Bus to the Falls: line 120 in Foz do Iguaçu

Direct answer: Take line 120 (Parque Nacional) at the urban bus terminal (TTU) downtown. It stops at the airport and ends at the Visitor Centre of Iguazu Falls. The city fare is R$ 5, the ride takes about 30 minutes from the terminal and 20 minutes from the airport. The bus stops at the gate: the internal transport to the walkways comes with your ticket.

It is the cheapest way to reach the falls, and it works well. What usually goes wrong is not the trip out, it is the trip back.

The route, in order

1. TTU (downtown terminal). Lines from across the city arrive there, so you can come from anywhere on a single fare.
2. Airport. Line 120 stops at the airport, which makes it the cheapest option if you land and want to head straight to the park or into town.
3. Parque das Aves. It sits on the same avenue, right next to the National Park entrance, so the same bus serves both attractions.
4. Visitor Centre. End of the line. Here you buy your ticket and board the park's internal bus.

What it really costs

For two people, return, transport comes to R$ 20. A taxi or ride-hailing trip from downtown to the gate costs several times that. Ticket prices and exemptions are in Iguazu Falls tickets.

The mistake that ends in a taxi fare

The park closes at 17:30 and the last line 120 departures run in the late afternoon. If you enter late, take the internal circuit slowly and leave at closing time, you risk missing the last bus and paying for a ride back exactly when everyone leaves at once and app prices climb.

Two simple defences: arrive early and check the day's timetable when you get there, noting the last departure. Frequency changes between weekdays and weekends.

Who should choose something else

• Anyone with a large suitcase. The urban bus has no luggage hold; a transfer works better.
• A group of four. From there, a shared ride tends to match the total of four fares.
• Anyone leaving after the park closes, for the reason above.

Full comparison of the options in getting around Foz do Iguaçu and, if you are coming from the airport, airport to downtown.

Before you board

• Go early: the park's first hour is the quietest. Detail in what time to go to avoid queues.
• Check the day's conditions before setting out, because the river drives the visit: how the Falls are today.

Source: Foz do Iguaçu municipal tourism department (public transport fare) and Foztrans (route and timetable for line 0120 Parque Nacional). Timetables change: check the current table on the day of your visit.