Most people traveling to Iguazu Falls stop off in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo before heading to the falls, either by bus or air.
Travelers who don’t want to deal with the airport twice could also fly straight into Iguazu, although flights from other parts of Latin America still touch down in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo on the way.
Table of Contents
Airports Near Iguazu Falls
There are two airports within five miles of the falls:
Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU) on the Brazilian side, and
Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR) is on the Argentine side. If flying from Buenos Aires or another city in Argentina, travelers will want to search for tickets flying into IGR.
Foz do Iguaçu/Cataratas International Airport (IGU) is the airport in Foz do Iguaçu.
The border town of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay also has an airport but it is inconvenient because an hour-and-a-half away from the falls and there are few flights.
Get refreshed by the magical mist of
Iguazu Falls
Due to internal taxes in both Argentina and Brazil, it makes sense to take a look online via VPN because ticket prices can vary depending on the origin of the purchase.
If planning you’re trip from overseas longtime ticket broker, Cheapo Air has some good deals to reach Iguazu as does a new kid on the block, Jetrader.
For tips on finding cheap flights, see our post with tips on purchasing flights.
How to Fly to Iguazú from Buenos Aires
The cost to fly to Iguazú roundtrip from Buenos Aires depends on the season and how far in advance the booking is made.
To get the best price available, make sure to book in advance if you are traveling in the high season, which runs from late December until February and Easter week.
To get an even better price go in the off season, as flights are inexpensive.
There isn’t much competition for flights in Argentina, as many of the budget airlines have left.
The main carrier in Argentina is Aerolineas Argentina.
The budget carriers are Jetsmart and Fly Bondi (which may be listed in searches as ‘fb lineas aereas’) .
The only problem with budget flights is that there are many more cancellations and delays, so travelers will need to take their chances and beware if on a tight itinerary.
Until the budget airlines are more established in Argentina again, there isn’t much choice between airlines, although there are many flights each day to Iguazu.
When we make flight arrangements for guests as part of our packages to Iguazu we try to find a balance between lower cost and reliability.
Check flights into IGR ➡
• LATAM Airlines ( flights from Brazil)
Tel: (in Argentina): (56 2) 687-2400
• Aerolíneas Argentinas (flights from Argentina)
Tel: (in Argentina):0810-222-86527
How to Fly to Iguazu from Brazil
If flying in from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or another city in Brazil, travelers will want to search for a ticket that lands in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
It’s easy to get confused because the airport names, Puerto Iguazu’s Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport and Foz do Iguaçu’s Cataratas International Airport and IATA airport codes (IGR and IGU respectively) are similar.
The main carrier in Brazil is LATAM (although LATAM Argentina dissolved during the pandemic).
The budget airlines in Brazil who fly into Foz do Iguaçu are Gol and Azul.
A direct flight from Rio de Janeiro to Foz do Iguaçu takes a little more than two hours.
A flight from São Paulo takes just under two hours.
After arriving, some travelers landing in Foz de Iguaçu cross the border to stay in accommodation in Puerto Iguazu.
There is a series of public bus rides that will get you there (information below) but it’s much better to get a taxi or uber.
Puerto Iguazu is smaller, more relaxing town, has the majority of Iguazu-related activities and is a less expensive place to stay than Foz do Iguaçu.
Buses to Puerto Iguazú from Buenos Aires
Taking a long distance bus to Iguazu was the most common way for locals to get there until budget airlines arrived in Argentina in recent years.
Since bus travel is still a common way to get around the country, travelers have a lot of companies to choose from.
The long distance bus trip takes between 16 and 18 hours in total though, so these days only the understandably air travel adverse or those with a lot more time than money opt to travel overland.
Long distance buses in Argentine are comfortable if you purchase a ‘cama‘ or ‘semicama‘ seat which recline way back. They also provide meals and movies.
Most of the buses to Iguazu from Buenos Aires are fairly similar in price.
Via Bariloche is one of the best companies for long-distance travel in Argentina, followed by Andesmar, but if you’re on a budget it may be worth shopping around to save a few bucks.
To check availability, the website Platforma10 is useful.
Most companies allow you to book on the phone with any major credit card — the largest companies will have a staff member that speaks English.
Due to the Blue Dollar, it’s preferable to pay in cash though. Some companies can make a reservation and give you a code that can be paid in cash at any Pagofacil or RapiPago outlet.
It’s also possible to go right to Retiro Bus Station (next to the Retiro Train Station) in Buenos Aires and buy the tickets in cash, in person.
If you are staying nearby it might be the most straight-forward option.
Retiro Bus Station
Av. Antártida Argentina, Calle 10
Buenos Aires
Bus Companies that Go to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires
Expreso Tigre Iguazú:
Call Center – (011) 4315-7700
Retiro – (001) 4663-889
Puerto Iguazú – (03757) 420-854
Crucero del Norte
Call Center, Buenos Aires – (011) 5258-5000
Retiro – (011) 4315-1652
Misiones – (03752) 482-222
Expreso Singer
Retiro – (011) 4314-3927
Via Bariloche
Call Center, Buenos Aires – (011) 4315-7700
Andesmar
Call Center, Buenos Aires – (011) 6385-3031
Retiro – (011) 4313-3650/4242
Bus Companies in Brazil that Go to Iguazu Falls
Bus travel in Brazil isn’t as common as in Argentina, as budget airlines have grown.
Flights are more expensive in Brazil than Argentina though and the long distance buses, like those in Argentina, have reclining and have meals.
A bus to Foz do Iguaçu from Rio takes even longer than the one from Buenos Aires 21-23 hours.
Pluma is the bus company that makes this trip, three times a day. It costs approximately $80.
Pluma — 0800-646-0300
The bus trip from Sao Paolo to Foz do Iguaçu takes 15-17 hours. There are overnight buses available. The trip costs about US$50.
Bus Companies that Go to Foz do Iguaçu within Brazil
Catarinense — Whatsapp: (+55)-119-7264-5808
Brazil Sur — Whatsapp: (+43) 9-8416-0013
Nordeste — Toll-free number: 0800-044-2222 /Whatsapp: (+44)-3518-4044
Once landing in Foz do Iguaçu travelers frequently head straight to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina.
There is a public bus between the two cities, but first travelers have to make their way to the local bus terminal, Terminal Transporte Urbano (TTU).
From there catch public bus #120. It takes an hour to travel six kilometers.
Overall, this is a terrible option with luggage due to the various stops.
For on thing, international travelers have to get dropped off at immigration on the way to get a passport stamp and then wait for the next bus.
The bus’ final stop is also at the bus terminal in Puerto Iguazu, not in the center of town, so that’s one more reason not to take the bus.
If taking a taxi from Foz de Iguaçú, the driver has to wait for passengers at immigration.
Since taking a taxi is the most convenient option solo travelers or couples may want to ask the other passengers if they’d like to share the cross-border transfer to save money.
The taxi ride from Foz do Iguaçu ride to the center of Puerto Iguazú take about 20 minutes.
Renting a Car
If you are very adventurous you could also rent a car to drive to Iguazú but because it’s a long trip from the major cities in both countries and mostly traveled along a two-lane highway with little see in between, it’s not a logical option.
Not to mention when renting a car in Latin America you can’t usually drop the car off in another city, so it would have to be a round-trip drive.
It makes more sense to fly or take a bus to Iguazu and then rent a car in town.
With the Puerto Iguazu’s small size, it’s walkable (unless it’s the rainy season, in which case you want mud boots).
There are plenty of local buses and taxis, so renting a car in Iguazu isn’t as common as in other destinations.
Once exception would be for those planning on taking some worthwhile local side trips, such as to Wanda Mines or the interesting San Ignacio Jesuit ruins dating to colonial times.
There are nicely organized group tours there, such as this one, but renting a car allows one to travel on their own timetable.
How Long to Stay in Iguazu & Tours
Spending three days and two night in Iguazu is the perfect amount of time and rather hassle-free.
Those who will be in Iguazu won’t want to miss a Puerto Iguazu Night Tour.
Adventurers who want great photos will want to take the Iguazu Forest Tour, which includes canopying and repelling on a jungle walk (get in touch to arrange this as part of your tour).
If you don’t have much time but you really want to see Iguazu, you can also see both the Argentinian and Brazilian side of the falls in a two-day Iguazu extravaganza.
⇒ Ask us an Eight-day Argentina Tour that includes Perito Moreno Glacier, Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires
→ Check out our itinerary for a 15-day Buenos Aires, Iguazu and Classic Patagonia tour
→ Get in touch via our Contact Form to book any package that including a two-day or three-day customizable Iguazu trip.
Flights and all Iguazu Falls transport arranged at no charge.
Related articles on Iguazu Falls:
→ Iguazú Falls: the Fury of Nature