1 Starting point
Departs from the city of Tacuarembó
Steps from downtown, near El Arrayán. You head out early and you're already on board.
Home Tacuarembó – Rivera Passenger Train
Experience · Transport Tacuarembó – Rivera Passenger Train
4 km · 8 min from El Arrayán Mondays and Fridays 07:00 Tacuarembó / 16:15 Rivera 2h10 · 99 km $200 for the full trip Uruguay's only passenger train
Why it's worth it
It's the local line that connects Tacuarembó with Rivera, used mostly by people from the region's rural areas to get between stations and country stops. It wasn't built for tourism, but more and more travelers are joining the ride: for the panoramic views of fields and hills, and for crossing the country's only railway tunnel. It's also the only active passenger train in all of Uruguay — cheap, slow and picturesque.
Confirm before you travel
The schedules and fares on this page have been in effect since April 7, 2025, according to AFE, but they can change without notice. It doesn't run on non-working holidays. Check the day's schedule on AFE's official website
What you'll see
A local train that is also an experience
Hover over each scene for the detail.
1 
2 Scenery
Fields and hills at a gentle pace
Views no bus can give you, at a speed that invites you to look out the window.
3 Route
Hills and native woodland
Small villages like Tranqueras and Paso Ataques lie along the way, at a slow, panoramic pace.
4 ★ Unmissable
The Bañado de Rocha tunnel
One of the trip's most beautiful moments: Uruguay's only railway tunnel.
5 Historic Monument
200 meters under the hill
Opened in 1892, a National Historic Monument. The passenger train crosses it along the way.
6 Real transport
A local train, open to everyone
It's used mostly by people from rural areas to get between stations. Cheap ($200 for the full trip) and with no onboard services — but more and more travelers are joining just for the experience.
Schedule
Round trip, Mondays and Fridays
With this schedule you can go and come back in the same day: you arrive in Rivera at 9:10 and head back at 16:15 — about 7 hours to explore the city and the border with Brazil.
Outbound — Train 1921 · Tacuarembó → Rivera
| Station | Arrives | Departs |
|---|---|---|
| Tacuarembó | — | 07:00 |
| Bañado de Rocha | 07:20 | 07:21 |
| Paso del Cerro | 07:40 | 07:41 |
| Laureles | 07:56 | 07:57 |
| Brigadas Civiles | 08:16 | 08:17 |
| Tranqueras | 08:24 | 08:25 |
| Paso Ataques | 08:40 | 08:41 |
| Rivera | 09:10 | — |
Return — Train 1920 · Rivera → Tacuarembó
| Station | Arrives | Departs |
|---|---|---|
| Rivera | — | 16:15 |
| Paso Ataques | 16:44 | 16:45 |
| Tranqueras | 17:01 | 17:01 |
| Brigadas Civiles | 17:08 | 17:09 |
| Laureles | 17:28 | 17:29 |
| Paso del Cerro | 17:44 | 17:45 |
| Bañado de Rocha | 18:06 | 18:06 |
| Tacuarembó | 18:25 | — |
Besides these stations, the train makes optional stops at rural kilometer posts, not relevant for visitors.
Price and tickets
Fares from Tacuarembó
| Bañado de Rocha | $55 |
| Paso del Cerro | $55 |
| Laureles | $90 |
| Brigadas Civiles | $120 |
| Tranqueras | $120 |
| Paso Ataques | $200 |
| Rivera | $200 |
The fare is the same in both directions.
How to buy
At the station, not online
AFE tickets are bought at the station or on board the train. There's no online sale, so it's best to arrive a bit early to secure your seat. (Confirm the process and availability with AFE before traveling.)
Getting to the station
From El Arrayán
AFE Station
The station is downtown in the city of Tacuarembó, about 4 km · 8 min from El Arrayán. You head out early, leave the car or come on foot/by taxi, and spend the full day in Rivera.
Practical info
Before you go
- Operator
- AFE (Administración de Ferrocarriles del Estado)
- Days
- Mondays and Fridays
- Duration
- ~2 h 10 min · 99 km
- Price
- $200 for the full trip
- Tickets
- At the station or on board · no online sales
- Holidays
- Doesn't run on non-working holidays
- Good for a round trip?
- Yes, ~7 h in Rivera between trains
- Onboard services
- Not confirmed — a simple ride, no café car
- Distinctive feature
- Uruguay's only active passenger train
Alejandro and Yanet's tip
"It's a train the locals use, but more and more guests come here just to ride it. You head out early from here, you get almost the whole day in Rivera, and you come back at night. Bring some cash for the ticket and get to the station with time to spare."
— Alejandro and Yanet · hosts of El Arrayán
Combine with 
The rest of your stay
The train takes up the whole day. Use the rest of your stay for the rest of Tacuarembó.
Tacuarembó Museums
Downtown, near the station. Ideal before catching the train or on your way back.
4 km · 8 min Valle Edén and the Carlos Gardel Museum
Another day of your stay: a hanging bridge and the area's most iconic museum.
26.8 km · 25 min Laguna de las Lavanderas
A 1-minute walk from El Arrayán. Perfect for resting the night you get back from the train.
600 m · 2 min Frequently asked questions
What people ask
What days does the train from Tacuarembó to Rivera run?
It runs on Mondays and Fridays (except non-working holidays). The outbound train leaves Tacuarembó at 07:00 and arrives in Rivera at 09:10. The return leaves Rivera at 16:15 and arrives in Tacuarembó at 18:25.
How much does the train from Tacuarembó to Rivera cost?
The full Tacuarembó–Rivera trip costs $200. There are lower fares for the intermediate stations, starting at $55.
How long does the train ride from Tacuarembó to Rivera take?
About 2 hours and 10 minutes, covering roughly 99 km between the two cities.
Where do you buy the train tickets?
AFE tickets are bought at the station, or on board. There's no online sale, so it's best to arrive a bit early.
Can you go and come back in the same day?
Yes. You arrive in Rivera at 9:10 and the return leaves at 16:15, so you have about 7 hours to explore the city and the border with Brazil before heading back.
What is the Bañado de Rocha tunnel?
It's Uruguay's only railway tunnel and a National Historic Monument. It's about 200 meters long, opened in 1892, and the passenger train crosses it during the trip.
El Arrayán
Want to have this experience?
Stay at El Arrayán, minutes from the station, and head out early toward Rivera. Direct booking on WhatsApp, hosted by Alejandro and Yanet.