Taxis & Rideshare in Montevideo (2026) - Grab, Uber & More

In Montevideo, the dominant door-to-door option is the city's licensed black-and-yellow taxis, which you can hail on the street, find at clearly marked taxi stands outside shopping malls, bus terminals, and Parque Rodó, or call/radio via the widely used "TaxiAeropuerto" or "EcoTaxi" dispatch apps. Trips are metered by the city's official tariff, so simply tell the driver your destination, watch the meter start at "bajada de bandera," and pay in cash (Uruguayan pesos) or with a major credit card if the cab is equipped with a reader. Drivers generally speak basic Spanish. Having your address written down or shown on a phone map helps. For extra convenience, the same apps that take phone bookings also let you pre-book a set-fare ride to Carrasco International Airport or schedule early-morning pickups. Rideshare alternatives such as Uber and inDrive do operate in Montevideo. But they work only through their respective smartphone apps, there is no street-hail option. After downloading the app and registering with an international card, you pin your pickup point (most city neighborhoods have good coverage), confirm the destination, and track the car in real time. Choose rideshare when you prefer cashless payment, an electronic receipt, or the ability to share your route with friends. Choose a traditional taxi when you need an immediate ride without waiting for app matching, when traveling from late-night spots where taxis already queue, or when internet signal is poor. Both services run all day. But taxis are typically fastest to flag during rush hour along Avenida 18 de Julio, while rideshares can be easier to secure in outer barrios after midnight.