From the airport to the city centre Uruguay

The airport is located 30 km from downtown Montevideo. Upon arrival, you will find a duty free store, a tourist agency, an HSBC bank, car rental companies (Hertz, Avis and Europcar) and currency exchange offices. Air France, Air Europa and Iberia offer direct flights from Paris and Madrid. American Airlines is the only one to offer direct flights from the United States. Regular flights are operated from Chile (LATAM and Aerolineas Argentinas), Colombia (LATAM and COPA), Panama (COPA), Paraguay (Aerolineas Argentinas and Paranair) and Peru (Avianca). To get to Argentina, it is best to take the Buquebus ferry or the Colonia Express, which is much faster. Both offer direct access to the city center and unique views of both cities.

Bus. Buses 700, 701, 704, 710, 724 and D10 are located right in front of the terminal and are the best way to get downtown. It will take you about an hour to get to the center. The fare is between $36 and $72. You will be asked to pay in cash.

Cab. Cabs are also available in front of the terminal, right next to the bus stop. The cost is approximately $2,000. To reach an Uber driver, go outside from the2nd floor, as they are not allowed to go to the first floor exit. Expect to pay approximately $1,000.

Shuttles. Airport shuttles leave as soon as they have five passengers. The cost is $400 per person.

Arrival by train Uruguay

The Uruguayan railway system, which was established in the 19th century and reached its peak in the 1940s, unfortunately ceased to function in 1985 due to the decline in passenger numbers. Currently, the Uruguayan railway network is mainly used to transport goods such as rice, pulp and livestock for export to the port of Montevideo. There is also a tourist train service called "El Train de las Sierras", which offers guided tours in the department of Tacuarembó.

Arrival by boat Uruguay

Buquebus is a ferry company that operates on the River Plate, providing connections between Buenos Aires and Montevideo (or Colonia del Sacramento), and vice versa. The ship, named Francisco (in honor of the Pope), can accommodate 1,000 passengers and 200 vehicles, and sails at a speed of 100 km/h. Several routes are available, including a direct trip to Colonia (1 hour and 15 minutes) and Montevideo (2 hours and 30 minutes), as well as a combination of a boat trip to Colonia followed by a bus trip to Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal or other destinations such as Punta del Este or Piriápolis. The fare for a one-way ticket from Buenos Aires to Montevideo is approximately US$60 for tourist class, US$75 for business class and US$200 for first class. In addition, Buquebus offers one-day packages to discover Colonia from Buenos Aires, which include a round-trip ticket, a guided tour, bicycle rental and travel assistance. Note that you can bring your own vehicle on your trip, but this will incur additional charges from your rental agency in Argentina. Instead, it is advisable to rent a car once you arrive in Uruguay.

Buquebus competes with Colonia Express, a company that offers cheaper options for travel between Colonia and Buenos Aires. Colonia Express offers several daily departures with fixed schedules in both directions, and a one-way trip costs about US$40.

The ferry terminal in Buenos Aires is located in the Puerto Madero neighborhood, at 821 Avenida Antártida Argentina. In Colonia, it is located in the historic district next to Playa Honda, on Osvaldo Cartolano Street. In Montevideo, the terminal is located at 1825 Rambla 25 de Agosto, in the Ciudad Vieja. It is recommended to arrive at the terminal two hours before the scheduled boarding time to check in. Check-in must be completed at least 20 minutes before the ship's departure time. The baggage limit is 20 kg per passenger. Early arrival is recommended to ensure the best seats with the best views.

Public transport Uruguay

The central bus station of Montevideo is called Terminal Tres Cruces and is located at 1825 Bv. General Artigas. It is from here that buses leave for the main cities of the country, the city center, the airport and the cities of Greater Montevideo, but also Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil:

To Paraguay. One or two departures per week. The company EGA serves the capital Asunción; count 20 hours of travel.

To Argentina. Take the buses and ferries of Belgrano, EGA CAUVI, ENCON, Colonia Express and Buquebus. Daily departures, especially in the evening. To Buenos Aires, count 8 hours of bus and 4h15 for the ferry via Colonia.

To Brazil. To reach Porto Alegre, take EGA or TTL, daily departures around noon (about 12 hours of travel). To Florianopolis, take a daily bus from EGA (about 18 hours).

To Punta del Este. Take the buses of the companies COT and Copsa. Daily departures.

To Colonia. Take the COT and Turil buses. Daily departures.

Most destinations have regular bus schedules, so it is not necessary to book in advance, except during vacation periods such as Christmas, New Year's, Carnival week and Tourism week (Holy Week). To travel by public transportation in Montevideo, you will need to purchase a bus pass at any of the Metropolitan Transportation System (STM) service points. The card is free, but it must be topped up with a minimum of $100 before you can use it. It is also possible to pay for your bus ticket with cash using small denominations such as $20, $50 or $100 bills. Schedules are available on the Como Ir and Moovit mobile apps.

Bike, scooters & co Uruguay

Montevideo offers a self-service bicycle service called "Movete en Bici", with more than 600 bicycles distributed in more than 60 stations in the city, with affordable rates and subscription flexibility for users. The system is easy to use with automatic kiosks and a mobile app to find available bikes and stations in real time, offering a convenient and sustainable option to explore the city. Check out the montevideo.gub.uy/mapa-montevideo-en-bici map to locate different bike routes.

With a driver Uruguay

It is possible to contact regular cabs by dialing 1771 (Radio Taxi Punta Gorda) or 141 (Radio Taxi Patronal). Fares in Uruguay are regulated by the government, which means that prices are uniform for all companies. The initial cost for a ride is approximately $44. This amount can increase depending on the distance and duration of the trip. Tipping is not mandatory, although it is usually appreciated. Driver booking apps such as Uber, Taxi Montevideo and Cabify allow users to book a ride from their smartphone.

By car Uruguay

Uruguay has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, with main roads called "rutas nacionales" as well as secondary roads, commonly known as "caminos". Travelers can expect easy and pleasant driving on Uruguay's main roads, with a speed limit of 90 km/h on two-way roads and 110 km/h on highways. Foreign drivers must have their International Driving Permit and be at least 21 years old to drive in Uruguay. Speed limits are strictly enforced and fines for speeding are quite high. Be warned that the country is not kidding when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol. In fact, Uruguay has a zero tolerance policy for drunk driving. If a driver is stopped by the police and tests positive for alcohol, his or her license will be immediately confiscated and a fine of US$500 will have to be paid. In addition, the driver will not be allowed to drive for the rest of his or her stay in Uruguay. If he wants to get his license back, he will have to go to the consulate of his country in Montevideo. Finally, it is crucial to bring enough fuel to cover long distances, as gas stations can be scarce in rural areas.

Tolls. There are a number of tolls along Uruguay's highways. The main roads connecting Montevideo to Colonia and Punta del Este, Ruta 1 and Ruta Interbalnearia (IB), are toll roads. Other main roads also have tolls, often located at departmental borders. The cost of tolls is relatively affordable, at about US$3. However, it is important to note that cash payments are not accepted and that electronic payment is the only way to pay tolls on the country's roads. In order to pass all tolls, it will be necessary to register your vehicle on the website Telepeaje.com.uy/paseturista, or via the mobile app Telepeaje Uy in order to obtain a tourist pass(Pase Turístico). When passing through a tollbooth, a license plate recognition system will identify you and let you pass without interruption. Then, once you arrive at your destination, you can proceed to pay your tolls online at telepeaje.com.uy/recargar.

Accessibility Uruguay

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility and strollers is not guaranteed on all buses, with only 20% equipped with ramps and dedicated spaces. Nevertheless, disabled people can travel free of charge and have a reserved seat on urban and interdepartmental transport. Renting a car may be a better option. Major car rental companies usually have vehicles that are suitable for people with limited mobility and families with strollers. Please check accessibility options with the agency before booking.

Tourist traps Uruguay

Informal parking attendants, better known as "cuidacoches" (in Spanish, "cuidar" means "to take care of" and "coches" means "cars"), will help you park on the street and watch over your vehicle while you are away. They will usually ask you for a ten peso tip when you return. It is best to pay this small tip to ensure that your car is well looked after and to avoid future trouble. Cuidacoches can be nice and helpful, but don't underestimate their potential for intimidation and extortion, or you may end up with a rather large bill!