Montevideo - Buenos Aires
Ferries to Argentina
Montevideo - Buenos Aires
Ferries to Argentina
On the Montevideo Buenos Aires route, fares generally fall between $82* and $587*. On average, a Montevideo Buenos Aires ferry ticket costs around $254*, with the lowest Montevideo Buenos Aires fares starting at $82*. Foot passengers pay an average of $254*.
Actual fares depend on passenger numbers, vehicle type, chosen route and sailing time. Figures are based on fares searched over the past 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last refreshed August 26.
Compare fares, operators and sailing times from across the globe in one place, then book with confidence. Booking ahead is the easiest way to lock in a better price and a wider choice of departures.
Yes. Direct Ferries runs a number of discounts throughout the year. If a senior discount applies to your route, it's applied automatically once you select the right age range in the passenger options during your search.
Students and recent graduates can save 5% on their booking. Simply register with our partner Student Beans to verify your status, and you'll be issued a discount code to apply at checkout.
On several Spanish and Italian routes, residents can also access a discounted fare — look out for the "Residents" option during your search, which applies the reduced price automatically. Keep in mind you'll be asked to show proof of residency, such as a registration certificate or an ID card showing your address, at check-in.
Montevideo Buenos Aires sailings usually begin with a departure from Montevideo at approximately 05:00, with the final sailing of the day leaving around 20:00.
Given the length of the crossing, a trip between Montevideo and Buenos Aires tends to work better as a weekend getaway or longer stay, so you can get the most out of the journey.
No, none of the operators currently running this route accept vehicles on board sailings between Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Bicycles currently aren't accepted on any of the ferries running between Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Yes, Buquebus & Colonia Express accepts foot passengers on sailings between Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Good news for pet owners — Buquebus & Colonia Express allows pets on board sailings between Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Traveling with a pet on this route costs an average of $200.
Figures reflect fares searched over the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last updated August 26.
When you bring a pet on board, you'll typically need to have the following ready:
This varies by operator — on some ferries, pets must stay in your vehicle for the whole crossing, while others provide dedicated pet zones, pet-friendly cabins, or lounge areas. Check our Deal Finder to compare the pet arrangements on offer and choose the crossing that suits you and your pet best.
A few things are worth knowing before you travel with a guide or assistance dog. We'd suggest letting our customer service team know, or flagging it with the ferry operator when you book, that you'll be travelling with an assistance animal.
Bring along any relevant certification and paperwork too, since you may need to show it at boarding or at some point during the crossing.
Even on sailings where pets generally aren't permitted, different rules often apply to guide dogs and assistance dogs. Get in touch with our customer service team to confirm the specific policy for your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for general guidance.
Overnight sailings on the Montevideo to Buenos Aires route aren't guaranteed and depend on a range of factors. Run a search with your travel details and our results will show whether an overnight option is available, along with current timetables, crossing times, and day-sailing alternatives.
Bear in mind that overnight crossings can run a little longer than their daytime equivalents.
Document requirements aren't the same on every route, so it's worth confirming what you'll need before you travel. A valid passport is generally required for the Montevideo to Buenos Aires crossing, alongside any visas or national ID your nationality calls for. Exact requirements depend on your citizenship and the rules of your destination country, so for the latest guidance and to avoid delays at check-in, take a look at our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide.
Booking is straightforward: enter your departure and arrival ports along with your travel date to pull up every available sailing and fare. You can also browse alternative routes and departure times to find the option that works best for you.
Keep an eye out for early-booking savings and flexible ticket types, including upgrades or flexi-fares that let you amend or cancel later on. For a hassle-free booking, double-check the details you enter, such as passenger numbers and any vehicle specifications.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, you'll get a confirmation email. Exactly how your boarding pass is issued after that depends on which operator you've booked with.
Some operators send your boarding pass out the moment you book, while others require check-in at the port itself. Where it's offered, online check-in is also available through the Direct Ferries app, saving you a step at the terminal.
You'll typically find the ticket desk close to the ferry terminal itself. It's a good idea to arrive a little early so you have plenty of time to collect your tickets and get checked in without rushing.
At check-in, have your confirmation email ready along with valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. If you're travelling with a pet, bring along their vaccination and insurance paperwork, and if you booked using a resident discount, be prepared to show proof of address too.
A few things can explain a lack of sailings on your chosen date: a temporary schedule change, limited space, or a seasonal shift in the timetable are the most common. It's worth trying a nearby date or exploring alternative routes using our Route & Port finder.
As a rule, the earlier you book your Montevideo to Buenos Aires ferry, the better. Booking ahead tends to secure lower fares along with a wider pick of departure times and cabin or seating options.
Aim to book at least a few weeks ahead to make the most of the best available offers, keeping in mind that fares can shift depending on the season and how much space is left.
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| Montevideo - Buenos Aires Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $254 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $299 | |
| Montevideo - Buenos Aires Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Uruguay |
| Destination | Argentina |
| No. of Operators | 2 |
| Operators | Buquebus & Colonia Express |
| Average Price | $254 |
| Average Pet Price | $200 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 7 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 47 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 4 h 31 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 2 h 30 m |
| First Ferry | 05:00 |
| Last Ferry | 20:00 |
| Distance | 129 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and is situated on the south coast of the country, typically used as the gateway to Argentina. The crossing to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, lasts between two and five hours, and runs several times per week. It showcases Montevideo’s prominence in Uruguay when around half of the country’s population reside in its capital city - though it’s easy to see why. The city centre is alive with an eclectic mix of cool bars, live music and a bohemian art scene, creating an image that Montevideo is one of South America’s coolest cities. The Solis Theatre and the Museum of Fine Arts provide the cultural edge that attracts so many young artists to the city, and impressive buildings like the Palacio Salvo and Palacio Taranco are what keeps them there. Away from the city centre, the beaches are usually propped with tourists basking in the glorious weather or locals having a game of beach football or volleyball. The evening is when the beaches really come alive, with discos and parties at beach clubs lasting till the early hours of the morning. For those looking to escape the vibrancy of the shorelines, the southeast of the city is where the shopping malls are found, offering authentic clothes and materials at relatively cheap prices. The size of the city is fairly small and the public transport is very efficient, so travel around Montevideo is fairly simple. The only problem some may have is the language barrier; most locals will only speak Spanish so it is advisable to learn some basics or carry a translation book whilst out and about. Alternatively, taxis are reasonably priced for quick and easy transport.
The city of Buenos Aires, located on the western shores of the vast River Plate estuary, is the largest city and capital of Argentina. It’s a multicultural metropolis that has retained much of its historical European identity, evident in the downtown clash of architecture that ranges from the soaring towers of the central business district to the pink walls of the Italianate-style Casa Rosada presidential palace. The ferry port of Buenos Aires is found to the north of the main collection of piers and shipping yards found in the Retiro borough of the city. The terminal here is set along the grass-lined banks of the Lujan river that flows into the larger River Plate, just to one side of a large man-made marina. A waiting area can be found inside the building and a limited number of car-parking spaces are available along the road into the harbour . Just a few minutes’ walk from outside the port entrance is the Marina Nueva train station that offers routes deeper into the suburbs of Buenos Aires, including a stop by the city’s international airport on the coast. The extensive National Route 9 highway, just a few minutes’ drive from the port, cuts north and connects motorists to other major Argentinian cities including Rosario and Cordoba. Passenger routes run from the port multiple times throughout the week, serviced by Buquebus and Colonia Express ferries. Both these lines offer daily routes to the nearby capital of Montevideo in Uruguay, a short distant across the River Plate, and the smaller Uruguayan city of Colonia Del Sacramento. Colonia Express also sails to the port-town of Carmelo a number of times per day.
