aeroparque in Buenos Aires and arrange the transfer from the airport to your hotel in Puerto Iguazú.
Before you decide
July, Easter and Argentine long weekends are the busiest dates, and flights and buses fill up. The national park ticket is bought separately by each visitor. Seeing the Brazilian side as well means a border crossing: documents depend on each passenger’s nationality and must be checked with the official migration authority. To plan the stay itself, read Iguazú Falls in two or three days.