Friendship Bridge: the best time to cross without a line

Quick answer: The best times to cross Friendship Bridge with minimal lines are 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., when Paraguayan shops open and early arrivals cross quickly, or after 3 p.m. when shopping traffic drops. Avoid 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and late afternoon heading into Brazil. Crossing on foot is almost always faster than by car during peak hours.

The Friendship Bridge is one of the busiest crossings in South America, and the line depends a lot on the time and day.

Best times (shorter lines):

• 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.: when Paraguayan shops open; those who arrive early cross quickly and still make the most of the day
• After 3 p.m., shopping traffic drops in the mid-afternoon

Worst times (longer lines):

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: peak of those who went shopping
• Late afternoon heading into Brazil, everyone returns at the same time, and Brazilian customs concentrates the checks

What crowds the bridge most:

• Weekends (Saturday especially)
• Holidays in Brazil OR Paraguay, on a holiday on either side the flow surges
• Christmas Eve and promotion dates at CDE's shops

On foot vs. by car: crossing on foot is almost always faster than by car during peak hours, the line of vehicles at customs can take more than an hour, while pedestrians cross via the walkway.

Plan with data: check today's border traffic forecast and the holidays of the three countries before you go. Bring a valid document.

Source: practical guidance from the Marco Três newsroom · verified in Jun/2026