💦💦 Brazil + Argentina in a single day

How to See Both Sides of Iguazu Falls in One Day

Yes, you can do it. Start on the Argentine side when it opens, cross the border at lunchtime and finish on the Brazil side. Here's the exact timing we give our own travellers, and how a private driver makes it easy.

Argentina 08:00 Brazil 09:00🛂 Skip the line of cars🧳 Bags on board
In short: leave your hotel early, enter the Argentine side at 08:00, see the Devil's Throat and both trails, and meet your driver at 13:00. After the border you reach the Brazil side by about 14:00–14:30 and walk the Cataratas Trail until closing. With a private transfer, your luggage stays in the vehicle and you can start or finish at either airport.

🤔 Argentina first or Brazil first?

⭐ Our recommendation

Argentina first

  • It opens at 08:00, an hour before Brazil, so you get more time in total
  • It's the bigger park, with a train and about 3 hours of walking
  • You walk its open trails in the cooler morning
  • Time for a sit-down lunch

See the Argentina-first timing

Brazil first

  • Best when you finish the day in Puerto Iguazú or fly from the IGR airport
  • Best when you land at IGU in the morning
  • The Brazil side takes about 2.5 to 3 hours
  • No time for a proper lunch: eat in the vehicle between the parks

See the Brazil-first timing

⏱️ Both sides in one day, hour by hour

These are the timings we suggest to our own clients. On the day, you and your driver can adjust them for the weather, the queues and how fast you walk.

  1. Pick-up in Foz do IguaçuThe early border crossing can take as little as 20 minutes.
  2. …or pick-up in Puerto IguazúNo border before the Argentine park.
  3. Enter the Argentine park as it opensBe at the gate by about 07:45 to buy tickets and join the line. It's a 5-minute walk to Central Station.
  4. First train from Central StationTrains then leave every 30 minutes. The ride to Garganta Station takes about 20 minutes.
  5. Walk the boardwalk to the Devil's ThroatAbout 20 minutes on a metal walkway over the river.
  6. Devil's Throat lookoutSpend up to 40 minutes here: it's the most powerful view of the whole trip. 💦
  7. Train back to Cataratas StationLeave the lookout by 09:40 to catch it.
  8. Upper Trail (Paseo Superior)About 40 minutes, walking along the top of the falls.
  9. Lower Trail (Paseo Inferior)About 1 hour. More steps and more photo stops, close to the water.
  10. Lunch break, about 40 minutesKiosks near Cataratas Station and the entrance sell empanadas, sandwiches and hot dogs, or bring a picnic.
  11. Meet your driver and cross into BrazilYour driver meets you at the entrance and takes you through Argentine and Brazilian immigration.
  12. Arrive at the Brazil sideBetween 14:00 and 14:30, depending on traffic at the border. Take the free park bus to the Hotel das Cataratas stop (about 20 minutes).
  13. Cataratas Trail to the Devil's Throat1.2 km of viewpoints with the panorama across to Argentina, ending on the walkway and the elevator to Porto Canoas.
  14. Last buses from Porto CanoasThey take you back to the park entrance by closing time.
  15. Brazil park closes: your driver takes you onAbout 30 minutes to a Foz do Iguaçu hotel, 10 minutes to the IGU airport, or back across the border to Puerto Iguazú (hotel 19:00–19:30, IGR airport by about 20:00).
The Devil's Throat at Iguazu Falls seen from the Argentine boardwalk
The Devil's Throat from the Argentine boardwalk: go first thing, before the crowds.
Why the timings work: trains, trails and the border, in detail

Argentine side. From the entrance it's about 5 minutes on foot to Central Station. The first train leaves around 08:15 and then every 30 minutes; it takes about 20 minutes to Garganta Station. From there a metal boardwalk (about 20 minutes) leads to the Devil's Throat lookout. Come back on the train but get off at Cataratas Station for the Upper Trail (about 40 minutes) and the Lower Trail (about 1 hour, with more steps).

The border. With average traffic it takes about 40 minutes to stamp out of one country and into the other; early in the morning it can be 20 minutes. There's more traffic at lunchtime, which is why we allow 1 to 1.5 hours between the parks.

Brazil side. After the ticket office, the free park bus takes about 20 minutes to the third stop, Mirante Principal / Hotel das Cataratas, in front of the big pink historic hotel. The Cataratas Trail is 1.2 km of viewpoints ending at the Brazilian Devil's Throat walkway and an elevator up to Porto Canoas, where the buses back to the entrance leave (the last ones around 17:30).

Park hours change from time to time. Check the Brazil park and Argentine park before you go.

🚐 Choose your same-day route

Every route is a private transfer with hotel or airport pick-up and drop-off, help at each immigration stop and your bags on board. Pick where you start and where you finish the day.

Need something else, like starting and finishing at the IGU airport, or adding the boat trip? Ask us for a price.

08:00Argentine side opens
09:00Brazil side opens (08:30 at weekends)
20–40 minborder crossing between the parks
16:00last entry on both sides
Skip the line of cars

How we skip the line of cars at the Iguazu border

On busy days the line of cars at Argentine immigration can take hours. We avoid it in two ways, depending on how many of you are travelling. Every transfer is private: just your group.

🚗 Cars · 1 to 4 passengers

Our two-car system

1🚗

Driver 1 takes you to the border

Your first driver brings you past the queue to Argentine immigration and points out your second driver.

2🚶

Walk through immigration

You stamp your passport with your bags. Your second driver waits about 25 metres away.

3🚙

Driver 2 takes you on

Straight into the car on the other side and on to the falls, your hotel or the airport.

🚐 Vans · 5 to 12 passengers

The tourist corridor

1🚐

Into the tourist corridor

Your van leaves the line of cars and takes the lane for tourism vehicles at Argentine immigration.

2🚌

A much shorter line

Only vans and tour buses use the corridor, so there are far fewer vehicles ahead of you.

3🧳

Same van, same driver

No change of vehicle. Your group and your luggage stay together all the way.

Brazilian immigrationCars and vans: no vehicle change. Your driver parks, shows you where to go and waits while you get your stamp.
👥 More than 12 people?We use minibuses and coaches, with a local coordinator. Group transport.
Travelling with luggage

Flying in or out on your both-sides day?

Your luggage stays locked in the vehicle while you visit both parks. Start at the airport, finish at your hotel or flight, and never carry a suitcase around the falls.

Plan my day with luggage

🚤 Can you add the boat trip under the falls?

Yes, but expect to rush a little. The boat trip takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. On the Argentina-first plan, skip the Upper Trail and keep lunch to about 15 minutes, or eat in the vehicle between the parks.

Park tickets are not included. You can pay at each park or buy online in advance; we send you the links in your confirmation email. Entrance fees.

Rainbow over Iguazu Falls seen from the walkways
Rainbows are common in the afternoon on the Brazil side.

🚐 Our cars, vans, minibuses and coaches

Every transfer is private. We send the right vehicle for your group and your luggage, with a local driver who crosses the border every day.

Grey Chevrolet Spin with the Iguazu Falls Travel logo, private car for 1 to 4 passengers in Foz do Iguaçu1 to 4 passengers

🚗 Private car

Chevrolet Spin, Toyota Corolla or similar

🧳 4 suitcases + 4 small bags

White Chevrolet Spin with the Iguazu Falls Travel logo
Get a price →
Iguazu Falls Travel Mercedes Sprinter van at the departures entrance of Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU)5 to 12 passengers

🚐 Private van

Mercedes Sprinter, Renault Master or similar

🧳 12 suitcases + 15 small bags

White Iguazu Falls Travel Renault Master tourism vanIguazu Falls Travel Mercedes Sprinter van at a hotel entrance
Get a price →
White Iguazu Falls Travel minibus with the company logo outside a hotel at sunset13 to 26 passengers

🚌 Minibus

Marcopolo Senior or similar, with a local coordinator

🧳 Luggage space for the whole group

Iguazu Falls Travel minibus at a hotel entrance at nightBlue reclining seats inside a 25-seat minibus
See the minibuses →
Silver 44-seat coach picking up a tour group at a hotel in Foz do Iguaçu26 to 46 passengers

🚍 Coach

Full-size coaches with a big luggage hold

🧳 Big hold for the whole group

Blue reclining seats inside a 44-seat group coachCoach entrance steps with handrails
Group transport →
  • ✅ Vehicles no older than 5 years
  • 🛡️ Insured in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay
  • 🎓 Drivers trained at Sest Senat
  • 🔒 Private: never shared

See the whole fleet, with photos →

Smiling Iguazu Falls Travel driver giving a thumbs up at the wheel
Crossing the border every day

🧑‍✈️ Meet your local drivers

Our drivers live in Foz do Iguaçu and cross the Brazil–Argentina border every day. They know the immigration posts, the park entrances and the quickest way around the traffic, so you don't have to.

  • 🪧Waits for you at arrivals with your name
  • 🛂Shows you where to go at each immigration post
  • 🧳Loads your bags and keeps them locked in the vehicle
  • 💡Local tips for the falls: what to see first and how long you need
  • 🎓Trained at Sest Senat and licensed for tourist transport
★★★★★

“Drivers were friendly, punctual, and great at guiding us through the border crossing process.”

Emma H. · Google
★★★★★

“He made our plan work like a clock with his local knowledge. He even gave suggestions that made our trip even better.”

Norbert C. · Google

💬 Get a price for your both-sides day

Tell us your date, how many of you are travelling and where you start and finish. We plan the timing around park hours, your flights and the border, and email you the total price for a private car or van.

  • 🚗 Car for 1 to 4, 🚐 van for 5 to 12, minibus or coach for bigger groups
  • 🧳 Luggage stays in the vehicle all day
  • 🛂 Help at every immigration stop
  • ✈️ Start or finish at the IGU or IGR airport

Rather chat? WhatsApp +55 11 91086-6106.

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Real help from locals

Not sure your day works? Ask a local

Send us your flights and hotels. We'll tell you honestly what fits, and plan the border crossings for you.

Five-star rated on Google and Tripadvisor

Travellers who saw both sides in one day

Brazil, Argentina and the border, in their own words.

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor
    “I highly recommend to anyone who are looking for a smooth, easy and fast experience especially if you pressed for time. We wanted to see the falls from Argentina and from Brazil side and it is totally doable and we did not have to compromise on anything.”

    Shoba S.Dec 2023

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor
    “Amazing experience at the falls. did both sides of falls, Argentina side was better ( in our opinion). The power of the falls is overwhelming and the beauty of the nature surrounding the falls is amazing, the butterflies on the Argentina side are beautiful.”

    sarahNov 2025

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor

    Fantastic experience with Nestor!

    “Genuinely Nestor was such a highlight of our trip - he took us to both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides and took us on the best circuits, we had such a wonderful time with him and really do recommend him to anyone debating whether they should do it!”

    Shreya B.Aug 2026

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor
    “The experience at the border was so easy and the drivers explained everything. They took care of logistics I didn’t expect like getting a driver from the Argentina side and the Brazil side. Told me the timeframe I had based on what I wanted to do/see.”

    Alexis C.Feb 2026

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor

    Perfect Service

    “We used Iguazu Falls Travel to provide a pick up from IGR airport and visit the falls on the Argentina side then a transfer to visit the falls on the Brazil side and afterwards the 3 borders and back to IGR airport for our flights back to Buenos Aires. As we only had one day the timings were critical to us and Iguazu Falls Travel provided the perfect service.”

    Martin R.Mar 2025

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor

    Great Transfer by an Organized and Efficient Company

    “Using Iguazu Falls Travel was a very wise decision as I was arriving by plane in Foz de Iguaçu, meaning the Brazil side, but was immediately going to Puerto de Iguazu, i.e. the Argentina side, and returning to the Brazil side the same evening.”

    Mike P.Feb 2026

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor

    Easiest way to see the Argentinian side of the falls

    “The transfer to the Argentinian side of the falls was perfectly organised. We were picked up on time and the process of going through the border was very quick. Our driver on the other side agreed a pick up time but also gave us his WhatsApp number (there is WiFi) so we were able to move our departure time back.”

    Becky C.Nov 2024

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor
    “Thanks to them, I was able to visit both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of Iguazu Falls, which are absolutely stunning regardless of the weather. Clovis went above and beyond by helping me rebook my waterfall entry time and suggesting that I visit the Bird Park first – excellent advice, as it turned out to be well worth seeing.”

    MonikaJun 2026

  • ★★★★★Google
    “We flew down early afternoon from São Paulo and wanted to visit the Brazilian side of the falls before moving over to the Argentinian side and staying in Puerto Iguaza for 2 nights. Rather than mess around with buses and taxis this was the perfect solution. We got picked up and dropped off then just messaged our driver to pick us up.”

    Chimay D.Oct 2024

  • ★★★★★Google
    “I highly recommend this transfer company! I organized transfer from the entrance of the Brazil side of Foz do Iguaçu National park to the Argentinian side. They confirmed by WhatsApp the day before and the morning of. The driver was a cautious driver and drove very well especially considering there was so much rain. It was so easy.”

    Brooke O.Oct 2026

  • ★★★★★Google
    “Transfer from IGR to resort and then from the resort to Brazilian side of Iguazu and transfer to IGU was really seemless and hasslefree. Both Daniel on Argentinian side and Nestor on Brazilian side were terrific. I was worried about luggage transfer etc. and Iguazu Falls Travel made it so seamless. Great team”

    Nitin U.Dec 2025

  • ★★★★★Tripadvisor

    Excellent service with a professional team.

    “Excellent and very professional, we travelled from our hotel on the Argentine side to the airport on the Brazil side via the Brazilian park. Drivers were very kind and helpful, our journey was very smooth thanks to them. We wish we had used them earlier for the Argentinian side . Would definitely recommend them.”

    AmigademariaMar 2024

  • ★★★★★Google
    “This transfer service was amazing! Their website was incredibly clear with instructions for exactly how I could go to the Argentina side of the falls just for the day, despite all the confusing regulations and rules due to the pandemic. They picked me up at my hotel on the Brazilian side, got me across to the Argentina side, and then brought me back to the airport.”

    Merri E.Jan 2022

  • ★★★★★Google
    “Great organization and timeliness, fast and safe same-day transfer from IGU to the Argentinian side and back to the Brazilian side of the falls, and finally to our hotel, with great tips about what to focus on since we visited Iguazu for a day only.”

    Christos P.May 2026

  • ★★★★★Google
    “The drivers on both side were on time, friendly, and resourceful. Shout out especially to Clovis, who drove me to the Brazilian side of the falls, he was awesome!”

    Michael S.Feb 2025

  • ★★★★★Google
    “Prompt, efficient, always on time, friendly, very professional and excellent responsive communication by Ronny over emails and Nestor over WhatsApp. Used for pick-up from Brazil Iguazu airport, to view the Argentinian side of the Iguazu Falls, and drop-off at the Argentinian Iguazu airport while staying on the Brazil side.”

    Slabbs 7.Oct 2026

1–3 of 16Read all our reviewsTravelled with us? Leave a review

Both sides in one day: quick questions

Can you see both sides of Iguazu Falls in one day?

Yes. With an early start, a private driver and our way of skipping the line of cars at the border, you get about 4.5 hours on the Argentine side and about 3 hours on the Brazil side. It's a full day, but very doable.

Which side should I visit first?

The Argentine side, if you can. It opens at 08:00 (an hour before Brazil), it's bigger and has more walking, and you do its open trails before the midday heat. Start in Brazil when you're finishing the day in Puerto Iguazú or flying from the IGR airport.

How long does the border take between the two parks?

Usually about 40 minutes with average traffic, and as little as 20 minutes early in the day. Cars skip the line with our two-car system, and vans use the tourist corridor.

What time should I leave my hotel?

For Argentina first: 06:45 from Foz do Iguaçu, or 07:25 from Puerto Iguazú. For Brazil first: about 08:15 from Foz do Iguaçu, or 07:15–07:45 from Puerto Iguazú.

Can I do both sides on my arrival or departure day?

Often, yes. Land early (about 08:00 at IGU or 08:30 at IGR for Argentina first) and your bags stay in the vehicle all day. For an evening flight, see the times on each route above or ask us.

Is it a guided tour?

No. It's a private transfer: your driver takes you between your hotel, both parks and the border, and you explore at your own pace. You can add a private English-speaking guide.

Do I need my passport?

Yes, everyone including children. You cross the border twice or more on this day. Passport guide.

Ready for your both-sides day?

Tell us your date and where you're staying. We'll plan the timing and send you a price within 24 hours.