Far by Rail
The Tren Ecológico de la Selva inside Iguazú National Park.

Argentina · Scenic

Tren Ecológico de la Selva: Iguazú National Park

The Tren Ecológico de la Selva is a narrow-gauge railway inside Iguazú National Park, carrying visitors from the Central station through subtropical forest to Cataratas and on to Garganta del Diablo, the station for the walkway to the Devil's Throat. The line was built by Alan Keef of Ross-on-Wye and opened in 2001, and trains depart about every thirty minutes during park opening hours. The operator is converting the fleet from propane to battery-electric traction.

Puerto Iguazú → Garganta del Diablo

Photo: Geogast · CC BY 3.0

Time needed
20m
Best for
Rail enthusiasts · Families
Route
Puerto Iguazú → Garganta del Diablo

Why this route

A line built to cross the country it shows you.

This is a railway designed around a protected forest rather than through one: low speed, wildlife crossings and a traction change specifically intended to cut noise and emissions inside the park. It is also the only way to reach the Garganta del Diablo walkway without a long walk, so it is part of the visit rather than an optional extra. Travel is covered by park admission, and the leg from Cataratas to Garganta del Diablo takes around twenty minutes.

How it scores

Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.

SceneryStrong
ComfortModerate
Character of the trainModerate
Show the full editorial profile

More subjective

UniquenessExceptional
Iconic statusStrong
PhotographyStrong
Travelling with childrenExceptional

Not rated yet: value for money, food & drink, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.

Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.

The route

Puerto Iguazú to Garganta del Diablo

The map and published route details show the verified geography and structure of the line.

The published route runs from Puerto Iguazú to Garganta del Diablo.

Key stops

CataratasGarganta del Diablo

CataratasGarganta del Diablo
Argentina · geographic corridor through verified stops · indicative alignment, not exact track geometry

  1. Cataratas

    Argentina

  2. Garganta del Diablo

    Argentina

Evidence on demand

Practical reality

Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.

Time & itinerary

20m

View route map and verified stops

Cataratas → Garganta del Diablo

The published route runs from Puerto Iguazú to Garganta del Diablo.

Key stops

CataratasGarganta del Diablo

CataratasGarganta del Diablo
Argentina · geographic corridor through verified stops · indicative alignment, not exact track geometry

  1. Cataratas

    Argentina

  2. Garganta del Diablo

    Argentina

When to go
  1. JanRuns
  2. FebRuns
  3. MarRuns
  4. AprRuns
  5. MayRuns
  6. JunRuns
  7. JulRuns
  8. AugRuns
  9. SepRuns
  10. OctRuns
  11. NovRuns
  12. DecRuns
  • Runs
Year-round
Runs

Jan: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.

These months show when the train runs, which is a service fact. How good each month is for the experience has not been rated yet, so no month is presented as better than another.

Month-by-month notes
  • Jan: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Feb: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Mar: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Apr: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • May: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Jun: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Jul: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Aug: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Sep: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Oct: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Nov: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
  • Dec: Operates during national park opening hours through the year.
Good for

Good fit for

  • Rail enthusiasts

    Especially good

    The train and the line itself are a large part of the reason to travel.

  • Families

    Especially good

    Short enough, frequent enough or engaging enough to work with children.

  • Photographers

    Good fit

    Published photography score is high for this route's landscapes and structures.

Think twice if

No verified trade-offs on record. That is an absence of evidence, not a promise that there are none.

Reservation & booking
Reservation
Not required
Booking difficulty
Easy

Not yet verified: typical price, rail pass validity. We leave these blank rather than guess.

  • Access is through national park admission; the train itself is not separately reserved, and queues form at peak hours.
Visit Iguazú Argentina's website (opens the operator site in a new tab)Compare similar journeys

Only the operator's website is verified for this service. Timetables, fares and reservations must be found from there. Journey length: 20m. Checked 20 Sep 2026 · Iguazú Argentina · park concessionaire.

Sources & freshness

The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.

Your next step

Plan the route, then confirm it with the operator.

Access is through national park admission; the train itself is not separately reserved, and queues form at peak hours.

Visit Iguazú Argentina's website (opens in a new tab)

Only the operator's website is verified for this service. Timetables, fares and reservations must be found from there.

Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.

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Sources & freshness

Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.

Last reviewed 20 Sep 2026.

Official sources