Montevideo - Buenos Aires
Ferry to Argentina
Montevideo - Buenos Aires
Ferry to Argentina
Fares for the Montevideo to Buenos Aires crossing usually range somewhere between $106* and $713*. Most travellers pay around $303* for a Montevideo Buenos Aires ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $106*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $303* on average.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Montevideo Buenos Aires route generally kick off from Montevideo at around 05:00, and the last departure of the day is usually around 20:00.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Montevideo and Buenos Aires is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
No, vehicles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Yes, Buquebus & Colonia Express carries foot passengers between Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Pet owners are in luck — Buquebus & Colonia Express allows pets on board between Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $242.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Montevideo to Buenos Aires route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Montevideo to Buenos Aires crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Montevideo to Buenos Aires on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Montevideo to Buenos Aires ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
| Montevideo - Buenos Aires Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $303 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $360 | |
| Montevideo - Buenos Aires Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Uruguay |
| Destination | Argentina |
| No. of Operators | 2 |
| Operators | Buquebus & Colonia Express |
| Average Price | $303 |
| Average Pet Price | $242 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 7 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 45 |
| 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 September 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.
