Last updated: June 2026 · Written by the Buenos Aires Tourism editorial team
The first time I boarded a fast ferry at Puerto Madero and watched the Buenos Aires skyline shrink behind me, I was in another country before my second coffee had cooled. Crossing to Uruguay is one of the easiest, most rewarding day trips from the city — and once you know how it works, it is almost absurdly simple.
The buenos aires to uruguay ferry is the quickest, most scenic way to hop the Río de la Plata, with fast catamarans reaching the UNESCO town of Colonia del Sacramento in around an hour and Montevideo in roughly two and a half. Three operators — Buquebus, Colonia Express and Seacat Colonia — run the route; you clear both countries’ immigration at the Buenos Aires terminal before you board, so you step off in Uruguay and simply walk into town.
Below is everything I have learned from this crossing: the operators, the routes and times, the terminals, how to book, rough fares, and how to turn it into a brilliant day trip. Argentina’s economy moves fast, so treat every price and timetable here as a starting point and always check current schedules before you travel. Most travellers reach the city first by flying into Ezeiza — see our guide on getting from Ezeiza airport to the city or, for domestic flights, from Aeroparque into Buenos Aires — then add the ferry as a day’s escape.
The buenos aires to uruguay ferry at a glance
There are really only two decisions to make: which town you are heading for, and which operator you book. Almost everyone starts with Colonia del Sacramento — it is the closest Uruguayan port, the crossing is shortest, and the old town is made for a day trip. Montevideo, the capital, is farther and reached either by a direct (slower) ferry or by a fast ferry to Colonia plus a connecting bus.
Here is how the main services compare. Times are approximate, as vessels and timetables change seasonally — confirm current schedules before booking.
| Operator | Main route | Approx crossing time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buquebus | BA – Colonia (direct fast ferry) | ~1 h 15 min | Largest operator; Dársena Norte terminal. Day-return deals common. |
| Buquebus | BA – Montevideo (direct) | ~2 h 15 min | Fewer sailings; book ahead. Also ferry + bus via Colonia. |
| Colonia Express | BA – Colonia (fast ferry) | ~1 h – 1 h 15 min | Own terminal further south. Often cheapest if booked early. |
| Seacat Colonia | BA – Colonia (fast ferry) | ~1 h 15 min | From the Buquebus terminal; ferry + bus to Montevideo & Punta del Este. |
For most visitors I steer them straight to a fast ferry to Colonia: leave Buenos Aires after breakfast, wander a 17th-century town all afternoon, be back for dinner. If Uruguay itself is the goal, aim for Montevideo or Punta del Este and give it an overnight.
The three ferry operators
Buquebus
Buquebus is the big, established name — the one most porteños mean when they say “the ferry to Uruguay.” It runs the most sailings, the largest vessels and the slick terminal at Dársena Norte in Puerto Madero, with direct crossings to Colonia and Montevideo plus combined ferry-and-bus tickets to Punta del Este. Rarely the absolute cheapest, but the most frequent and comfortable, with a big duty-free shop on board.
Colonia Express
Colonia Express is the value option, running lean fast catamarans to Colonia from its own terminal south of the centre (near the Boca/Barracas waterfront, not Puerto Madero — double-check your ticket, as turning up at the wrong terminal is the classic rookie mistake). Booked a few weeks out, its fares are frequently the lowest, especially off-peak.
Seacat Colonia
Seacat shares the Buquebus terminal at Dársena Norte and runs fast ferries to Colonia, with through-tickets by bus to Montevideo and Punta del Este. A solid middle option worth a price check — it sometimes undercuts Buquebus on the same crossing from the same building.
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