Airport Transfer: Silvio Pettirossi (ASU) to Asunción
How to get from Asunción airport to your hotel: taxis, apps, buses and pre-arranged rides
How to plan your airport transfer from Silvio Pettirossi (ASU) to Asunción, with the main options compared and what to check before you get in.
Independent guide: we do not sell, book or arrange this trip or any service mentioned here, and no provider paid to appear. Prices, timetables and rules change — confirm them with the provider or the official source before you go.
Planning an airport transfer from Silvio Pettirossi (ASU) to your hotel in Asunción? This guide explains the main ways to make the trip yourself, from official taxis and ride-hailing apps to buses, hotel pick-ups and pre-arranged private transfers, and what to check before you commit to any of them.
It is general travel information, not a booking service. We do not sell, arrange or quote transfers, and nothing on this page is an endorsement of a particular provider. Prices, schedules and app availability change, so confirm the details with the airport, your hotel or the operator before you travel.
What an airport transfer in Asunción involves
The airport is in Luque, a short drive from the city centre. Most visitors choose between a taxi, a ride-hailing app, a pick-up arranged by their hotel, a pre-arranged private transfer or the public bus. The sections below compare them and list the checks that protect you from the usual problems: unclear prices, unlicensed drivers and missed meetings after a delayed flight.
Planning your airport transfer before you land
Arriving at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) after a long flight is easier if you have already decided how you will leave the terminal. In the arrivals area you will usually meet taxi drivers and other people offering rides, and prices, languages and payment methods are not always obvious. A few minutes of preparation at home removes most of the stress.
The airport sits in Luque, part of Greater Asunción, and the trip into the city is short compared with many South American capitals. You can read more about the airport itself on Wikipedia. Opening hours, terminal layout and services can change, so for current details use the airport operator's official channels or your airline.
How to choose the right airport transfer
Four questions decide most of it: how late will you arrive, how much luggage do you have, how many people are travelling, and do you speak enough Spanish to settle a fare on the spot?
If you land late at night, are travelling with children or have a lot of bags, a ride that is arranged and confirmed in advance (through your hotel or a licensed operator) is usually the least stressful. If you land in daylight, travel light and are comfortable negotiating, a taxi or a ride-hailing app can work well and costs less effort than it sounds.
Whatever you choose, do these things every time:
- Agree the fare, or confirm that the meter will be used, before the car moves.
- Check that the driver and the vehicle match what you were told or what the app shows.
- Keep your luggage in sight when it is loaded and unloaded.
- Have your hotel's name and address saved on your phone, ideally with a map pin, so you can show it to the driver.
- Do not accept rides from people who approach you inside the terminal without any identification or official desk behind them.
Prices for each option change over time and with exchange rates, so we do not list figures here. Ask the hotel, the operator or the app for the current price, and ask whether it is in guaraníes or US dollars.
Ways to get from the airport to the city
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Airport taxis and official taxi stands
The simplest option for most visitors. Look for a clearly marked taxi desk or an official taxi stand rather than accepting an offer inside the arrivals hall, and ask where the fare is set. Where a desk sells fixed-price tickets, you pay for the trip up front; otherwise, agree the price before you leave the kerb.
Have some guaraníes ready if you can, and confirm whether cards are accepted, because card machines in taxis are not guaranteed. Asking the driver to write the price down or show it on a phone avoids misunderstandings in a second language. Confirm what applies on the day with the airport desks or your airline.
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Ride-hailing apps
Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Uber have operated in Asunción, and many residents use them for city trips. Availability, airport pick-up rules and pick-up points can change, so check the apps before you travel rather than assuming they work from the terminal.
Install and set up the app (payment method, phone number) at home or on airport wifi, and note that you may need mobile data in Paraguay to use it. Match the licence plate and driver name before you get in, and share your trip with someone you trust if the app offers that.
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Hotel or hostel pick-up
Many hotels and some hostels will arrange a pick-up for guests, often by sending a driver they already work with. Ask when you reserve your room whether this is available, who the driver is, what the price is and how you will recognise them in the arrivals hall. Get the answer in writing (email or message), including the flight number and arrival time you gave them.
Because the hotel arranges the car, this is a good option for late arrivals. You are dealing with a business you chose and can complain to afterwards.
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Pre-booked private transfer from a licensed operator
This is a car and driver arranged in advance with a transport or tourism company. Before you pay anything, check the points below, and keep in mind that tourism businesses in Paraguay are expected to be registered with the tourism authority, SENATUR.
- The company's registration and contact details, and a real business name rather than just a social-media page.
- The total price, what it includes (waiting time if your flight is late, luggage, child seat) and in which currency it is paid.
- How you recognise the driver (name sign, plate number, phone number) and where you will meet.
- What happens if your flight is delayed or you cannot find the driver.
- Cancellation and refund terms in writing, and how payment is made (be wary of anything that asks for an unusual payment method).
- Whether the vehicle is insured for passengers.
- Recent, independent reviews that you can verify.
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City buses
Public city buses run on roads around the airport and into Asunción, and they are the cheapest option. They are also the slowest and the least convenient with luggage, and routes and timetables change. Locals use them, but most visitors with bags will not enjoy the first hour in a new city this way. If you want to try, ask a hotel or a local for the current line to your neighbourhood before you leave, and consider a taxi or app ride for a late arrival.
Tips before you go
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Decide before you land
Pick your main option and a backup, for example an app as plan A and a taxi as plan B, so a missing signal or a delayed flight does not leave you improvising.
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Carry some local cash
Many small payments still happen in cash. Arrange to have some guaraníes from an ATM or exchange service, and confirm the rate or fee before you accept it.
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Save your accommodation details
Keep the exact address, a map pin and the hotel's phone number on your phone, plus a screenshot in case the signal drops.
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Share your plans
Send your flight number, arrival time and the driver's name or plate to the hotel or to someone at home. It takes a minute and helps if anything goes wrong.
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Check the official sources
For airport services, check the airport operator's information and your airline. For licensed tourism providers, check SENATUR before you pay anything up front.
Practical information
- Airport code
- ASU (Silvio Pettirossi International Airport).
- Location
- In Luque, in Greater Asunción. The drive to central Asunción is roughly 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and where you are staying.
- Costs
- Fares change, so confirm the current price with the hotel, taxi desk, app or operator before you travel.
- Official information
- Tourism authority: https://www.senatur.gov.py/ and airport background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvio_Pettirossi_International_Airport
Frequently asked questions
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What if my flight is delayed?
If you have arranged a pick-up through a hotel or an operator, give them your flight number and ask them in advance how they handle delays and how long the driver will wait. If you take a taxi or an app, a delay does not matter, but late-night arrivals are a good reason to have your plan and backup ready.
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Where do I meet a driver who is waiting for me?
Ask the person arranging the pick-up for the exact meeting point, a phone number to contact the driver and a way to recognise them, such as a name sign or a vehicle description. Do not follow anyone who has not been named in advance.
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Do I need local cash (guaraníes)?
It helps. Cash is useful for taxis, small purchases and tips, and not every payment method works everywhere. Ask in advance whether you will pay in guaraníes or US dollars and whether cards or apps are accepted for your option.
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How long does it take to get to the city?
Roughly 20 to 30 minutes in light traffic to central Asunción, longer at rush hour or if your hotel is on the far side of the city. Ask your driver or app for a realistic estimate at the time.
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Can I bring a child seat?
Child-seat rules and availability vary, and not every taxi or app car will have one. If you need one, ask a pre-arranged operator or your hotel ahead of time, and confirm it in writing. Otherwise consider bringing a portable seat from home.
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Can I stop at a shop on the way?
Usually yes, if you ask the driver at the start and it is agreed with a pre-arranged transfer. Taxis and apps may add waiting time, so settle the extra cost before the stop.
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Are ride-hailing apps available at the airport?
Apps such as Bolt and Uber have operated in Asunción, but availability and the rules for airport pick-ups can change. Open the apps and check pick-up options before you travel, and keep a taxi or hotel pick-up as a backup.
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Can I arrange a ride to another city, such as Encarnación or Ciudad del Este?
Yes, but these are long trips and are priced differently from an airport run. Compare the long-distance bus with hiring a car and driver, and read our guide to hiring a private driver for how to vet one.
Next steps after your airport transfer
Once you know how you will reach your hotel, the rest of the arrival is easier. Read Paraguay travel advice before you fly, use the travel planner guide to shape the days that follow, and see the longer airport transfer in Paraguay article for more background. If you will need a car and driver for longer trips, see private driver. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
