By air, Punta del Este has its own international airport at Laguna del Sauce (PDP), about 20 km from the resort centre. In summer, direct flights run from Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and a handful of other South American cities. Outside the peak season the airport is much less active and connections are limited; it may be easier to fly into Montevideo (MVD), about 140 km west.
By bus from Montevideo, the journey takes about two hours and runs frequently through the summer with several operators from the main terminal at Tres Cruces. This is the standard option for people staying in Montevideo who want a day or weekend trip. The bus drops at the Punta del Este terminal on the edge of the resort.
By car from Montevideo the drive is straightforward on Route 1 and takes around two hours. Traffic on the road into Punta can be severe on summer Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons — allow extra time.
A regular ferry and catamaran service connects Buenos Aires with Montevideo (from where you take the bus), and in summer some services run directly to Colonia and onward by bus.