How to get to Montevideo

Airport

Carrasco International Airport receives flights from several international airlines, you can check them at Airlines – Carrasco Airport

Upon arrival you can get to your selected place of stay through Taxi, Shuttle or bus. For updated information check How to get to and from the Airport. Uber is available at selected pick up points in the Departure´s Floor. Taxi is usually the most expensive option (prices are fixed), buses are normal buses that come from the outskirts of the city, normally full and without space to leave luggage. We recommend using a shared shuttle service since it is a reasonable price option for the service offered. You can book it on the desk at the Arrival´s Hall when you arrive.

Port

If you are coming from Buenos Aires, you can opt to travel by ferry through Buquebus (including direct port to port options) or Colonia Express. 

If you arrive at the Buquebus terminal at the Port of Montevideo, the easiest way to get around is by Taxi or Uber. They are not many bus options available from the port, you will need to walk a couple of blocks.

If you take a Ferry through Colonia you will be dropped off at Tres Cruces Bus Terminal in Montevideo. Keep reading to know how to get around from there.

Bus

There are several international bus services through Montevideo at Tres Cruces Bus Terminal. You can get to Montevideo by bus from Argentina (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario) and Brazil (Florianópolis and Porto Alegre). 

From Tres Cruces you can either take a cab, uber or bus to get around the city. There is always a cab line at the exit.

General things anyone coming to Uruguay should know.

Official currency: Uruguayan peso.

Official language: Spanish. 

If you speak Portuguese slowly most people would understand and try Portuñol. English is usually taught as a second language at school, but not everyone speaks it. Hotel receptionists usually speak English and Portuguese.

Accepted payment methods: cash, debit and credit card in most places. Some local shops may only accept cash. Taxis may ask for cash, most of them accept credit cards you need to check before getting in the car. Buses only accept cash or the STM bus card (see in the Discover Montevideo webpage how it works).

Security: Most of Montevideo is safe to walk around during the day, especially near the Congress Venue. We do not recommend visiting Old Town at night by yourself. Staying near the Congress venue is safe, other recommended neighborhoods to stay, further from the venue are: Pocitos, Punta Carretas, Parque Rodó, Palermo and Barrio Sur.

Places near Montevideo you can visit on one day: Colonia del Sacramento (Portuguese Old City 100 km west of Montevideo), Piriápolis and Punta del Este (100 and 120 km east of Montevideo).

If you are planning on renting a car you should know most available cars are manual and we drive on the right side. 

To know about VAT refund and exoneration policies for tourists follow this link.