BlaakLane.com runs chauffeur service in Montevideo for Carrasco International Airport (MVD), cruise passengers at the Port of Montevideo, Buquebus ferry arrivals from Buenos Aires, hotel transfers in Carrasco, Pocitos and the Ciudad Vieja, and trips to Punta del Este and Colonia del Sacramento. A fixed fare shows before you confirm. Trips are driven by a vetted local affiliate; the confirmation names the operator and chauffeur.
Three ways into Montevideo, three pickup points
Montevideo visitors arrive by air, by sea or across the River Plate by ferry, and each has its own pickup routine. Enter the flight number, the ship name or the ferry sailing in the booking engine here or at /book/, choose a vehicle and see the fixed fare. The Toronto desk dispatches 24/7 to a vetted Montevideo affiliate from the LimousineWorldwide.Directory network. Summer programmes linking the city and Punta del Este, and multi-car delegations, are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing.
By air: Carrasco International (MVD)
The airport, officially General Cesareo L. Berisso and usually just called Carrasco, sits in Canelones just beyond the Carrasco neighbourhood, about 20 km east of the centre. Its terminal, opened in 2009 and designed by Rafael Vinoly, has a single long hall with arrivals on the lower level. After immigration and customs, standard pickup is curbside at the pre-arranged pickup area outside arrivals; the chauffeur sends the spot and plate. Meet and greet in the hall is an add-on, and add-ons are only available in selected locations. Flight tracking is standard, with 60 minutes of waiting from landing on international arrivals and 30 minutes on domestic, then 15-minute blocks. The Carrasco airport site lists terminal services.
By sea: the cruise port and the Buquebus terminal
Cruise ships berth at the Port of Montevideo, run by the Administracion Nacional de Puertos, right beside the Ciudad Vieja. The season runs roughly November to March. The chauffeur waits at the designated pickup point outside the passenger area, with 15 minutes of waiting included; Carrasco airport is 30 to 45 minutes away for disembarking passengers flying home. High-speed Buquebus ferries from Buenos Aires dock at the ferry terminal in the same port, a crossing of a little over two hours; others sail to Colonia and connect by road. See cruise lines and ports for group moves.
Drive times from the airport and the port
| Route | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| MVD to Carrasco hotels | 5-8 km | 10-15 min |
| MVD to Pocitos or Punta Carretas | 18-22 km | 25-40 min |
| MVD to the Ciudad Vieja and the port | about 22 km | 30-45 min |
| Montevideo to Punta del Este | about 130 km | 1 h 45 min-2 h 15 min |
| Montevideo to Jose Ignacio | about 170 km | 2 h 15 min-2 h 45 min |
| Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento | about 180 km | 2 h-2 h 30 min |
| Montevideo to the Carmelo wine area | about 250 km | 3-3 h 30 min |
Neighbourhoods along the Rambla
Montevideo follows its waterfront, the Rambla, for more than 20 km. The Ciudad Vieja holds the Mercado del Puerto, the Plaza Independencia with the Palacio Salvo, and the Solis Theatre. Centro runs up Avenida 18 de Julio. East along the river, Punta Carretas and Pocitos are the densest hotel and apartment districts, with the Punta Carretas shopping centre in a former prison. Carrasco, near the airport, has embassies, international schools and the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco in the restored 1921 hotel. The World Trade Center towers in Buceo host many regional offices. A day moving between the port area and Carrasco suits the hourly chauffeur service.
Events worth planning around
- January to early March: Carnaval, often described as the longest in the world, with the opening parade on 18 de Julio, murga contests at the Teatro de Verano and, usually in February, the Desfile de Llamadas candombe parade through Barrio Sur and Palermo.
- Holy Week: Semana de Turismo, when much of the country takes a week off and the roads east fill.
- October: Dia del Patrimonio, a heritage weekend when historic buildings open to the public.
- Football: the Estadio Centenario, built for the 1930 World Cup, hosts internationals and the Penarol and Nacional derby.
Conferences use the Montevideo hotels and the LATU exhibition centre; see event transportation. The Uruguay tourism board publishes current dates.
Corporate, embassy and free-zone travel
Montevideo hosts regional headquarters, shared-service centres in the Zonamerica business park on the airport side of the city, and a diplomatic community centred on Carrasco and Pocitos. Travel managers set up corporate accounts for monthly invoicing, cost centres, booker and traveller profiles, and duty-of-care trip data, with a named coordinator for roadshows and visiting delegations. A typical programme pairs a Carrasco arrival, a morning in the World Trade Center towers, lunch in the Ciudad Vieja and an evening flight, all on one hourly booking. Airline crews and seafarers joining ships in the port are booked the same way, with flight tracking on every airport leg.
Driving in Uruguay
Uruguay drives on the right, and roads are generally good. Main highways such as the Ruta Interbalnearia to Punta del Este carry electronic toll stations. Speed enforcement by camera is common. The Rambla is quick outside peak hours but slows on summer weekends. Winters from June to August are cool and windy, not snowy.
Choosing a vehicle
A Standard Sedan fits one or two travellers. An executive SUV carries a family with luggage to Punta del Este or Colonia in comfort. A Standard Black SUV or Sprinter Van moves a group off a cruise ship or to an estancia event, and minicoaches carry larger parties. The full list is on the fleet; fare inclusions are on rates. Child seats are free on request.
Entry notes and safety
Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and the EU generally enter Uruguay visa-free as tourists, usually for up to 90 days. Uruguay is among the region's calmer countries, though the US advises increased caution because of street crime; see the US travel advisory. Pre-booked cars from the port and airport remove any negotiation at the kerb.
Beyond Montevideo
Punta del Este is the classic summer transfer. Buenos Aires is a short flight or the ferry away, and Sao Paulo about 2.5 hours by air. See the Uruguay page and our intercity transfers.
Cancellation: free more than 72 hours ahead; 10% at 72 hours or less, 50% at 48 hours or less, 100% at 24 hours or less or no-show.
