Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
The main gateway is Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport (MVD), about 20 km east of the centre. Options into the city are taxi, Uber, the airport bus and car rental. Taxis have set airport fares; Uber is usually cheaper and its price is shown in the app. Confirm the fare or use the app before you set off.
- Airport
- Carrasco (MVD)
- Options
- Taxi, Uber, airport bus
- Tip
- Confirm fare or use app
- Carrasco (MVD) is about 20 km from central Montevideo
- Uber price is shown in the app before you ride
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
In Montevideo public transport is based on an extensive city bus network; there is no metro and passenger rail is very limited. Buses are frequent and cover the whole city. Fares are paid with the STM card (see below) or in cash. Route apps and Google Maps help you plan trips.
- Montevideo
- Extensive bus network
- No metro
- Rail very limited
- Fares
- STM card or cash
- Buses cover the whole city and run frequently
- Plan trips with route apps or Google Maps
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
In Montevideo, bus fares are paid with the STM card (Sistema de Transporte Metropolitano). Buy and top up the card at kiosks and authorised points, then tap it on board. It also allows discounted transfers within a set time. Other cities may use their own cards or cash, so check locally.
- Card
- STM (Montevideo)
- Top up
- Kiosks / authorised points
- Other cities
- Own cards or cash
- Tap the STM card on board to pay the fare
- Discounted transfers within a set time window
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Car rental is common and handy for reaching the coast and interior. Uruguay drives on the right, and an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence is recommended. Main routes are in good condition, but some rural roads are unpaved. Fill up before long stretches, as service stations can be sparse away from towns.
- Drives on
- The right
- Licence
- IDP recommended
- Roads
- Some rural roads unpaved
- Main routes are good; rural roads can be unpaved
- Fill up before long stretches between towns
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Long-distance buses are the backbone of intercity travel, centred on Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal. Frequent services run to Punta del Este and Colonia del Sacramento and across the country. From Colonia, ferries cross the River Plate to Buenos Aires. Book ahead in the summer high season.
- Hub
- Tres Cruces (Montevideo)
- Popular
- Punta del Este, Colonia
- Ferry
- Colonia–Buenos Aires
- Buses run frequently to major destinations
- Book ahead during the summer high season
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights are very limited in Uruguay. The country is small and distances are short, so long-distance buses are the main way to travel between cities and are usually faster overall than flying. Most air travel is international, through Carrasco (MVD).
- Domestic
- Very limited
- Main mode
- Long-distance buses
- Airport
- Mostly international (MVD)
- Buses are usually faster overall for short distances
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
In the summer high season (December to February), Punta del Este gets very busy and long-distance buses fill up, so book seats in advance. In Montevideo, keep an STM card topped up for buses and use Uber for convenience. Carry some cash for small vendors even though cards are widely accepted.
- Summer
- Punta del Este busy (Dec–Feb)
- Buses
- Book long-distance ahead
- City
- STM card + Uber
- Book long-distance bus seats in the summer high season
- Carry some cash even where cards are accepted