Categories
Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the west and Brazil to the west. It has an Atlantic Ocean coastline and has a subtropical climate.

Montevideo is the capital of the country and home to the largest airport in Uruguay, while Punta del Este is a very popular beach destination in the country.

Quick summary

Buses and ferries are the cheapest options to get between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. If you want to travel to other cities than the capital of Montevideo, you’ll need to connect through the capital anyway (to catch a bus).

Flights from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Buenos Aires to Montevideo

Montevideo is served by Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD), the largest airport in Uruguay. It is hub for Pluna. The following airlines offer flights to/from Buenos Aires: Aerolíneas Argentinas (Aeroparque, Ezeiza) , BQB Líneas Aéreas (Ezeiza), PLUNA (Aeroparque, Ezeiza) and Sol Líneas Aéreas (Aeroparque).

In mid-May 2012 expect to pay from US$82 one way on PLUNA (from EZE) , while a return flight starts at US$134. The flight time is 1 h (one way). It’s actually cheaper to fly from EZE and back into AEP (on PLUNA and Aerolineas Argentinas).

Buenos Aires to Punta del Este

Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport (PDP) serves Punta del Este and offers direct connections to Buenos Aires – Aeroparque. There are direct year-round flights operated by BQB Líneas Aéreas and PLUNA, while Aerolíneas Argentinas operated only seasonal flights.

In mid-May 2012, expect to pay from US$103 one way on PLUNA with a connection in Montevideo, while in mid-September 2012, expect to pay the same fare. Direct flights start at US$108, regardless of the time of the year.

>>book a cheap flight to Buenos Aires

Ferries from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Buenos Aires to Montevideo

Buquebus operates a high-speed ferry between the two capitals and the single fare starts at $178.42 UYU / US$41 (promo web). The travel time is about 3 h 15 min and there are several departures per day.

Buenos Aires to Colonia

The main connections to Argentina from Colonia are two ferries linking to Buenos Aires. Buquebus operates the fast ferry (1h) and the single fare starts at AR$ 157.26 / US$35.80. There is also a slower boat which takes 3 hours and the single fare starts at AR$ 102 / US$23.22.

Buses from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Buenos Aires to Montevideo

There are three bus companies operating between the two cities. The single fare starts at AR$ 160 / US$38 and the travel time is 8 h.

To get to other cities in Uruguay, you need to connect via the capital of Montevideo. Once you get there, just ask for a ticket at the bus terminal (unless you travel during the weekends or holidays, it’s hardly likely to worry about not finding a seat).

Read more about:
>>Getting from Buenos Aires to Montevideo
>>Getting from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este

Photo credit