Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (code ASU) is the main entry point to Paraguay, located in Luque, about 10 km from downtown Asunción. The first hours after a long flight are often the most vulnerable for a tired traveler: this guide covers what you need to know when getting off the plane, from the official taxi to the ATM, to avoid the classic traps of international arrival areas.
Leaving the Terminal: Customs, Luggage and First Impression
What to remember
- •The airport is about 10 km from the center, expect 20-30 minutes of travel outside peak hours
- •Free wifi works well inside the terminal but does not always cover the outdoor taxi waiting area
- •ATMs are available 24h after customs, as well as a currency exchange office in the arrivals area
- •The official taxi stand displays fixed rates to the center: do not negotiate with a driver who approaches you before that stand
After passing customs, the Silvio Pettirossi arrivals area has a 24h ATM (Multibanco) as well as a currency exchange called Amambay, allowing you to convert euros or dollars into guaraníes as soon as you exit. The rates offered at the airport are rarely the best in the country: if you only need a small amount of cash for the trip to the city, change a small sum on the spot and prefer an exchange office or ATM in the center for the rest.
The terminal's free wifi works adequately inside the building, but coverage drops noticeably outside, in the area where taxis wait. If you need to contact your accommodation or activate a transport reservation before leaving, do it inside rather than waiting until you are in the outdoor waiting line.
The Official Taxi: Rates and Vigilance
The airport's official taxis charge a displayed fixed rate, paid in cash in guaraníes: approximately 100,000 Gs (13 EUR) during the day to reach the center, and a higher rate of around 135,000 Gs (17 EUR) at night and on Sundays. This fixed rate avoids any negotiation, but only applies at the official stand located at the terminal exit, not to drivers who approach travelers in the arrivals hall before that point.
- 1Ignore anyone who approaches you in the hall to offer a taxi or transfer before you have reached the official outdoor stand
- 2Taxis generally do not accept bank cards: bring cash in guaraníes or US dollars before leaving
- 3Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) operate in Asunción but their direct airport pickup is not always authorized by local regulations: check the pickup point indicated by the app before requesting the ride
- 4Expect 20 to 30 minutes of travel to the center outside peak hours, more at the end of the day
Preparing Before Landing
A few minutes of preparation before the plane descends avoid unnecessary complications upon arrival. Complete your customs declaration card if one was handed out on the flight, keep your passport and accommodation voucher accessible at the top of your carry-on luggage, and download the map of your accommodation or an offline map of the center before losing access to onboard wifi.
If you plan to buy a local SIM as soon as you arrive, know that the airport offers a point of sale, but at a higher price than in the city: see the Connectivity page to compare options and decide whether it is worth waiting until you reach the center.
Last updated:
Sources
- Bourse des Vols: Silvio Pettirossi Airport - shuttle, taxi, parking (2026)
- Expat Settle: Silvio Pettirossi Airport Guide - Immigration, Transport, First Steps (2026)
- Airssist: Asunción Silvio Pettirossi Airport Guide (2026)
- Asuncion Times: A First-Time Visitor's Guide to Silvio Pettirossi (2026)
- Airpaz: Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) Information (2025)
- Taxi2Airport: Taxis to and from Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (2026)
- Welcome Pickups: Asuncion Airport Taxi - Compare All Options (2026)
- IBO Guide: Silvio Pettirossi Airport - Arrival Tips (2025)
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