Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Crossing the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento is one of South America's most useful short hops — a UNESCO-listed Portuguese-and-Spanish colonial town in Uruguay, reachable from central Buenos Aires in about an hour by fast ferry. It is an easy day trip or a natural first stop on a wider Uruguay itinerary.

The standard way: the fast ferry

Two operators run the crossing: Buquebus, the larger and longer-established line, and Colonia Express, generally the cheaper option. Both run fast catamaran-style ferries that make the crossing in around 1 hour, with several sailings a day; Buquebus also runs a slower, cheaper conventional ferry on some departures, taking closer to 3 hours, for travellers happy to trade speed for a lower fare. Buquebus sails from its own terminal near Puerto Madero in central Buenos Aires, while Colonia Express uses a separate terminal a short taxi ride away — check which terminal your ticket is for, since they are not interchangeable.

Both companies also sell combined ferry-and-bus tickets through to Montevideo, useful if Colonia is a stop on the way rather than the final destination — see our guide to Buenos Aires to Montevideo for that direct option.

Booking and fares

Advance booking is not strictly necessary outside peak weekends and the Southern Hemisphere summer (December–March), when sailings can sell out, especially the cheaper fare classes. Fares vary a good deal by how far ahead you book and which class of seat you choose; booking a few days ahead online generally secures a noticeably better price than turning up on the day. Both operators also offer day-trip packages that bundle the return crossing with sightseeing, though independent travellers lose little by simply booking the ferry and exploring Colonia at their own pace.

Driving or the long way round

There is no bridge across the Río de la Plata at this point, so driving means a lengthy detour north via the Argentina–Uruguay road crossings further upriver — many hours longer than the ferry and not a realistic option for a Colonia day trip. For visitors bringing a car into Uruguay for a longer trip, our driving in Argentina guide covers the practicalities of crossing borders by road more generally.

What to see in Colonia

Colonia del Sacramento's Barrio Histórico is the main draw: a compact, cobblestoned old town founded by Portuguese settlers in 1680 and fought over by Spain and Portugal for more than a century, which explains its unusual mix of Portuguese-style low houses and Spanish colonial plazas. The crooked Calle de los Suspiros ("Street of Sighs"), the old lighthouse built into the ruins of a convent, and the riverside promenade are all walkable in a couple of hours, making the town easy to see thoroughly even on a same-day return trip. Golf carts and bicycles are popular ways to get around for visitors staying a little longer, and several small museums cover the town's colonial and maritime history.

Doing it as a day trip

With several sailings a day on the fast ferry, Colonia works well as a day trip from Buenos Aires: an early morning crossing, three to five hours exploring the old town and having lunch, and an afternoon or early evening return. Travellers who prefer a slower pace, or who plan to continue on to Montevideo, often stay a night in Colonia instead, since the old town is particularly pleasant in the early morning and at sunset once the day-trip crowds have gone.

Staying overnight versus a day trip

Colonia's compact size means a day trip covers the historic centre thoroughly, but an overnight stay has real advantages: the old town empties out considerably once the last afternoon ferries have departed, and the golden evening light on the Barrio Histórico's stone walls and jacaranda-lined streets is a genuinely different experience from the busier midday hours. Accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses to boutique hotels in restored colonial buildings, and prices are generally lower than equivalent options in central Buenos Aires, making an overnight stop an easy add-on even for travellers who came mainly to see Buenos Aires itself.

Which should you choose?

Take the fast ferry — either Buquebus or Colonia Express — for the roughly one-hour crossing; it is by far the simplest and quickest way to reach Colonia, and there is no realistic road alternative for a short trip. Choose the slower conventional ferry only if the lower fare matters more than the extra couple of hours. Travellers extending their trip may also want our guides to Buenos Aires to Tigre for a different kind of river day trip, or ferries in Brazil & Argentina for more on River Plate crossings generally, and our coaches in Argentina guide if you are travelling on by long-distance bus.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Buenos Aires to Colonia?

Take a fast ferry with Buquebus or Colonia Express across the Río de la Plata, around 1 hour, with several sailings a day from central Buenos Aires.

Do I need my passport for this trip?

Yes. It is an international crossing between Argentina and Uruguay, and both exit and entry formalities apply, usually handled at the ferry terminal before boarding.

Is there a cheaper, slower ferry option?

Yes. Buquebus runs a conventional ferry on some departures, taking around 3 hours, at a lower fare than the fast catamaran service.

Can I continue from Colonia to Montevideo?

Yes. Both ferry operators sell combined ferry-and-bus tickets through to Montevideo, or you can book the crossing to Colonia and the onward bus separately.