Airport transfers in Uruguay 2026

Montevideo’s Carrasco Airport offers several ways to reach the city. The local bus runs every 20-30 minutes, taking about 40 minutes to downtown, and tickets are bought onboard with cash. Taxis wait at the official rank outside arrivals; rides take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Shuttle services and pre-booked transfers are available, with transfer times similar to taxis but offering fixed prices and door-to-door convenience. Punta del Este’s airport is smaller, with fewer public options; taxis and pre-booked transfers are the main choices. For late arrivals, families, or those with heavy luggage, a pre-booked transfer is worth the peace of mind.

Taxis in Uruguay have regulated fares from the airport, but there’s no official flat rate published. The official taxi rank is just outside arrivals, not inside the terminal where unofficial drivers may approach. Beware of the classic trap: drivers claiming the meter is broken and quoting inflated fixed prices. Apps like Uber operate in Montevideo but are less common at the airport. Using the official rank or a pre-booked transfer avoids surprises.

Montevideo’s airport is served by regular buses to the city centre, running every 20-30 minutes during the day. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Tickets are purchased onboard with local cash, so have small bills ready. There is no train or metro service. Public transport is less practical late at night or if you’re travelling with children and luggage, when a taxi or transfer is preferable.

Pre-booking a transfer in Uruguay is generally unnecessary unless you arrive late at night, travel with a group, or land in an area without regulated taxis. For most travellers, public buses or official taxi ranks suffice. Around the World compares fixed-price transfer companies upfront, so you can book confidently and avoid last-minute haggling.