Colonia Express?

[citygirl]

Can someone fill me in on it? A friend of mine wants to go to Colonia and it seems the prices on Colonia Express are substantially cheaper than on BoqueBus.

ETA - Just found an old thread which answered a bunch of my questions. However, are all the boats rapid boats? They have different prices listed for economy and express - are they the same boat?

I'm trying to help her out but their website is confusing to me. I haven't been to Colonia in years so I'm not a huge amount of help here.

 

[BaltRochGirl]

It leaves from the other end of Puerto Madero, nearer to La Boca but not sure if it's considered a part of it, it's a little past the Casino entrance. I believe all their boats are 1 hour, they're smaller and not as fancy but otherwise pretty much the same trip. They land and depart from the same terminal in Colonia as the Buquebus and Seacat land at.

 

[DontMindMe]

Colonia Express ferries depart from and arrive to the terminal near La Boca. I took a taxi last time early in the morning and was very glad I did. I have never seen anything about a speedy boat. Perhaps she could call them to make sure?

The ferries are smaller than Buquebus ferries, but they still have a duty free shop and a little cafe counter to buy coffee, medialunas, etc. It was rainy and windy the last time I took one, and the whole boat was lurching up and down in the air the whole time, causing a good 70% of the passengers to throw up the whole trip. The staff was great, though, running around passing out bags. So if your friend has a history of motion sickness and the weather doesn't look good, she might prefer Buquebus despite the extra cost.

 

[citygirl]

Thanks guys - I think I'm going to advise her to go BoqueBus, she doesn't speak Spanish and it just seems like that might be a little bit easier.

Cheers!

 

[BaltRochGirl]

it's really not bad, and depending on how far in advance you're planning you can save quite a bit. You can take a cab there from the subte too to save on the trip but avoid walking to the terminal. She should also check the Seacat prices, that one leaves from the Buquebus terminal.

With all routes I always suggest bringing some motion sickness drugs if you're sensitive as the weather is really tough on the smaller boats, which is what they use for most of the 1 hr trips.

 

[irina]

I thought Colonia Express was perfectly fine and comfortable. I went with my parents, and my mother can be picky, and they loved it.
They also have the best deals! I got the 98 peso day trip special and it was fantastic.

Seacat is also a good, cheap option.

 

[scotttswan]

Colonia Express is good and fast, I've taken the Buquebus once before and tbh its really not worth spending more money on Buquebus. although you do get to enjoy some ancient arcade and pinball machines on buquebus.

I'd also recommend taking a taxi to and from the colonia express port, but other than that its the obvious choice.

 

[Crema Americana]

Buquebus won't save you! I bought a ticket only to spend 3 hours in the bathroom stall hunched over the toilet (at least the stall had air-conditioning.) Who would have thought you could get so sick on a big ferry?

The first time we went we traveled in the "first" class or whatever it's called because there weren't any tickets left... it was nice, but honestly I'd just go the cheapest 1-hour way possible. The frills aren't really worth it.

 

[wineguy999]

It's true the frills aren't really worth it. But getting away from all the screaming children is priceless.

 

[oksanache]

Colonia Express could be fast, convenient and all that IF it does not break. Which happens. And THEN you are stuck in Colonia, unless BouqueBus is not fully booked and they would let you in. It happened to my kids.