South America > 🇺🇾 Uruguay
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Uruguay can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Uruguay; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Uruguay?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Uruguay?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Uruguay
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | MVD |
Getting Around Without a Car 🚍🚆
Uruguay offers a surprisingly effective public-transport network. Although the national railway barely operates and plays no meaningful role for travellers, buses cover the entire country.
Why Buses Work Well
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They run frequently between Montevideo, Punta del Este, Colonia, and inland towns.
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They’re affordable and comfortable.
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They link major beaches and resorts directly, so you don’t waste time navigating.
Because of this, many visitors spend their entire trip on buses and taxis without any inconvenience.
When a Car Does Make Sense 🚗🌊
Even though buses work well, a car opens up Uruguay’s quieter corners. You can reach wild Atlantic beaches, small wine estates, hot springs in the north, and rural estancias. Driving is easy because:
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Roads are smooth and well signposted.
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Traffic is light compared with neighbouring countries.
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Drivers are generally calm.
A rental car becomes especially useful if you want to see Cabo Polonio, José Ignacio, Garzón, Piriápolis, Punta del Diablo, or the Rocha coastline, where buses exist but don’t always match ideal timings.
Montevideo Without a Car 🚶♂️🚕
You definitely won’t need a car in the capital. The historic Ciudad Vieja, the Rambla waterfront, the port market, and the museum district all link easily by foot, taxi, or rideshare. Parking can be awkward, so many visitors wisely start their trip with no car at all.
Colonia & Punta del Este — By Bus or Car?
Colonia del Sacramento
The UNESCO old town is tiny and perfect for walking 🚶♀️. Because ferries from Buenos Aires arrive directly at the terminal next to the historic quarter, a car feels unnecessary unless you’re continuing deeper into the country.
Punta del Este
This is more spread out, so a car helps if you’re exploring beaches and neighbourhoods beyond the peninsula. Still, local buses and plenty of taxis make it workable without driving.
Long-Distance Options
There are no meaningful passenger trains in Uruguay at the moment, so you’ll rely on buses or a rental car for inland journeys. Distances are manageable:
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Montevideo → Colonia: ~180 km
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Montevideo → Punta del Este: ~130 km
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Montevideo → Rocha: ~210 km
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Montevideo → Salto (hot springs): ~500 km
A car halves travel time compared with some indirect bus routes.
Verdict — Should You Rent a Car in Uruguay? 🇺🇾❓
🚫 No, if you’re sticking to Montevideo, Colonia, and Punta del Este.
Buses are fast, cheap, and dependable, and walking is easy in cities.
🚗 Yes, if you want the best of Uruguay’s landscapes.
For Atlantic beaches, nature reserves, wineries, and rural stays, a rental car adds huge flexibility and turns the trip into a proper road-trip adventure.