Colonia del Sacramento is one of the most beautiful cities in Uruguay, boasting a romantic atmosphere and stunning architecture. For those considering a visit to this charming city, we’ve put together a guide with tips on how to get to Colonia del Sacramento from Montevideo, Punta del Este, and Buenos Aires. We’ve also highlighted the most common ways to reach the destination, including by car, bus, and ferry.
What’s the best way to get to Colonia del Sacramento?
Colonia del Sacramento is a must-visit destination that will surely captivate you with its beauty, simplicity, and must-see attractions, such as Portón de Campo, Calle de los Suspiros, and the Lighthouse. Check out the best things to do in Colonia del Sacramento.
Therefore, if you are traveling to Uruguay or Argentina, be sure to take at least a day trip to explore the beauty of the city.
Colonia del Sacramento is about 2 hours from Montevideo (check out the tours from Montevideo), 4 hours from Punta del Este, and 1 hour from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
To reach the destination, the main modes of transportation are car, bus, and ferry. The best way to get to Colonia del Sacramento always depends on your starting point, personal preference, and travel style.
1. How to get to Colonia del Sacramento from Montevideo
To go from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento, your main options are car and bus. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all choice; it depends on what’s most suitable for you and your trip. The distance from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento is 180 kilometers (111.8 miles).
By Car:
If you’re in Montevideo and traveling in a group, a good option is to rent a car to go to Colonia del Sacramento. In this case, you will cover a distance of 180 kilometers (111.8 miles) on the Ruta 1 highway.
The Ruta 1 is a well-maintained dual carriageway, so the journey will be quite smooth. This road has tolls, but when you rent a car, the toll tag is usually included. If it’s not a rented car, you’ll need to purchase a tag, available at the toll office.
By making this journey by car, your trip will be more flexible as you won’t be dependent on transport schedules. Moreover, you can make stops wherever you like and leisurely explore the landscapes along the way.
UPDATED PRICES IN 2024: The price for a liter of gasoline in Uruguay starts from UYU 62 (USD 1,60). To check the updated prices, visit the ANCAP website. Toll fees start from UYU 142 (USD 3,60), and for updated prices and where to purchase the toll tag, visit TELEPEAJE.
By Bus:
The bus is also an interesting way to travel from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento. This is a budget-friendly and very efficient option, as buses are usually comfortable, and this route has good schedule availability, with both direct and non-direct options.
If you choose to go to Colonia del Sacramento by bus, it departs from Tres Cruces Bus Terminal in Montevideo, with the main companies for this route being COT and TURIL. Bus schedules can be checked on the respective company websites, so just pick the best time and embark on this adventure.
TICKET PRICE IN 2024: Bus tickets from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento are sold starting from UYU 519 (USD 13,39). You can purchase the tickets on the COT, TURIL, and URUBUS, websites, which sell tickets for both companies.
2. How to get to Colonia del Sacramento from Punta del Este
For those in Punta del Este, the main options to reach Colonia del Sacramento are also by car and bus. However, the car is the fastest and most comfortable option, and to reach the destination, you will cover 310 kilometers (192.6 miles) on Ruta 1, passing through several toll booths.
If you plan to make this journey by bus, there is no direct route from Punta del Este to Colonia del Sacramento. Therefore, you should take a bus to Montevideo first and then board another one to your destination.
The companies COT, TURISMAR, and COPSA operate the route from Punta del Este to Montevideo, and the ticket starts from UYU 418 (USD 10,78). To go from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento, you have the options mentioned above. Tickets can be purchased directly on the companies’ websites or on the URUBUS website.
3. How to get to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires
The main and best way to get to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires is by ferry across the Río de la Plata. And for your convenience, it transports both passengers and cars.
Ferry-boat
The ferry from Buenos Aires departs from Puerto Madero, and the crossing is super quick and smooth. Moreover, this is the preferred route for tourists, with a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento being one of the favorite excursions for those visiting Buenos Aires.
The agencies that sell ferry tickets are Buquebus and Colonia Express, but you can also purchase tickets through tour websites such as Civitatis and Get Your Guide. In addition to the mentioned websites, you can buy tickets in Puerto Madero, where the offices of Buquebus and Colonia Express are located.
Despite being in Puerto Madero, the terminals of Buquebus and Colonia Express are at opposite ends. The Buquebus Terminal is located at Antártida Avenue, 821, while the Colonia Express Terminal is at Elvira Rawson de Dellepiane Avenue, 155.
FERRY PRICES: The Buquebus website sells its tickets in dollars, starting from US$ 51. On the Colonia Express website, you have the option to purchase the ticket in Argentine pesos on the Argentine site or in Uruguayan pesos on the Uruguayan site. Thus, the ticket on the Uruguayan site costs from UYU 1523 (USD 39,29), and on the Argentine site, it starts from AR$ 43,531 (USD 38).
Tip: The ticket to Colonia del Sacramento is usually cheaper when you purchase the round trip together. Additionally, you can buy travel packages with hotels and tours included.
The first time we visited Colonia del Sacramento, we did a day trip with Buquebus, but on our recent visit to the city, we chose to go with Colonia Express. Both companies offer a similar service, and the vessels are alike. Therefore, it’s worth selecting the company with the cheaper ticket.
Departing from Buenos Aires, it’s also possible to reach Colonia del Sacramento by car, requiring a ferry crossing. In this case, you’ll also need to pay for the car crossing, but you can enjoy the beauty of the destination with more convenience.
Immigration to go from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento
When going from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento, it’s necessary to go through immigration for both Argentina and Uruguay. So, arrive at the boarding terminal in advance. For more information, check out our article, Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento.
Now that you’ve selected the best way to get to Colonia del Sacramento, check out our tips on the best hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and all the incredible attractions to discover in the Old Town of Colonia del Sacramento.
Read more: Best restaurants in Colonia del Sacramento.
