Carrasco International Airport transfer
This page covers private transfers from Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to the capital's Old Town and the resorts of Uruguay's coast: Punta del Este, La Barra, José Ignacio, Piriápolis, La Paloma and Punta del Diablo, plus Colonia del Sacramento to the west.
- Airport code
- MVD
- City
- Montevideo
- Country
- UY
- Route guides
- 8
You book a car or minivan for your party only. The total price is agreed before booking and does not change if your flight is late or the summer traffic is heavy.
Transfers from this airport
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo26 km · 51–64 min
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → Piriápolis87 km · 88–110 min
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → Punta del Este120 km · 109–137 min
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → La Barra128 km · 120–150 min
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → José Ignacio150 km · 131–164 min
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → Colonia del Sacramento195 km · 162–203 min
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → La Paloma213 km · 178–223 min
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → Punta del Diablo280 km · 222–278 min
Arriving at Carrasco
Carrasco International Airport is east of central Montevideo, close to the start of the coast road towards Punta del Este. That position works in your favour: the beach resorts are reached without crossing the city, while the Old Town is under an hour west.
The driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign. The exact meeting point is arranged directly with the local transfer company by phone or WhatsApp, so include your flight number when booking. Delays are followed, and the agreed price stays the same.
Destinations from MVD
- Montevideo Old Town
- Ciudad Vieja, 26 km west, about 51–64 minutes. Historic squares, the Mercado del Puerto and the port terminal for ferries to Buenos Aires.
- Piriápolis
- An older, family-oriented resort 87 km east, around an hour and a half along the Interbalnearia.
- Punta del Este and La Barra
- Uruguay's best-known resort, 120 km away and roughly two hours. La Barra lies just beyond, across the wavy bridge over the Arroyo Maldonado.
- José Ignacio
- A low-rise village around a lighthouse, 150 km away, about two and a quarter to two and three quarter hours.
- La Paloma and Punta del Diablo
- The surf and fishing villages of Rocha, three to four and a half hours east. These are the longest rides from the airport.
- Colonia del Sacramento
- The colonial river port 195 km west, about two and three quarters to three and a half hours, with a historic quarter on the UNESCO list.
Roads and drive times
Eastbound trips use Ruta 101 from the airport to reach the Interbalnearia, the dual carriageway that runs past the Costa de Oro beach towns towards Piriápolis and Punta del Este. Beyond Maldonado the coast resorts continue on smaller roads, and the Rocha villages are reached via Ruta 9 inland.
The spread is wide. Ciudad Vieja is under an hour, Piriápolis around 90 minutes, Punta del Este, La Barra and José Ignacio two to three hours, and La Paloma or Punta del Diablo three to four and a half hours. Colonia, to the west, takes close to three hours.
Picking a vehicle
- Car
- For one to three passengers with normal luggage. Comfortable for the city and for the two-hour run to Punta.
- Minivan
- For up to about seven people, or smaller groups carrying a lot of summer luggage. A sensible choice for the long rides to Rocha.
- Extras
- Request child seats in advance. Surfboards for La Paloma or Punta del Diablo, and golf bags, must be declared when booking.
Summer high season
Uruguay's beach season runs from about December to March. The busiest weeks are from late December to February, with peaks around Christmas and New Year and again at Carnival, when many visitors from Argentina and Brazil arrive. Flights are full, the Interbalnearia gets busy on changeover days and some resorts book out, so reserve transfers early.
Outside summer the coast is calm and many seasonal restaurants and rental houses close, especially in José Ignacio and the Rocha villages. Montevideo and Colonia stay lively year-round.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the transfer from Montevideo Airport to Punta del Este?
About 109–137 minutes for 120 km on the Interbalnearia. Allow more on peak summer weekends.
Can I go straight from MVD to Colonia del Sacramento?
Yes. Colonia is 195 km west and the drive usually takes about two and three quarters to three and a half hours.
Is the transfer shared?
No. The vehicle is reserved for your group only, with no stops for other passengers.
What if my flight is delayed?
Share your flight number when booking. The driver follows the actual arrival time and the price agreed before booking does not change.
Do I need to book early for New Year?
Yes. Late December and the Carnival period are the busiest weeks on the coast, and vehicles fill up early.