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Travel to Uruguay

Flying to Uruguay

The national airline is PLUNA (PU) (www.pluna.com.uy).Other airlines with regular service to Montevideo's Carrasco airport include Iberia (IB) (www.iberia.com) and TAM (JJ) (www.tam.com.br). The most expensive time for flights to Uruguay is between Christmas and February; the cheapest is during the winter months (June - August).

Air notes:

airlines include American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), Iberia (IB), LAN (LA) and Qantas (QF). The pass must be bought outside South America in the country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 34 cities. A minimum of three flights must be booked; prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines (www.oneworld.com).

Flight times:

From London to Montevideo is 18 hours, including a connection in Madrid or São Paulo; from Miami (non-stop) is 9 hours.

Departure tax:

US$36 on international departures (US$17 to Buenos Aires), payable in cash (Uruguayan pesos or US dollars) or by credit card.

Driving to Uruguay

The main points of entry from Argentina are Paysandú (from Colón), Salto (from Concordia) and Fray Bentos (from Gualeguaychú).

From Brazil, the main point of entry is at Chuy (called Chuí on the Brazilian side). There are five lesser points of entry further west along the Uruguay-Brazil border: Río Branco (from Jaguarão), Aceguá (from Isidoro Noblía), Rivera (from Santana do Livramento), Artigas (from Quaraí), and Bella Unión (from Barra do Quaraí).

Uruguay's main international coach operator is EGA (tel 2902 5335; www.egakeguay.com), with services to Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil. Flecha Bus (tel 8723 9737; www.flechabus.com.ar) also runs regular coaches between Uruguay and Argentina.

Getting to Uruguay by boat

Montevideo, the main international port (www.anp.com.uy/montevideo), is served by cargo lines and cruise ships from the USA and Europe. Buquebus (www.buquebus.com) operates high-speed ferries between Montevideo and Buenos Aires (journey time - 3 hours).

Buquebus and Colonia Express (tel 4317 4100; www.coloniaexpress.com) also offer services from Colonia (160km/100 miles west of Montevideo) to Buenos Aires by ferry and hydrofoil. A port departure tax may be levied.

By water note:

Montevideo, the main international port (www.anp.com.uy/montevideo), is served by cargo lines and cruise ships from the USA and Europe. Buquebus (www.buquebus.com) operates high-speed ferries between Montevideo and Buenos Aires (journey time - 3 hours).

Buquebus and Colonia Express (tel 4317 4100; www.coloniaexpress.com) also offer services from Colonia (160km/100 miles west of Montevideo) to Buenos Aires by ferry and hydrofoil. A port departure tax may be levied.

River routes:

Cacciola (tel 2908 2244; www.cacciolaviajes.com) runs twice-daily boats across the Rio de la Plata from Carmelo, Uruguay to the Buenos Aires suburb of Tigre.

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