Easiest Guide on How to Get to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires
Are you wondering how to get to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires? This is the simplest guide on the internet, walking you through your trip step by step. Written by an expat who lived in Buenos Aires, this guide includes all my insider tips make your trip to Iguazu Falls trip stress-free.
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How to Get to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires
Book a flight from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu, the town closest to the falls. Direct flights are 2 hours long. You can fly from two airports in Buenos Aires:
- Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport (IGR)
- Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) to Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport (IGR)
I recommend flying with Aerolineas Argentinas. You can also try JetSMART or Flybondi, two budget airlines, but they might be less reliable in my experience.
Other guides suggest taking a bus or driving, but flying is the fastest and easiest way to get to Iguazu from Buenos Aires. Flights also cost the same as these other options.
Transportation From the Airport in Iguazu
The Iguazu airport is about 45 minutes from the town of Puerto Iguazu where all the hotels and AirBnBs are. Uber and rideshare services are unreliable there, and taxis may be unavailable, especially if your flight arrives late.
To avoid any hassles, you should arrange transportation in advance to get from the airport to the town of Puerto Iguazu.
Bus Transfer from Airport
I recommend this bus service that leaves hourly from the Iguazu airport and drops passengers off at their destinations. This is the cheapest option and very convenient because they drop every guest off directly in front of their hotel. However, this is not public transportation, so you need to reserve your seats in advance. After you book, the company will reach out to confirm your destination address.
They also offer a roundtrip service, so you can book a ride back to the airport when you leave Iguazu. However, this is a shared service, so you might be picked up early to accommodate others.
Private Transport Service
You can also arrange a private shuttle transfer like this van service. I recommend this for your trip back to the airport, so you control your schedule better.
Quick Story: When I left Iguazu, I couldn’t find a taxi to the airport. Most places were closed early in the morning. Eventually, I found a coffee shop that was open and explained my problem to the barista (in Spanish). Luckily, she helped me find a taxi driver. It was a very stressful morning! Learn from my mistake and book airport transfers in advance.
Where to Stay in Puerto Iguazu
Puerto Iguazu spans Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Book your stay on the Argentinian side since it is the closest to Iguazu Falls and since you are flying from Buenos Aires.
There are many AirBnBs and hotels to pick from, ranging from budget to 5-star, so choose what’s most to your liking. Everything on the Argentina side is walkable and centrally located. Just check that Argentina is in the hotel address when you book!
Best Hotels in Iguazu Falls
There are two special resorts located directly within Iguazu Falls national park that I, personally, would book if I return to Iguazu. Staying at these resorts is a luxurious experience, and it makes trip planning easy since everything you need is provided through your hotel. Check out these crown jewels of Iguazu Falls and treat yourself to the trip of a lifetime:
Gran Meliá Iguazu Hotel
This modern five star resort is located within the Iguazu Falls National Park in Argentina, overlooking the waterfalls and the jungle. It is the closest hotel to the falls in Argentina. The hotel has four cocktail lounges, three restaurants, two outdoor pools, and grand hotel rooms with big windows to gaze out at the view.
Once you see the waterfalls with your own eyes, you won’t want to stop admiring them. If you’re staying at the Gran Meliá Iguazu Hotel, the falls will always be visible out your window.
Hotel Das Cataratas, a Belmond Hotel
Located in Brazil, the Hotel Das Cataratas, is the closest hotel to Iguazu Falls. This is five-star hotel has a grand mansion design and 1950s charm. It has sprawling grounds and a luxury spa to provide you with the ultimate resort experience. If you’re staying at the Hotel Das Cataratas, you’ll even be close enough to catch a glimpse of the rainbows produced by the waterfalls. Between the views and the delicious Brazilian dining, you’ll never want to leave.
How to Get to the Iguazu Falls from your Hotel
It’s about a 45 minute drive to Iguazu National Park, where the waterfalls are located, from the town of Puerto Iguazu. At the entrance of the national park, you will need to buy tickets (or you can buy them here in advance).
The best way to get the waterfalls is on a guided tour. They include roundtrip transportation, special activities and an informative bilingual guide.
Here are the best tours on the market:
Iguazu Falls Tour with Jungle Train and Adventure Boat
I highly recommend this guided tour of the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls that includes a jungle train ride, safari truck ride, and thrilling river boat tour under the waterfalls. You don’t want to miss the boat tour – you can’t get any closer to the waterfalls than that! It also includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel. I took this tour and it was my favorite part of my trip to Iguazu.
Brazilian Side Iguazu Falls
Experience the other side of the waterfalls on this guided Brazil tour of Iguazu Falls. This tour includes roundtrip transportation from the Argentinian side and a knowledgeable guide who will help you cross the border. Combine this with a tour of the Argentinian side for a full experience and see completely new sides of Iguazu Falls.
Packing List (Commonly Forgotten Items)
Iguazu is a big change from Buenos Aires. Make sure you are prepared with the right items before your trip.
- Passport: Especially if you’re visiting the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls.
- Waterproof outer layer and waterproof backpack: On both the Brazil and Argentinian sides, the paths and viewpoints are inside the spray zone, which has a very thick mist. Plus, if you’re taking a boat tour, you will get completely soaked when they take you under the waterfalls!
- Bug spray: For the jungle, especially in warmer months.
- Waterproof sunscreen: For the outdoor activities.
- Comfortable walking shoes: No hiking is involved at Iguazu Falls, but you’ll want something that can grip to the slippery pathways.
- Sunglasses: For the sunshine.
Travel Tips
As an expat who lived in Argentina, here is my final advice that you need to know before your trip:
- You need a waterproof layer. You will get wet.
- Make sure your tours include transfer from Puerto Iguazu (Argentinian town), not Foz do Iguacu (Brazilian town). All tours in this guide are from Puerto Iguazu.
- Don’t forget your passport to cross the border into Brazil.
All-Inclusive One Day Package
If this seems like too much to plan, or if you don’t have a lot of time, consider an all-inclusive day trip and let the professionals handle everything you need. These one day roundtrip tours cover transportation from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls, activities, flights, and drivers.
Here is the package I recommend. You can book your trip instantly and rest easy knowing everything will be handled:
Ultimate One-Day Tour from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls
Don’t lift a finger by booking this all-inclusive one day trip from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls. This tour package includes transportation from your Buenos Aires hotel to the airport, airfare, and transportation to Iguazu Falls. You’ll tour the Argentinian side of the falls with a guide and return to Buenos Aires on the same day. It’s perfect for checking Iguazu Falls off your bucket list without worrying about all the logistics.
Read More
Looking for more inspiration? Read my ultimate Argentina travel guide.