Airport Hubs:
MVD → Montevideo (Centro, Tres Cruces & Pocitos) Updated for 2026

How to Get from Montevideo Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Centro & Pocitos

Distance 19 km
Fastest 25 min
From 110 - 130 UYU (~$3.00)
Top Pick COPSA / COT Express Bus / Uber / Official Remise
Quick 10-Second Verdict:

Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is 19 km east of central Montevideo. Frequent intercity coaches (COPSA and COT) depart outside the terminal every 10-15 minutes directly to Tres Cruces Bus Terminal and Plaza Independencia in 40-50 minutes for 110 - 130 UYU (~$3.00 USD). For direct hotel delivery, Uber costs 600 - 900 UYU (~$15 - $22 USD), while an official pre-paid remise taxi costs 1,600 - 2,000 UYU (~$40 - $50 USD) in 25-35 minutes.

Designed by famed architect Rafael Viñoly, Carrasco Airport (MVD) is celebrated as one of the world's most architecturally stunning airports. Connecting to the historic Plaza Independencia, the Ciudad Vieja, or the seaside promenade of Pocitos is smooth and highly organized.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option Typical Time 2026 Fare Frequency Best For Booking / Info
COPSA / COT Intercity Express Coach Best Overall
40–50 min
110 - 130 UYU
~$3.00 / €2.75
 Every 10-15 min Budget travelers, backpackers, and solo tourists heading to Tres Cruces or Centro See Boarding Steps ↓
Uber / Cabify / Official Remise Fastest
25–35 min
600 - 900 UYU
~$15 - $22 / €14 - €20
 Every 3-5 min Couples, families, travelers with heavy bags, and direct Pocitos beach delivery Book Montevideo Transfer

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Best Overall

COPSA / COT Intercity Express Coach

110 - 130 UYU ~$3.00 / €2.75
Travel time 40–50 min
Frequency Every 10-15 min
Operating hours 05:30 - 23:30 daily
Where to buy tickets Pay cash directly to the bus driver upon boarding.
Main advantage: Only 130 UYU ($3 USD); departs every 10-15 minutes; clean and reliable.
Keep in mind: Stops frequently along Avenida Italia.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Exit the ground floor arrivals to the bus stop on the boulevard.
  2. Board any COPSA or COT coach with a sign reading "Montevideo / Tres Cruces / Plaza Independencia".
  3. Pay the driver ~130 UYU cash.
  4. Disembark at Tres Cruces or Plaza Independencia.
Option #2 Fastest

Uber / Cabify / Official Remise

600 - 900 UYU ~$15 - $22 / €14 - €20
Travel time 25–35 min
Frequency Every 3-5 min
Operating hours 24/7 continuous
Where to buy tickets Request via Uber app or visit the official Remis counter in arrivals.
Main advantage: Takes only 25 minutes; door-to-door convenience; scenic drive via the Rambla coastline.
Keep in mind: Official remise is pricier than Uber.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Open the Uber app upon landing or visit the official remise desk.
  2. Meet your driver at the passenger pickup lane.
  3. Enjoy the pleasant 25-minute cruise along the Rambla straight to your hotel.
Book Montevideo Transfer
ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for Uber / Cabify & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where Uber / Cabify pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get Uruguay eSIM on Airalo →Compare Uruguay Airport eSIM on Klook →
STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at Montevideo (MVD) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check Montevideo Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

For public buses (COPSA, COT), buy tickets directly from the driver upon boarding with Uruguayan Pesos or small US Dollars. Official remise and taxi companies have desks inside arrivals where fixed tariffs can be paid by credit card.

Traveling with Suitcases

COT and COPSA suburban buses have undercarriage luggage storage compartments.

Arriving After Midnight

Uruguay is exceptionally safe. Uber and official remise drivers operate 24/7 along the scenic Rambla coastal boulevard.

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

  • Paying high official remise rates ($50 USD) when Uber is completely legal, highly reliable, and costs around $18 USD.
  • Missing the panoramic coastal route—ask your taxi driver to take the "Rambla" for gorgeous views of the Río de la Plata.
  • Uruguay is one of the safest countries in the Americas. Official taxis and remise services have transparent fixed tariffs posted at indoor counters. Local buses (COPSA, COT) stop right outside departures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much is an Uber from Montevideo Airport to Pocitos?

An Uber typically costs between 600 and 900 UYU (~$15 to $22 USD).

Where do the airport buses drop off in Montevideo?

Buses drop along Avenida 18 de Julio, terminating at Tres Cruces Bus Station or Plaza Independencia in the historic center.