Uruguay Transport
For more information on specific topics click the links below:
Montevideo Carrasco Airport is Uruguay’s major gateway and the means by which many overseas visitors arrive in the country. The facility is located 19km from downtown Montevideo and serves flights to and from major destinations in South America such as Panama City, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago and Buenos Aires, as well as a number of North American cities such as Miami and Washington. From Europe, Spain’s capital, Madrid, provides the chief connection.
The airport’s single terminal is somewhat limited in its facilities in comparison with the airports of most capital cities; however, passengers will find most of the essentials on hand. ATMs and a bureau de change are available, as is a small selection of dining and retail outlets – the latter including a newsagents, a pharmacy and a duty-free shop.To get to the city from the airport, passengers can take bus services provided by COT SA, COPSA and Cutsa. Buses run from stops outside of the terminal building. The alternative is to take a taxi, with cabs available for hire from outside of the airport arrivals area. Passengers are advised to use official taxis only and to make sure the meter is operational before setting off.
Since there are no domestic air or rail routes of any use to visitors, the country’s bus network provides one of the best options for getting around during a Uruguay holiday. COPSA and COT are the two chief bus service operators, providing between them a network that stretches to cover the majority of major towns and cities and a significant number of smaller destinations also.
Taxis are widely available in Uruguay, especially in the big cities. There are usually stands located outside of airports, bus stations and major hotels. Cabs operate on meters and extra charges are made for large amounts of luggage and for night journeys. Taxi drivers in the popular tourist areas speak English but off the beaten track you may need to use a phrase book as drivers rarely speak anything other than Spanish.Hire cars are a good way of getting around if you intend on doing a fair bit of travelling during your holiday. There are car hire desks operated by Avis, Hertz and Europcar located at Montevideo Carrasco Airport and smaller independent companies located in the city and at popular destinations such as Punta del Este. Driving conditions on Uruguayan roads can be somewhat hazardous as the locals are a little erratic, so it’s wise to drive cautiously at all times, especially if out on roads in more rural areas and undeveloped areas.
Travel Guide
Top Hotel Reviews
Suburb
This is an excellent hotel for the money - the place is clean and well-maintained, the rooms comfortable and pleasant, the staff very friendly and helpful, and the morning breakfast delicious. The hot...
This is an excellent hotel for the money - the place is clean and well-maintained, the rooms comfortable and pleasant, the staff very friendly and helpful, and the morning breakfast delicious. The hot...
Newsletter Sign Up!
Special hotel promotions, calendar of events, and more. It’s free. Sign up now!
Tangent e-zine
Tom Racette
Alice Summers
Mark Patten