Visiting Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires as a Day Trip
Take a high-speed ferry across the Rio de la Plata from the Buquebus or Colonia Express terminals in Puerto Madero. The crossing takes between 60 and 75 minutes, allowing for an easy day trip or a relaxing weekend getaway.
- Book your ferry ticket online in advance. Use the official websites for Buquebus, Colonia Express, or Seacat. Prices fluctuate based on demand, so book at least 2 weeks before your trip to save 20-30% on the fare.
- Arrive at the terminal early. You must be at the Puerto Madero terminal 60-90 minutes before your departure time. You are crossing an international border, so you need to clear Argentine exit and Uruguayan entry immigration before boarding.
- Clear immigration. Have your passport ready. In most cases, you will process both exit and entry stamps at the Buenos Aires terminal before boarding the boat.
- Navigate to the historic center. Once you arrive in Colonia, the ferry terminal is a 10-minute walk from the Barrio Histórico. If you have luggage, there are plenty of official taxis waiting right outside the arrivals gate.
- Can I use Argentine Pesos in Colonia?
- While some places accept them, the exchange rate will be poor. It is much better to use USD or a credit card.
- Do I need to print my ferry ticket?
- Digital tickets on your phone are generally accepted, but having a printout is a helpful backup for customs agents.