How to get to Igauçu Falls, Brazil

Iguaçu Falls is one of those places that honestly lives up to the hype. We first saw it on the Brazilian side and I kid you not, I stood staring with my mouth open for at least 5 mins straight! It stretches nearly 3 km wide and is made up of hundreds of individual waterfalls – so you can imagine the scale! It’s loud, humid & unforgettable. It’s an absolute must-see, so read on to see how to get to the Iguaçu Falls in Brazil from Brazil’s major cities, popular southern tourist spots and Argentina. 

Facts about Iguaçu Falls

Just to whet your appetite…

• It is wider & taller than Niagara Falls and only just shorter than Victoria Falls
• Location: Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) / Puerto Iguazu (Argentina)
• Number of waterfalls: 275!
• Tallest drop: 82 metres! (Devil’s Throat which you can see clearly on the Argentina side)
• It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Iguaçu or Iguazu – which is correct?

Iguaçu is the Brazilian spelling and Iguazu is the Argentinian spelling. You will see both being used but Iguazu is more common in the Spanish speaking world. The town of Foz do Iguaçu is where you need to be to access the falls on the Brazil side. The town of Puerto Iguazu is the starting point for the Argentina side.

Where are the Iguaçu Falls?

The Iguaçu Falls are located in the far west of Paraná state, Brazil and they lie on the border of Brazil and Argentina. The main Brazilian base is Foz do Iguaçu, a medium-sized city with good infrastructure, hostels, and transport links. 

Across the border is Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, and about 15 minutes away in the other direction is Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. It’s one of South America’s easiest triple-border regions to navigate.

Travelling in Brazil

Brazil is huge! The easiest way to get around is either by flying (expensive but quick) or by bus (cheaper but longer). The longer journey buses in Brazil are actually really great, with semi-reclining and full reclining options, seat choices, aircon, toilets and clear ticketing systems. 

Flying to Foz do Iguaçu?

If you are flying to Foz do Iguaçu, you will land at the airport which is only a 5 min drive to the falls (vs a 30 min drive to Foz do Iguaçu town).

Both inside the airport and at the visitors centre of the falls, you will find lockers to store your luggage. If your flight time is well aligned you could visit the falls straight after landing or just before leaving from the airport. 

As there is not much to do in the evenings in the town of Foz do Iguaçu. I would recommend trying to align your flight so that you can fly in, see the falls and continue on your journey. This will also save on a night of accommodation and save time not having to travel into the town, just to travel back past the airport to see the falls.

Using Buses in Brazil

Before we get into it, here is what you need to know about buses in Brazil:

For most major routes, the buses we took in Brazil were double deckers with semi reclining seats on the top deck and full reclining seats on the bottom deck. You can see this on busbud by going through to select your seats and it should differentiate between top and bottom deck & reclining vs semi-reclining. 

Busbud allows you to check the schedules ahead of time as well as book and pay for your tickets. The best bit about busbud is that you can also pick your seats – top deck front seats yes please!

Busbud take a small commission but for us it was so helpful being able to book online, choose our seats and go straight to the bus to board. Rather than having to struggle with limited Portuguese to purchase a ticket from the kiosk directly.

All of the buses we took made stops for food & breaks at service stations. The bus driver will come onto the bus and say when the bus is stopping for a quick break. (Make sure to use the listen function on your translate app so you know what they are saying.)

The only time we didn’t have stops or a toilet on board was for small local journeys.

You should arrive at the bus station at least 30 mins before departure. 

Check out busbud for all their Brazil schedules.

We have a full article on how to use buses to get around Brazil, so make sure you check that out.

From Rio de Janeiro

Rio is 1,500km away from Foz do Iguaçu and there are no direct buses. The easiest and quickest way to reach Foz do Iguaçu is via plane. However this might not always be the cheapest option for those on a backpacker budget. 

If you are interested in what to do in Rio, check out our complete guides:

1. 16 Best Things to do in Rio
2. Rio de Janeiro: Ultimate Guide & Safety Tips Before You Go
3. A First-Timer’s Guide to the Best Neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro
4. Ultimate 4-Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary: Complete Guide 2026
5. Rio’s Best View: Morro Dois Irmãos Hike
6. How to Visit Christ the Redeemer: Tickets, Transport & Tips
7. Sugar Loaf Mountain Guide: Hike vs Cable Car

Flying 

🕘Total flight time approx 2h 20m (direct) 

To get from Rio to Iguaçu quickly, the best thing is to fly. The direct flight from Rio to Foz do Iguaçu takes just over 2 hours. The best way to check for internal flights is on skyscanner or with airlines directly like LATAM, Azul & GOL.

Flights with a connection are often a lot cheaper – but be careful about connecting in São Paulo, as you might need to get to a different airport. 

Bus 

🕘Total bus time approx 24 hours (stop in São Pualo)

If you want to take a bus the whole way you will need to take 2. One to São Paulo and next to Foz do Iguaçu. 

The first bus will take about 6 hours and depart from Rio arriving in São Paulo. Your second bus will leave São Paulo and take about 18 hours to reach Foz do Igacu. If you are doing this route I would really recommend at least 1 or 2 days in São Paulo:

1) to break up the journey & 

2) to explore this fun city full of art & culture. 

Check out what to do in São Paulo here.

Here is the bus schedule from Rio to Foz do Iguaçu on Busbud. 

For our top tips on using buses in Brazil check out our article with all the best tips and recommendations for bus travel – including how to save $$$.

São Paulo

São Paulo is about 1,000km from Foz do Iguaçu but is much better connected flight wise compared to Rio de Janeiro. 

First-Timer’s Guide to São Paulo

São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city, so it can seem a bit overwhelming but our São Paulo Guide is here to help. The city is a metropolis of art, food, culture and green spaces, so there is a lot to do!  Where Is São Paulo? São Paulo is in South-East Brazil in the state of […]

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Flying 

🕘Total flight time approx 1h 45m (direct) 

To get from São Paulo to Iguaçu quickly, the best thing is to fly. The direct flight from São Paulo to Foz do Iguaçu takes just under 2 hours. The best way to check for internal flights in Brazil is to search on skyscanner or with airlines directly. The popular airlines are LATAM, Azul & GOL.

There are 3 major airports in São Paulo:

CGH – Congonhas (domestic hub in Sao Paulo, 10km south)

GRU – Guarulhos (major international airport 20km to the north-east)

VCP – Viracopos (located 100km north-west out of the city)

You can find public transport to these airports, but for safety and convenience we used Uber and it was very reliable. 

Flights from São Paulo to Iguaçu are often quite reasonable. Make sure to check the cost of the bus beforehand to compare the cost and the time. E.g. if a flight costs £70 and takes 2 hours, vs a £50 bus which takes 18 hours, I might consider the flight.  

Bus 

🕘Total bus time approx 18 hours 

Due to the time it takes for this bus to reach Iguaçu, all of the buses are overnight buses. The benefit of an overnight bus for those on a budget means it’s essentially travel & a nights accommodation all in one – as long as you can get some sleep of course. 

The overnight buses we took in Brazil were all very nice. We chose semi-reclining chairs but you can also pick a full reclining seat for optimum sleep ability. This is where booking ahead of time on busbud comes in handy. If you want a full reclining seat you can book this in advance. Equally if you don’t want anyone in front of you in a semi reclining seat you can pick to sit at the front or close to the toilet etc. Picking the seats at the front also means you have fewer people walking past you to get to the toilet. All these things add up on an overnight bus so you can get the best sleep possible. 

Check out the bus schedule from São Paulo to Foz do Iguaçu on Busbud. 

For our top tips on using buses in Brazil check out our article with all the best tips and recommendations for bus travel – including how to save $$$.

Florianopolis

This popular seaside city of Florianopolis is a super popular spot, buuttt it’s a little out of the way. Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Florianopolis to Igaucu, so a flight with a connection or a bus is best. 

You might hear locals affectionately call Florianopilos ‘Floripa’. 

Flying 

🕘Total flight time approx 4h (1 connection) 

To get from Florianopolis to Iguaçu quickly, the best thing is to fly. There are no direct flights, most stop over in São Paulo, and because of this, it’s a little more expensive than the direct flights from São Paulo alone. The best way to check for internal flights in Brazil is to search on skyscanner or with airlines directly like LATAM, Azul & GOL.

Bus 

🕘Total bus time approx 15 hours

Due to the time it takes for this bus to reach Iguaçu, all of the buses are overnight buses. The benefit of an overnight bus for those on a budget means it’s essentially travel & a night’s accommodation all in one – as long as you can get some sleep of course. 

This was the only delayed bus we had in Brazil – it left Florianopolis on time but at around 3am the bus stopped because it had an issue with the engine so we had to swap onto a different bus. This is not to worry you about this exact route, but just about the realities of bus travel. The bus driver explained the situation in Portuguese and we asked another traveller using google translate what was happening. 

All of the overnight buses we took in Brazil were all very nice. We chose semi-reclining chairs but you can also pick a full reclining seat for optimum sleep ability. This is where booking ahead of time on busbud comes in handy. If you want a full reclining seat you can book this in advance. Equally if you don’t want anyone in front of you in a semi reclining seat you can pick to sit at the front – or not close to the toilet etc. Picking the seats at the front also means you have fewer people walking past you to get to the toilet. All these things add up on an overnight bus so you can get the best sleep possible. 

Check out the bus schedule from Florianopolis to Foz do Iguaçu on Busbud. 

TIP: when booking buses ahead of time, we always use Busbud. You can look at the different times and book the specific seats we want in advance (always at the front on the top deck!)

For our top tips on using buses in Brazil check out our article with all the best tips and recommendations for bus travel – including how to save $$$.

Curitiba

Curitiba is very well connected with Foz do Iguaçu. Flights are direct and relatively cheap – sometimes even cheaper than the buses!

We loved our time in Curitiba – it wasn’t very touristy at all. We have written blogs on all our favourite things: seeing the wild capybaras, the train ride from Curitiba to Morretes, the hop-on hop off bus & what else to do in Curitiba.

Flying 

🕘Total flight time approx 1h (direct) 

To get from Curitiba to Iguaçu quickly, the best thing is to fly. The flights are really reasonably priced and pretty regular. The best way to check for internal flights in Brazil is to search on skyscanner or with airlines directly like LATAM & Azul.

Bus 

🕘Total bus time approx 10 hours 

Due to the time it takes for this bus to reach Iguaçu, most of the buses are overnight buses. The benefit of an overnight bus for those on a budget means it’s essentially travel & a night’s accommodation all in one – as long as you can get some sleep of course. 

The flights from Curitiba are pretty reasonable, so it’s definitely worth comparing the prices and the time it takes to reach Iguaçu. 

Check out the bus schedule from Curitiba to Foz do Iguaçu on Busbud. 

For our top tips on using buses in Brazil check out our article with all the best tips and recommendations for bus travel – including how to save $$$.

Argentina/ Puerto Iguazu by Bus

The views from Argentina vs Brazil are wildly different so it makes sense to do both. The border process is actually very simple to get across from Puerto Iguazu.

Immigration

You can either enter Brazil for the day to see the falls, or you can stay in Brazil for longer.

If you are staying in Brazil, rather than returning to Argentina the same day you MUST make sure to tell the bus driver to stop at the immigration centre. This is so you can get your passport stamped. This is very important as ‘unofficially’ buses drive straight though with ‘day guests’ and no immigration is conducted. Although not correct this is usually fine because you are only visiting for one day. 

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a visa. There is always the chance you will be stopped and asked to go through official immigration. 

When we left Brazil to Argentina, we had to specifically tell the bus driver to stop at immigration. The bus did wait for us (with the day visitors remaining on the bus), however if they don’t they should give you a card/ticket (see pic below). This card is so you can get on the next bus to allow you on without having to pay again.

Bus companies

The public bus company we used to cross the border with was ‘easybus’. We had to pay with cash on the Brazil side when we got on the bus. In Puerto Iguazu on the Argentina side, it’s best to go to the Puerto Iguazu Bus Terminal. Here you can purchase your ticket to Foz do Iguaçu. Make sure you tell the driver you need to get off at immigration and make sure they give you a ticket to get on the next bus (normally only 15-30 mins away).

Bus companies which do the border crossing are:

• Easybus (we took this one)
• Rio Uruguay 
• Crucero del Norte
• Or any bus which says ‘Foz do Iguaçu’ on the front

Step by step process

1. Head to Puerto Iguazu Bus Terminal & ask at the info desk when the next bus to Foz do Iguaçu is
2. Board the bus (you will either pay for your ticket at the counter or on the bus). We had to pay in cash from Brazil
3. The bus takes around 20 – 30 mins to reach immigration
4. FOR DAY TRIPPERS: Take advice from the driver as to whether you need to get off for immigration or not
   • Also ask the driver of the bus where it’s best to get off to take the next bus to the falls.
5. FOR THOSE REMAINING IN BRAZIL FOR 1 NIGHT OR MORE: get off at immigration
   • Ask the driver if you need to take your bags or if they will wait for you
   • If they want you to take your bags you will need to get a ticket from them so you can board the next bus
   • Make sure you go through both Argentinian exit immigration and Brazilian entry immigration  
6. Ride the bus another 20-30 minutes and you will be in the centre of Foz do Iguaçu.
7. The bus will most likely end at the Urban Bus Station. If you are going to a hotel/hostel in Foz do Iguaçu keep an eye out if you are nearby when on the bus and get off wherever is closest
8. Buses leave to the falls from the Urban Bus Station (there might be somewhere closer to get off, just ask the driver)

Argentina/ Puerto Iguazu by Car

If taking the bus isn’t for you or you want to maximise on time for a day trip, your best bet is to join a tour/hire a driver or a taxi to go straight to the falls via immigration. 

There are loads of tours online (these tours don’t usually include entrance tickets)

If you want to see both sides in one day, this looks good:

This tour goes from Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) to visit the Brazilian side & bird park – the bird park was really good!

And finally this is a 2 day combo tour which looks good. You get 1 day at the Argentinian falls and ½ day at the brazil falls (which is the perfect amount of time for each!)

What else do I need to know about the Iguazu Falls

We have written a full article on everything you need to know about visiting the Iguaçu Falls in Brazil and the Iguazu Falls in Argentina, from how to get there, what the costs are, when it’s open, the best activities, tips and recommendations from us. Make sure to check them out:

• Iguaçu Falls – Brazil Side Waterfall Guide
• Iguazu Falls – Argentina Side Waterfall Guide