Getting around · Montevideo · Uruguay
Getting around Montevideo
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: GameOfLight, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Montevideo has no metro; city buses cover every district, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are reasonably priced. The Ciudad Vieja and Centro are walkable, and the Rambla is the natural route east to Parque Rodó, Pocitos and Carrasco. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Bus
- Airports
- MVD
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- STM card
Ways to get around
Bus
An extensive bus network links the Centro with every barrio; lines along the Rambla and Avenida 18 de Julio are the most useful for visitors.
Buy an STM card for cheaper fares, or pay the driver in cash; route-planning apps show bus times well.
Walking
The Ciudad Vieja, Plaza Independencia and the Centro are compact, and the Rambla is a pleasant walk for miles in good weather.
Taxi
Black-and-yellow metered taxis are plentiful and can be hailed or booked by app; a supplement applies at night and on Sundays.
Ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps operate across the city and are convenient for evenings in the Ciudad Vieja or Parque Rodó.
Cycling
Cycle lanes run along much of the Rambla, which is flat and scenic; bike rental shops operate in Pocitos and the Ciudad Vieja.
Ferry
Fast ferries cross the Río de la Plata to Buenos Aires from the port terminal in the Ciudad Vieja, and via Colonia del Sacramento with bus connections.
Tickets and passes
STM card
The Montevideo transport card for city buses, offering lower fares than cash and free transfers within a time window.
From the airport
Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is about 20 km east of the centre. Intercity buses stop outside the terminal and run to the Tres Cruces bus station in about 45 minutes; taxis and remises (pre-booked cars) take about 30–40 minutes to the Centro or Pocitos.
Do you need a car?
No. Buses, taxis and walking cover the city. A car is handy for exploring the coast towards Punta del Este or the Canelones wineries, but intercity buses from Tres Cruces are comfortable and frequent.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Colonia del Sacramento | About 2.5–3 hours by bus | Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal |
| Punta del Este | About 2 hours by bus | Frequent buses from Tres Cruces terminal |
| Casapueblo | About 2 hours by road | Bus towards Punta del Este, then local bus or taxi; or car |
| Piriápolis | About 1.5 hours by bus | Bus from Tres Cruces terminal |
| Canelones wine country | About 30–45 minutes by car | Tour, taxi or car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Montevideo?
No. Buses, taxis and walking cover the city. A car is handy for exploring the coast towards Punta del Este or the Canelones wineries, but intercity buses from Tres Cruces are comfortable and frequent.
+How do you get from the airport to Montevideo?
Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is about 20 km east of the centre. Intercity buses stop outside the terminal and run to the Tres Cruces bus station in about 45 minutes; taxis and remises (pre-booked cars) take about 30–40 minutes to the Centro or Pocitos.
+What is the best way to get around Montevideo?
Bus: An extensive bus network links the Centro with every barrio; lines along the Rambla and Avenida 18 de Julio are the most useful for visitors.