Getting Around Uruguay
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient buses for Montevideo and coastal cities. Rural: Rent a car for interior exploration. Coast: Buses and ferries. For convenience, book airport transfers from Montevideo to your destination.
Train Travel
AFE National Rail
Limited passenger network with suburban services around Montevideo and occasional intercity routes.
Cost: Montevideo to suburbs UYU 50-100 (~$1-3), journeys under 1 hour for local trips.
Tickets: Buy at stations or via AFE website/app. Cash or card accepted, limited schedules.
Peak Times: Services mainly weekdays, avoid rush hours 7-9 AM for comfort.
Rail Passes & Tickets
Basic passes for frequent local travel from UYU 200 (~$5) for 10 rides, ideal for Montevideo commuters.
Best For: Short urban trips, but buses often more frequent; savings for daily users.
Where to Buy: Montevideo Central Station or AFE offices, with easy reloadable cards.
Tourist & Heritage Trains
Seasonal tourist trains like the Fray Bentos line or heritage rides connect to rural sites.
Booking: Reserve in advance via AFE or tourism sites, prices UYU 300-500 (~$8-13).
Main Stations: Montevideo Central is the hub, with connections to limited regional lines.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring the interior and rural areas. Compare rental prices from $30-50/day at Montevideo Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended for non-Spanish), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised, includes third-party liability; check for gravel road options.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 110-130 km/h highways.
Tolls: Some intercity routes like Montevideo-Punta del Este require electronic tags (~$5-10/trip).
Priority: Yield to right at intersections, roundabouts common; watch for pedestrians in towns.
Parking: Free in rural areas, metered in cities UYU 50-100/hour (~$1-3); use apps for spots.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations widespread at UYU 60-70/liter (~$1.50-1.80/gallon) for petrol, similar for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for rural areas.
Traffic: Congestion in Montevideo during rush hours, lighter on coastal and interior roads.
Urban Transport
Montevideo Buses
Extensive network covering the city, single ticket UYU 50 (~$1.25), day pass UYU 100 (~$2.50).
Validation: Pay exact cash to driver or use rechargeable card; no transfers usually.
Apps: Moovit or official CUT app for routes, real-time tracking, and schedules.
Bike Rentals
Movi bike-sharing in Montevideo and Punta del Este, UYU 50-100/day (~$1-3) with stations citywide.
Routes: Dedicated bike paths along Rambla in Montevideo, safe coastal cycling.
Tours: Guided bike tours in cities, exploring beaches and historic sites with rentals.
Intercity Buses & Local
COT, CITA, and other companies operate nationwide buses from Tres Cruces terminal in Montevideo.
Tickets: UYU 200-800 (~$5-20) per ride, buy online or at terminal with advance booking.
Coastal Routes: Frequent services to Punta del Este and Colonia, 2-4 hours, comfortable AC buses.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus terminals in cities for easy access, central Montevideo or Punta del Este beaches for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (Dec-Feb) and major festivals like Carnival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable coastal weather plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 4G/5G coverage in cities and coasts, 3G/4G in rural Uruguay including interior.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Antel, Movistar, and Claro offer prepaid SIMs from UYU 200-500 (~$5-13) with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for UYU 500 (~$13), 10GB for UYU 800 (~$20), unlimited for UYU 1000/month (~$25).
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and most public spaces.
Public Hotspots: Bus terminals and tourist areas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally fast (20-100 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Uruguay Time (UYT), UTC-3, no daylight saving observed year-round.
- Airport Transfers: Carrasco Airport 20km from Montevideo center, bus UYU 100 (~$2.50, 30 min), taxi $30-40, or book private transfer for $25-50.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals (UYU 100-200/day ~$2-5) and dedicated services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and modern facilities accessible, some historic sites in Colonia have cobblestone limitations.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses (small free with carrier, large extra fee), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on buses off-peak for UYU 50 (~$1), folding bikes free anytime.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Uruguay
Montevideo Carrasco Airport (MVD) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Montevideo Carrasco (MVD): Primary international gateway, 20km east of city center with bus connections.
Punta del Este (PDP): Seasonal hub 100km east, direct flights from Buenos Aires, taxi to town $20 (20 min).
Colonia (CYR): Small airport for regional flights, convenient for western Uruguay access.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (Dec-Feb) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Buenos Aires and taking ferry to Colonia for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
LATAM, Gol, and Flybondi serve Montevideo with South American connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee UYU 100-200 (~$2-5), use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express less common in smaller establishments.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay widely used, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most places.
- Cash: Still needed for markets, small cafes, and rural areas, keep UYU 2000-5000 (~$50-125) in small denominations; USD often accepted.
- Tipping: Service charge included in restaurants, round up or add 5-10% for excellent service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.