Getting around Paraguay: car, public transport, and alternatives

You're settled in Asunción, your cédula is in hand, your apartment is in a good neighborhood. And now, a very practical question arises: how do you get around every day? Taxi, Bolt, personal car, bus, bike—what are the real options, how much do they cost, and what works (or doesn't) for a French-speaking expatriate in 2026?

Mobility in Asunción is nothing like Paris or Brussels. No metro, no tram, a chaotic bus network, and a city designed for cars. But solutions exist—and some are surprisingly convenient and inexpensive. This guide covers transportation methods in Paraguay for expatriates: in the city, between cities, and across borders.

In Asunción: daily options

Bolt: the king of urban mobility

Forget Uber—in Paraguay, Bolt dominates the ride-hailing market. The app works exactly like Uber: you order a car from your phone, you see the price upfront, the route is traced by GPS, and you pay by card or cash. Bolt is the preferred mode of transport for expatriates in Asunción—and for good reason.

• Average cost of a ride in the city: 2 to 5 USD (10,000 to 35,000 guaraníes) for most intra-Asunción trips
• Airport → Villa Morra / Carmelitas: 8 to 15 USD depending on traffic
• Waiting time: 3 to 8 minutes on average in central districts
• Availability: excellent from 7 AM to midnight, decent after midnight
• Payment: bank card (local or international) or cash

At these prices, many expatriates use Bolt as their primary mode of transport—without owning a car. Two to three rides a day cost 200 to 400 USD per month, significantly less than the cost of a car (purchase + insurance + fuel + maintenance + parking). It's the ideal solution for the first 6 months while you get your bearings.

Traditional taxis

Taxis circulate throughout the city—recognizable by their color and illuminated sign. They operate by meter (taxímetro) or negotiated fare. Prices are slightly higher than Bolt (10 to 30% more on average) and the experience is less predictable: no guaranteed price in advance, no GPS route, and some drivers may try to lengthen the trip with a foreign passenger.

Our advice: use taxis for short trips when you don't have an internet connection (no Bolt possible) or when a taxi is immediately available. For everything else, Bolt is more reliable, cheaper, and more transparent.

Personal car: total freedom

Asunción is a city designed for cars. Distances are significant (the metropolitan area spans tens of kilometers), public transport is limited, and the local culture is decidedly car-centric. If you plan to stay more than 6 months and need flexibility (shopping, excursions, business trips), owning a car is a considerable convenience.

Buying a car in Paraguay

The used car market is very active in Asunción. Prices are lower than in Europe but higher than many expatriates imagine—cars are imported (mainly from Brazil, Japan, and Korea) and customs duties are added:

• Decent used car (Hyundai Tucson, Toyota Corolla, 5-8 years old): 10,000 to 18,000 USD
• Recent SUV (Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe, 3-5 years old): 20,000 to 35,000 USD
• Pickup truck (Toyota Hilux, essential if you're going to the countryside): 25,000 to 45,000 USD
• Economical city car (Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10): 6,000 to 12,000 USD

Clasipar.com.py and OLX Paraguay are the main platforms for used vehicle sales. Official dealerships (Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Chevrolet) are present in Asunción for new cars.

Operating costs

• Fuel (nafta): approximately 1.10 to 1.30 USD/liter—cheaper than in Europe but not cheap
• Car insurance: 300 to 800 USD/year depending on the vehicle and coverage (our insurance guide also covers cars)
• Maintenance / service: 100 to 300 USD per service, 2 to 3 times a year
• City center parking: 1 to 3 USD/hour in paid parking lots
• Habilitación vehicular (technical inspection): mandatory annually, approximately 30 to 50 USD

Total annual budget for a used car: approximately 2,500 to 4,500 USD (excluding purchase)—or 200 to 375 USD/month. Comparable to the Bolt budget for intensive use, but with the advantage of total flexibility.

Paraguayan driving license

To drive in Paraguay, you need a Paraguayan driving license. Your French, Belgian, or Swiss license is not valid beyond the first few months (tourist tolerance). Through our ancillary services, obtaining a Paraguayan driving license costs €150 and includes car and motorcycle. It's a simple process that we manage entirely—medical examination, registration, and license collection.

Buses (colectivos): the popular option

Asunción's bus network is... functional. Dozens of lines cover the city and its suburbs, with buses running regularly on major routes. The fare is unbeatable: approximately 0.30 to 0.50 USD per trip (2,800 to 4,600 guaraníes).

But let's be honest: buses in Asunción are not for expatriates, at least not initially:

• No network map: lines are not clearly mapped. Knowing which bus to take to go where relies on orally transmitted local knowledge.
• No fixed schedules: buses run "when they run"—intervals of 5 to 30 minutes depending on the line and time
• Limited comfort: buses are often crowded during peak hours, without air conditioning (except the newest ones) and with a... spirited driving style
• Safety: pickpockets are active on crowded buses—keep your belongings in front of you

That said, once you master the main lines and speak Spanish (see our guide to learning Spanish), the bus can be a convenient and ultra-economical supplementary mode of transport for certain regular trips.

Cycling: an emerging option

Asunción is not (yet) a cycling city. Bike paths are rare, traffic is dense, and motorists are not used to sharing the road with cyclists. However, some residential neighborhoods (Villa Morra, Carmelitas, Manorá) are flat enough and sparsely populated enough to allow cycling with relative safety.

Cycling is especially interesting for short distances: going to the supermarket, a neighborhood restaurant, or the gym. For long trips or during peak hours, it is not recommended. And in summer (December-March), the heat makes cycling quite impractical—as detailed in our climate guide.

Motorcycling: popular but risky

Motorcycles are ubiquitous in Paraguay—it's the most common mode of transport for Paraguayans, especially in the suburbs and provinces. Motorcycles are cheap (1,500 to 5,000 USD for a decent used motorcycle) and fuel-efficient.

But motorcycling in Asunción is risky. Traffic is chaotic, motorists don't always respect safe distances, and motorcycle accidents are frequent. If you opt for a motorcycle, invest in a good helmet, protective clothing, and defensive driving. Our €150 driving license includes the motorcycle category.

Traveling between cities in Paraguay

Intercity buses: comfortable and affordable

The intercity bus network is the main mode of transport between cities in Paraguay—and it's surprisingly comfortable. Major companies (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Rysa, La Encarnaceña, Empresa Godoy) operate air-conditioned buses with reclining seats, Wi-Fi (variable), and sometimes even light meals on long journeys.

Main routes from Asunción:

Destination	Distance	Duration	One-way price (USD)
Encarnación	360 km	4-5h	10 - 20
Ciudad del Este	330 km	4-5h	10 - 18
San Bernardino (Lake Ypacaraí)	50 km	1h	2 - 4
Concepción	450 km	5-6h	12 - 22
Filadelfia (Chaco)	460 km	6-7h	15 - 25

The Asunción terminal (Terminal de Ómnibus) is located in the República neighborhood. It serves all destinations in the country and some international destinations. Tickets can be purchased at the counter or increasingly online.

Car: essential for the Chaco and the countryside

If you plan excursions to the Chaco (the vast and wild western region), a car—ideally a 4x4 or a pickup truck—is essential. Chaco roads are partly unpaved (tierra roja) and can become impassable during the rainy season. The Ruta Transchaco (asphalted road connecting Asunción to Filadelfia) is in good condition, but secondary roads require a suitable vehicle.

For trips to Encarnación, Ciudad del Este, or the Jesuit missions, the main roads (Ruta 1, Ruta 2, Ruta 3) are paved and in good condition—a passenger car is sufficient. However, be aware of local driving styles: reckless overtaking, animals on the road, sometimes absent signage, and occasional potholes.

Domestic flights: limited but useful

Paraguay does not have a developed domestic flight network. Some connections exist between Asunción and Ciudad del Este (45 min flight) and occasionally to other cities, but frequencies are irregular and prices vary (50 to 150 USD one way). The bus generally remains more practical and reliable for domestic travel.

Traveling from Paraguay: international connections

Silvio Pettirossi Airport

Asunción International Airport (IATA code: ASU), located in Luque, is your gateway to the world. The main air connections—detailed in our visa and flights guide:

• São Paulo (Brazil): several daily flights (LATAM, GOL, Azul)—main hub to Europe
• Buenos Aires (Argentina): daily flights (Aerolíneas Argentinas, LATAM)
• Lima (Peru): LATAM connections
• Panama City: Copa Airlines flights—hub to North and Central America
• Santiago (Chile): LATAM connections
• Santa Cruz (Bolivia): Amaszonas flights

For Europe, the journey always involves a stopover (São Paulo, Buenos Aires, or Panama). Total time: 14 to 20 hours depending on the connection. Prices: 600 to 1,500 € one-way, 800 to 2,500 € round-trip.

International bus: the terrestrial adventure

Buses connect Asunción to Buenos Aires (18-20h), São Paulo (18-22h), and other regional capitals. It's long but comfortable (cama buses with sleeper seats) and very economical (40 to 80 USD for Buenos Aires). It's an experience in itself—and it's the preferred mode of transport for backpackers and budget expatriates.

Cédula as Mercosur travel document

A valuable advantage of your Paraguayan residence: your cédula allows you to travel throughout the Mercosur area and associated countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador) without a passport. Convenient for a weekend in Buenos Aires or a getaway to Iguazú Falls—you travel light with just your Paraguayan cédula. Our nationality guide details the travel benefits associated with your status.

Driving specificities in Paraguay

Local traffic code

The Paraguayan traffic code exists—its application is another story. Here's what an expatriate needs to know:

• Drive on the right (like in France)
• Seatbelt use is mandatory (and increasingly enforced)
• City speed limit: 40 to 60 km/h depending on the area
• Road speed limit: 80 to 110 km/h
• Maximum blood alcohol content: 0.04% (very strict—almost zero tolerance)
• Phone while driving: forbidden

The reality of driving in Asunción

Driving in Asunción requires adaptation:

• Red lights: respected during the day in residential areas, but at night, many drivers treat them as suggestions (claimed for safety against aggression). Be vigilant at intersections at night.
• Motorcycles: they are everywhere, weaving between cars and appearing out of nowhere. Constantly check your blind spots.
• Potholes: even in good neighborhoods, streets can have unpredictable holes. Drive carefully and identify traps.
• Flooding: during the rainy season (November-March), tropical storms can flood some streets in minutes. Avoid low areas and underpasses during downpours.
• Parking: residences and shopping centers have parking lots. In the city center, "cuidacoches" (informal parking attendants) watch parked vehicles on the street in exchange for 5,000 to 10,000 guaraníes (~0.70 to 1.30 USD). This is a local custom to respect.

Car insurance

Liability insurance is mandatory in Paraguay. Options range from basic coverage (liability only, 100 to 200 USD/year) to comprehensive coverage (all risks, 500 to 800 USD/year). The main insurers are Tajy, Mapfre, Sancor Seguros, and Royal. Compare offers and opt for comprehensive coverage if your vehicle is valuable.

Mobility budget according to your profile

Profile	Recommended solution	Monthly budget (USD)
Newcomer (first 6 months)	Bolt exclusively	150 - 350
Urban digital nomad	Bolt + occasional bus	100 - 250
Entrepreneur / family	Personal car	250 - 450 (excluding purchase)
Retired and relaxed	Bolt + light car	200 - 350
Investor (countryside + city)	4x4 / Pickup	350 - 600 (excluding purchase)

Whatever your profile, the mobility budget in Paraguay is a fraction of what you would spend in Europe—where a single parking subscription in the city center can cost more than an entire month of Bolt in Asunción. This is one of the areas where the cost of living in Paraguay makes the biggest difference.

Our mobility-related services

• Paraguayan driving license (€150): car + motorcycle, process fully managed by our team
• Tax residency (from €1,400, 3 months): the cédula that gives you access to the license, vehicle registration, and Mercosur travel without a passport

Conclusion: Bolt first, car later

Getting around Paraguay is simple, affordable, and flexible—provided you choose the right solution for your stage of life. For the first few months, Bolt is unbeatable: no car to buy, no immediate license needed, no parking to find. You explore the city at low cost and get your bearings.

Once you are settled and your habits are established, a personal car makes perfect sense—especially if you have children, explore the countryside, or manage real estate investments in different neighborhoods. The Paraguayan driving license for €150 through our services is a must and a stress-free process.

And don't forget the hidden advantage of your tax residency: your cédula is also your passport to the entire Mercosur. Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Montevideo, Santiago—the entire South American space is accessible with a simple Paraguayan identity document. Mobility in Paraguay doesn't stop in Asunción—it extends to an entire continent.

Are you preparing your move to Paraguay and have questions about mobility? Contact our team for your driving license, residency, and everything that will get you on the road to your new life.