Travel Buquebus vs. Colonia Express – Best Option for Uruguay Trip?

[sunflowers]

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a short trip from Buenos Aires to Uruguay and trying to decide between Buquebus and Colonia Express. I’ve heard mixed things about both, and I’m not sure which one is better in terms of comfort, reliability, border process, and overall experience.

I'll probably be traveling light, and I’m open to either Montevideo or Colonia as a first stop, just want the smoothest option!

If anyone has taken either ferry recently, I’d really appreciate your thoughts or recommendations. Is it worth paying more for Buquebus? Or is Colonia Express just as good?

Thanks in advance! 😊

 

[Jasmine]

I’ve taken both, and honestly, Buquebus feels way more professional and comfortable. Bigger boats, smoother ride, and the terminals are a bit more organized. It’s a bit pricier, but worth it, especially if you want a more relaxing trip.

 

[JoeM]

Colonia Express is definitely the cheaper option. It’s not as fancy and the terminal in Buenos Aires can be a little chaotic, but I’ve never had major issues. If you're just trying to get across the river without spending too much, it gets the job done.

 

[NatalieBA]

Just did BA to Montevideo with Buquebus and came back via Colonia Express. Buquebus was super smooth, fast immigration, comfy seats. Colonia Express was a bit slower, and the ferry was smaller and more crowded, but it worked fine. I’d use Buquebus again if it’s not crazy expensive that day.

 

[Jakoval]

I'm taking Colonia Express tomorrow on a one day trip and come back on the last ferry. The website says I should arrive at the terminal 1.30 hours prior to departure. Do I really need to arrive that early? Or perhaps 1 hour will suffice? Any info will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Betsy Ross]

I'm taking Colonia Express tomorrow on a one day trip and come back on the last ferry. The website says I should arrive at the terminal 1.30 hours prior to departure. Do I really need to arrive that early? Or perhaps 1 hour will suffice? Any info will be greatly appreciated!

Hello @Jakoval. They always say to arrive earlier. It can be hectic sometimes during the vacation season but usually I just go 1 hour before. You will be ok.

 

[GlasgowJohn]

Buquebus hope to have their new vessel , built in Australia, available sometime in February . Its an all electric ferry and will be used on the Colonia route , at least initially.
Its bigger than the Francisco , the vessel they use on the Montevideo route

Colonia Express is not sleeping , they have acquired another vessel ( second-hand) and they will start a service to Montevideo. No definite dates yet.

 

[GlasgowJohn]

 

[GlasgowJohn]

Nuevo buque China Zorrilla 100% eléctrico

El nuevo ferry eléctrico China Zorrilla es un concepto totalmente disruptivo. Su foco es la sustentabilidad y un nivel de experiencia superior para los pasajeros.

buquebus.com

 

[Blockchain]

Buquebus hope to have their new vessel , built in Australia, available sometime in February . Its an all electric ferry and will be used on the Colonia route , at least initially.
Its bigger than the Francisco , the vessel they use on the Montevideo route

Colonia Express is not sleeping , they have acquired another vessel ( second-hand) and they will start a service to Montevideo. No definite dates yet.

Wow that thing looks nice. Good to see them investing in the future. I am in BA now. Normally is much busier but the town seems dead with tourists. Not very many compared to last year.

 

[GlasgowJohn]

Wow that thing looks nice. Good to see them investing in the future. I am in BA now. Normally is much busier but the town seems dead with tourists. Not very many compared to last year.

Without a doubt there are less tourists at the moment.
Quite astonishing to see the fall in the number of Brazilians....

 

[Jakoval]

Hello @Jakoval. They always say to arrive earlier. It can be hectic sometimes during the vacation season but usually I just go 1 hour before. You will be ok.

We arrived about 1.5 hours early, as recommended on the website, but the ferry ended up being delayed by 1 hour and 15 minutes anyway, so we were left waiting at the terminal for quite a long time. What I hadn’t realized was that Argentine citizens only need to go through immigration once on each side. My friends, who are Australian citizens, had to do it twice, and I didn’t know that at the time. Since we were directed into separate lanes, I had already passed through long before they finished with Migraciones.

On the way back from Colonia, though, something kind of funny happened. Both my friends and I went through the e-gates, and then I handed my Argentine passport to the Uruguayan immigration officer. She stamped it and told me to go straight upstairs to the gate area. I hesitated because I saw some people—who I later realized were foreigners—lining up at Argentine immigration right next to it. When my eyes met those of the Argentine immigration officer, he gestured for me to join the line as well. When it was finally my turn and I handed over my passport, he immediately realized I wasn’t a foreigner and told me to go straight upstairs to the gate area instead. I guess my face didn't quite match the passport 🤣

 

[Blockchain]

We arrived about 1.5 hours early, as recommended on the website, but the ferry ended up being delayed by 1 hour and 15 minutes anyway, so we were left waiting at the terminal for quite a long time. What I hadn’t realized was that Argentine citizens only need to go through immigration once on each side. My friends, who are Australian citizens, had to do it twice, and I didn’t know that at the time. Since we were directed into separate lanes, I had already passed through long before they finished with Migraciones.

On the way back from Colonia, though, something kind of funny happened. Both my friends and I went through the e-gates, and then I handed my Argentine passport to the Uruguayan immigration officer. She stamped it and told me to go straight upstairs to the gate area. I hesitated because I saw some people—who I later realized were foreigners—lining up at Argentine immigration right next to it. When my eyes met those of the Argentine immigration officer, he gestured for me to join the line as well. When it was finally my turn and I handed over my passport, he immediately realized I wasn’t a foreigner and told me to go straight upstairs to the gate area instead. I guess my face didn't quite match the passport 🤣

That is hilarious. I wouldn't think a ferry would get delayed so long. What was the reason they gave for the delay? Great you got your Argentine passport.

I want to make a trip over to Uruguay. Thanks for posting about your experience. I will make sure I don't show up so early.

 

[Jakoval]

That is hilarious. I wouldn't think a ferry would get delayed so long. What was the reason they gave for the delay? Great you got your Argentine passport.

I want to make a trip over to Uruguay. Thanks for posting about your experience. I will make sure I don't show up so early.

They didn't give a reason at all. On the screen it just said the ferry was delayed till 21:30. And I didn't care to ask. 🤷

 

[Betsy Ross]

They didn't give a reason at all. On the screen it just said the ferry was delayed till 21:30. And I didn't care to ask. 🤷

Typical Argentina. Several times when I have gone it was also late. I couldn't figure out why a ferry would be late but sometimes I saw cars still driving up even after the scheduled departure time.

 

[Wally]

We arrived about 1.5 hours early, as recommended on the website, but the ferry ended up being delayed by 1 hour and 15 minutes anyway, so we were left waiting at the terminal for quite a long time. What I hadn’t realized was that Argentine citizens only need to go through immigration once on each side. My friends, who are Australian citizens, had to do it twice, and I didn’t know that at the time. Since we were directed into separate lanes, I had already passed through long before they finished with Migraciones.

On the way back from Colonia, though, something kind of funny happened. Both my friends and I went through the e-gates, and then I handed my Argentine passport to the Uruguayan immigration officer. She stamped it and told me to go straight upstairs to the gate area. I hesitated because I saw some people—who I later realized were foreigners—lining up at Argentine immigration right next to it. When my eyes met those of the Argentine immigration officer, he gestured for me to join the line as well. When it was finally my turn and I handed over my passport, he immediately realized I wasn’t a foreigner and told me to go straight upstairs to the gate area instead. I guess my face didn't quite match the passport 🤣

Jakoval was it busy in Uruguay? Did you just go to Montevideo? This is always a busy time of year for Argentines heading over to Uruguay but many of our friends are skipping it altogether this year and going to Miami.

 

[Jakoval]

Jakoval was it busy in Uruguay? Did you just go to Montevideo? This is always a busy time of year for Argentines heading over to Uruguay but many of our friends are skipping it altogether this year and going to Miami.

I went to Colonia and it wasn't very busy.

 

[GlasgowJohn]

I use the ferry every 6 - 8 weeks and to be honest I have only had one delay in excess of 15 minutes , in almost ten years.

Mechanical delays do happen from time to time but i have been quite lucky.

 

[Jakoval]

Typical Argentina. Several times when I have gone it was also late. I couldn't figure out why a ferry would be late but sometimes I saw cars still driving up even after the scheduled departure time.

By the time we were onboard it was like 10pm and we arrived back in CABA around 11:30pm. Long day. Oh and the ride back was super bumpy. I went downstairs to check out duty free shop and everyone in there was holding on to the railing on the product shelves. I normally don't get sea sick but I felt slightly dizzy.

 

[Good Stuff]

I enjoy the back deck on the Buquebus to enjoy a nice breeze. The Colonia Express lacks the outdoor feature. For that reason I choose Buquebus everytime because I like to lean into the wind and tell myself I'm free.