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I'm possibly thinking about flying into Buenos Aires, then taking a bus (or train?) to Asuncion? any recommendations as to making this journey? I'm sure its cheaper than flying but is it work the extra time?

Regis

Wow - that is one long bus ride. I'd say 24 hours or so. No trains to be had out that way. You could break it up and go to Resistancia or head into Jujuy & Salta, tho' that's overshooting it a bit.

Depending on how much time you have, I'd take a flight. Likely, it would be cheaper to fly into Salta and then take a bus up from there. It's still a long bus ride to get there.

What i might do is take the bus to Iguazu Falls, spend a day or 2 there, then head to Asuncion......

That's what I might have suggested, but that depends on the kind of traveller you are. Be very cautious with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. More specifically, watch out on the border crossing - when I went, you had to walk accross it as no bus would take you there and there are a lot of reported thefts along there. I didn't have any problem, but I did feel pretty damned paranoid.

Regis, my best bet would be: Take a bus from Buenos Aires to Asunción. There are many good companies: NSA (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción), RYSA, Godoy, Chevalier Paraguaya, ... All of them have super luxury lines. Much more comfortable than first-class at an airplane. The ride doesn't take more than 18 hours. So, if you leave BA at 5:00 PM, you'll be at the Asunción bus terminal at 9:00 AM on the next day. That includes the stop at the border for immigration formalities. --- Spend at least 4 days in Asunción, and then head either to Encarnación, to see the Jesuit Ruins, and from there to the falls, or go directly to the falls. This will take you around 6 to 7 hours. Choose between NSA or RYSA, again. --- Don't miss the Itaipú Dam. Yes, try to avoid CDE; it's just not worth it. All of the chances are you'll be safe, though. Have a great trip!

You can catch a bus from Buenos Aires to Iguazu -- I recommend Via Bariloche (also known as Tigre Express up to Iguazu). Spend a few days there. Then you can buy a ticket from the small bus station in Puerto Iguazu that goes to Asuncion. I believe AndesMar goes to Asuncion, but don't quote me on it You can ask around the bus station, I found them extremely helpful there.

Also, if you're an American citizen, be aware that you'll need to buy a visa which costs $50 US. I'm not sure if you have to get the visa before you go or not. I was planning to stop in Asuncion for 2 days, but then when I learned of the visa requirement, I skipped it and took busses that skirted the Paraguay/Argentina border (even though it was longer that way).

Thanks for all the suggestions! It sounds a lot plusher than the stories i hear about riding with chicken cages for 20 hrs!

Regis

Regis, don't worry, you won't find those caged-chicken-US movies-stereotyped buses. If you look for them, you'd better watch Indiana Jones. Have a great trip!

the busses in Argentina are much nicer than say...the local busses in Ecuador...never rode on a chicken bus in Argentina. In other countries, yes, and guinea pigs, too.

Good luck with your trip!