Getting Around in Uruguay

Uruguay is a small, well-connected country. Montevideo has an efficient public transportation system, Uber operates smoothly, and the major cities are just a few hours away by bus. This guide covers everything you need to get around from day one.

Within Montevideo

STM — The bus system

The STM (Metropolitan Transit System) covers all of Montevideo and parts of Canelones and San José. It is the most economical way to get around.

• Fare (January 2026): $52 UYU per hour with an electronic STM card, $64 UYU in cash. 2-hour ticket: $78 UYU (electronic).
• The STM Card can be purchased at Abitab, RedPagos, or STM offices (~$100 UYU). It can be reloaded at the same locations.
• Main bus company: CUTCSA (cutcsa.com.uy). COETC, COME, and Raincoop also operate in the area.
• Recommended app: Cómo Ir (Android/iOS) — real-time tracking of all buses in Montevideo.

Uber and Cabify

Both operate legally in Uruguay and are widely used. Uber is the most widespread and reliable. Cabify is a good option for scheduled trips.

• Uber: the most popular option. It works perfectly from the airport.
• Cabify: great for booking in advance.
• Traditional taxis: white with a black stripe. Easy Taxi app. Metered fare.

Bicycle — MiMovi

The City of Montevideo operates a public bike-sharing system called MiMovi, with stations located throughout the city. The Rambla has extensive bike lanes—perfect for riding from work to the beach.

Car rental

Your driver's license from your home country is valid for 90 days in Uruguay. After that, you'll need a Uruguayan driver's license or an International Driving Permit (IDP). They drive on the right.

• Car rental at Carrasco Airport: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and local companies.
• P2P alternative: TripWip (a Uruguayan app for renting cars from private individuals). Cheaper and more flexible.

Click here to learn more about TripWip

Between cities

Omnibus — The main option

Uruguay has an excellent intercity bus network. Most cities in the interior can be reached in 2 to 6 hours from Montevideo. The main bus station is Terminal Tres Cruces (at the corner of General Flores and Bulevar Artigas).

URUBUS It's the online booking platform where you can buy tickets from all the bus companies: COPSA, COT, Turil, CITA, Núñez, Bussur, and EGA.

• Colonia del Sacramento: 2.5 hours — ~$350–500 UYU
• Punta del Este: 2 hours — ~$400–600 UYU
• Salto (hot springs): 5–6 hours — ~$800–1,100 UYU
• Paysandú: 4.5 hours — ~$650–850 UYU
• La Paloma / Rocha: 3 hours — ~$450–600 UYU
• Rivera: 5.5h — ~$800–1,000 UYU

Carpooling — Viatik

Viatik is a Uruguayan platform that connects drivers and passengers for intercity trips. It’s not a bus—it’s carpooling with someone who’s already heading in that direction. It’s more flexible and often cheaper. Over 70,000 registered users. Most popular routes: Montevideo ↔ Maldonado, Salto, Paysandú.

Ferry — Montevideo ↔ Buenos Aires

One of the most popular routes among expats in the region. Two main options:

• Buquebus: Montevideo ↔ Buenos Aires, port to port. ~3 hours. The most direct route.
• Seacat / FRS: Colonia del Sacramento ↔ Buenos Aires. ~1-hour crossing. Cheaper if you’re traveling from Colonia.

Flights

Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is the country's main hub. Direct flights to Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Lima, Bogotá, Madrid, Paris, Miami, and other destinations. Major airlines: LATAM, Aerolíneas Argentinas, American, Air France, Iberia, Copa.

Domestic flights are very limited (PLUNA went out of business years ago). For destinations within Uruguay, the bus is the standard option.