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MONTEVIDEOLeaving Montevideo–Carrasco International: transport guide

Montevideo–Carrasco International · Uruguay
MVD
Low riskUpdated June 2026High confidence

Calm, well-organized airport. Official COT/Tres Cruces buses or fixed-fare taxi/remise — minimal scam risk. Uber and Cabify legal and reliable.

TL;DR

MVD (Montevideo–Carrasco International) is the main international airport serving Montevideo, Uruguay. The recommended way out is Take Uber/Cabify or COT bus to city centre (~UYU$1,500–UYU$2,200 taxi / UYU$140 bus, 25–35 min taxi / 40–60 min bus). Pickup is at COT bus bay outside Arrivals; rideshare at curb. The most common scam to watch for is "None of significance". Fares on the MVD → Pocitos route typically run UYU$1,500–UYU$2,200; anything above UYU$5,000+ unauthorized is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Take Uber/Cabify or COT bus to city centre

Typical fare
UYU$1,500–UYU$2,200 taxi / UYU$140 bus
Journey time
25–35 min taxi / 40–60 min bus
Pickup
COT bus bay outside Arrivals; rideshare at curb
WARNING · Cash UYU not always needed — Uruguay is highly cashless
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
Uber / Cabify
UYU$1,200–UYU$1,8003–10 min💳Card
Fixed-fare taxi (desk)
UYU$1,500–UYU$2,200Immediate💳Card / Cash
COT bus to Tres Cruces
UYU$140Every 30 min💳Card / Cash—
Remise (pre-booked car)
UYU$1,800–UYU$2,500Pre-arranged💳Card—
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Clear immigration
  2. 2Collect bags, clear customs
  3. 3Choose Uber/Cabify (door-to-door), fixed-fare taxi, or COT bus
  4. 4COT bus tickets at the kiosk
  5. 5Total to Pocitos/Centro: 25–35 min
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
86/ 100
Easy exit
  • Scam risk90
  • Public transport80
  • Ride-hailing85
  • Signage clarity80
  • Payment convenience85
04

Fare reality check

MVD → Pocitos
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    UYU$1,500–UYU$2,200
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    UYU$3,500+
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    UYU$5,000+ unauthorized
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 1

    Uber / Cabify

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    UYU$1,200–UYU$1,800
    Journey
    25–35 min
    Wait
    3–10 min
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Tracked
    Cons
    • 2

      Fixed-fare taxi (desk)

      RECOMMENDED
      Cost
      UYU$1,500–UYU$2,200
      Journey
      25–35 min
      Wait
      Immediate
      Payment
      💳 Card / Cash
      Pros
      • Regulated
      Cons
      • 3

        COT bus to Tres Cruces

        Cost
        UYU$140
        Journey
        40–60 min
        Wait
        Every 30 min
        Payment
        💳 Card / Cash
        Pros
        • Cheap
        • Comfortable
        Cons
        • Tres Cruces is a transfer hub
      • 4

        Remise (pre-booked car)

        Cost
        UYU$1,800–UYU$2,500
        Journey
        25–35 min
        Wait
        Pre-arranged
        Payment
        💳 Card
        Pros
        • Premium
        Cons
        • Pricier
      06

      Paying without surprises

      • Cards accepted nearly everywhere; foreign cards get tax-free benefit on tourism services
      07

      Common scams

      None of significance

      Medium risk

      Carrasco is one of the most low-scam airports in the region.

      HOW TO AVOID · Standard care with bags; use the desks and apps as listed.

      08

      What locals & travellers say

      MVD·Montevideo
      “Foreign cards skip the 22% VAT on restaurants, hotels and car hire — pay by card.”
      Official AirportTax-free for touristsChecked June 2026likely
      • "Foreign cards skip the 22% VAT on restaurants, hotels and car hire — pay by card." — Tax-free for tourists
      09

      Arrival checklist

      • Card (foreign card for VAT-free)
      • Uber/Cabify installed
      • Hotel address
      ✉︎

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      10

      MVD arrival FAQs

      What is the safest way to leave Montevideo–Carrasco International?
      Take Uber/Cabify or COT bus to city centre. Cash UYU not always needed — Uruguay is highly cashless.
      Are taxis at MVD safe?
      Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals, confirm the meter is on before pulling away, and never accept a fare from someone approaching you inside the terminal. Risk profile for this airport: low.
      Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at MVD?
      Yes — Uber / Cabify works at MVD. Typical cost UYU$1,200–UYU$1,800, journey ~25–35 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
      How much should a taxi from MVD to the city centre cost?
      Expected fare on the MVD → Pocitos route is roughly UYU$1,500–UYU$2,200. Anything around UYU$3,500+ is high — UYU$5,000+ unauthorized is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
      Do I need cash for a taxi at MVD?
      Carry small local notes — Fixed-fare taxi (desk) expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
      Where is the official taxi pickup at Montevideo–Carrasco International?
      COT bus bay outside Arrivals; rideshare at curb. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
      Is MVD safe to arrive at late at night?
      MVD is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
      What scams should I watch for at MVD?
      The most reported at MVD: None of significance. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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