Overview
Iguazu Falls is one of the world's truly great natural spectacles: a horseshoe of some 275 individual cascades straddling the border of Argentina and Brazil, set within lush subtropical rainforest and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Argentine side, reached via Iguazu Falls Airport (IGR) near Puerto Iguazú, gives travellers the closest, most immersive access to the thundering Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat). For UK travellers planning flights to Iguazu Falls, it's a bucket-list destination that pairs brilliantly with a wider Argentina or South America itinerary.
Best time to fly to Iguazu Falls
Iguazu sees rain year-round, but the most comfortable months to fly are the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to November, when temperatures are milder and humidity lower. Argentine summer (December to February) brings intense heat, high water flow and busy local holiday crowds, which can push fares up. July is Argentine school-holiday season and tends to be drier with lower water levels but busier flights. Use the When to book chart above to spot the best-value months for your dates.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights to Iguazu Falls from the UK, so every itinerary involves at least one connection. The most common route is British Airways non-stop from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires (around 13 hours 45 minutes), followed by a domestic hop of roughly 1 hour 50 minutes to IGR with Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi or JetSmart. Alternatives include flying via Madrid with Iberia, or via São Paulo with British Airways or LATAM and connecting onward to Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side. Allow around 18-20 hours door to door once connections are factored in.
Things to do in Iguazu Falls
Beyond the falls themselves, the national park offers a genuine range of ways to experience the rainforest and river.
- Garganta del Diablo: A short train and walkway ride leads to the most powerful and dramatic of all the cascades.
- Circuito Superior and Inferior: Upper and lower walking trails giving contrasting views from above and below the falls.
- Gran Aventura boat safari: A speedboat ride that takes you right up to the base of the falls for an unforgettable soaking.
- Isla San Martín: A short boat crossing to an island with its own viewpoints over the lower falls.
- Hito Tres Fronteras: A viewpoint marking where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet at the confluence of two rivers.
At Iguazu Falls Airport (IGR)
Iguazu Falls Airport sits around 20km from Puerto Iguazú town centre and about 18km from the national park entrance. Taxis and remises are readily available outside arrivals and take roughly 20-30 minutes into town, while pre-booked shuttle transfers are a cheaper shared option many hotels can arrange. Car hire desks are also on-site if you'd like the flexibility to explore both sides of the falls independently.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Iguazu Falls
- Book connecting itineraries 2-3 months ahead, as domestic legs to IGR can sell out around Argentine holiday periods.
- Fly midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) rather than weekends to avoid the busiest and priciest departures.
- Stay flexible with dates either side of the shoulder seasons for the best balance of price and weather.
- Compare full-service carriers via Buenos Aires against multi-leg options through São Paulo using the price charts on this page.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa to enter Argentina for tourist stays of up to 90 days, and the same applies if you cross to the Brazilian side. The local currency is the Argentine Peso (ARS); exchange rates can be volatile, so it's worth carrying some GBP or USD cash alongside a card for the best rates. No mandatory vaccinations are required for UK travellers, though routine vaccines and mosquito precautions are sensible given the rainforest setting.
