Practical guide
Getting from Asunción Airport to the City
Silvio Pettirossi sits in Luque, 21–25 minutes by car from the Asunción malls. Pick a ride app, the official taxi stand, the ₲3,400 E3 bus or a hotel pickup. Here is how each one works.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Where you find it | How you pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ride app (Bolt, Uber) | Pickup point shown in the app | In the app, price shown first | Luggage, a known price |
| Official taxi | Taxi stand at the terminal | Agree the fare at the stand | No data on your phone |
| Electric bus E3 | Airport roundabout | Transport card | Light bags, daytime, low budget |
| Hotel pickup | Arranged with your hotel before you fly | As agreed with the hotel | Late arrivals, first visits, groups |
Before you land: data and a way to pay
Ride apps need mobile data to find your driver. If your plan has no roaming, our SIM card guide covers Tigo, Personal and tourist eSIMs you can set up before you fly.
Install Bolt or Uber at home and add a card. Our guide to taxis and ride apps covers the rest.
Ride apps from the airport (Bolt and Uber)
Bolt and Uber both run airport pickups at Silvio Pettirossi. Request a ride after you land and the app sends you to the meeting point. That spot may not be at your nearest exit, so follow the app, not the crowd.
Both apps show the price before you confirm. Before you get in, match the car, plate and driver name with the app.
Bolt also lists a Moto ride as its cheapest option. (Paraguay has a long tradition of four people on one moto. With two suitcases, take the car.)
Taxis at Asunción airport
The official taxis for arriving passengers belong to Cooperativa Mburuvicha, which works under a contract with DINAC, the civil aviation authority that runs the airport. DINAC renewed that contract in July 2024 for five years, on the condition that the cooperative replace all 44 cars with new Kia, Hyundai and Toyota models.
Ask the fare at the stand and agree on it before you leave the curb.
By city bus: the electric E3
Since March 9, 2026, the E3 electric bus has linked the airport with the Puerto de Asunción, on the edge of the historic center. The public works ministry's transport office (MOPC and VMT) runs it with the Consorcio Arapoti. It stops only at fixed, signed stops, and the fare is ₲3,400.
Toward the city, the E3 leaves from the airport roundabout and runs down Avenida Aviador Silvio Pettirossi, Aviadores del Chaco, San Martín and Avenida Perú, then ends at the Oficinas de Gobierno by the port.
Paying. You need a transport card, not cash. See how bus cards work and where to buy one.
When it makes sense. A daytime landing, a backpack and a loaded card: take the bus. Two suitcases or a midnight arrival: take a car.
Pre-booked transfers and hotel pickups
Ask your hotel whether it does airport pickups, what it charges and where the driver will wait. Get the answer in writing before you fly.
How long the ride takes
Bolt's own route estimates, read on October 5, 2026:
- To Shopping del Sol: 9 km, 21 minutes, ₲28,367 for a standard Bolt car.
- To Shopping Mariscal: 11.4 km, 25 minutes, ₲34,314 for a standard Bolt car.
The E3 takes longer than a car because it stops along the way. Staying near those malls? Our Villa Morra guide covers the neighborhood.
Going back to Silvio Pettirossi International Airport
DINAC recommends arriving 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic one. Add your ride time on top. (Your flight runs on airline time, not hora paraguaya.)
Uber lets you reserve a ride in advance, which helps for early-morning and late-night flights.
Avoid overpaying
- Use the official taxi stand or a ride app.
- In a ride app, the price shows before you confirm. Compare it with Bolt's estimates above.
- In a taxi, agree the fare before the car moves.
- Check the car, plate and driver against the app before you get in.
- Carry small notes so change is easy. Our guide to taxis and ride apps has more on paying.
Landing between December and February? Read our guide to the summer heat first.
FAQ
What is the name of Asunción's airport?
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, named after the Paraguayan aviator. It sits in Luque, next to Asunción.
What is the airport code for Asunción?
ASU.
Do Bolt and Uber work at Asunción airport?
Yes. Both pick up at Silvio Pettirossi, and the app shows the meeting point after you request a ride.
How much is a ride from the airport to Asunción?
On October 5, 2026, Bolt estimated ₲28,367 to Shopping del Sol and ₲34,314 to Shopping Mariscal for a standard car. The app shows your exact price before you confirm.
Is there a bus from the airport to the city?
Yes. The electric E3 runs from the airport roundabout to the Puerto de Asunción for ₲3,400, paid with a transport card.
How long does it take to get from the airport to Asunción?
Bolt estimates 21 minutes to Shopping del Sol and 25 minutes to Shopping Mariscal by car.
Just landed? Join Open Asu on WhatsApp and say hi. Once your bags are down, here are things to do in Asunción.