Mendoza Wine Tour Transport: Taxis vs Private Drivers (2026 Prices)
The definitive logistics breakdown: why Uber fails in vineyards, how to hire a remis driver, and 2026 day rates.
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make when planning their Mendoza wine itinerary is assuming they can easily call an Uber or grab a taxi between wineries. The reality is much different. The distances are vast, cell service is patchy, and relying on ride-hailing apps can leave you stranded among the vines.
Mendoza's wine regions—Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, and the Uco Valley—are spread out over hundreds of kilometers. Getting between them requires planning. Here is the ultimate 2026 guide to navigating Mendoza's wine country safely and efficiently.
2026 Mendoza Transport Comparison
| Transport Option | Best For | Reliability | Avg. Cost (Full Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚐 Private Driver (Remis) ★ Top Choice |
Custom itineraries, groups, Uco Valley | ✓ Excellent | $120 - $180 USD Charter Private Driver on Viator → |
| 🍷 Guided VIP Wine Tour | Solo travelers, couples, luxury private sommelier days | ✓ Excellent | $320 - $550 USD (incl. tastings & pairings) Viator Private Collection → · GetYourGuide VIP → |
| 📱 Uber & Cabify | City center trips, dinners in Mendoza city | ✗ Poor outside city | Varies (Not recommended) |
| 🔑 Rental Car | Sober drivers, extended Patagonia trips | ⚠ Good (Zero tolerance law) |
$60 - $90 USD Compare on DiscoverCars → |
The Problem with Uber & Taxis in Mendoza
While Uber and Cabify work perfectly fine within the Mendoza city limits for getting to dinner, they are highly unreliable for wine touring.
If you take an Uber from the city to a winery in Luján de Cuyo, you will likely get there without issue. However, when you finish your tasting three hours later, you will discover that there are no Ubers operating in the vineyard areas to take you to your next stop. Compounding the problem, cell service drops dramatically in remote regions like the Uco Valley, leaving you without an internet connection to hail a ride.
"We took a taxi to our first winery in Luján de Cuyo, only to realize the driver wouldn't wait. We spent two hours trying to find a ride back to the city."
The Gold Standard: Private Drivers (Remis)
The standard way to navigate the best wineries in Mendoza independently is by hiring a remis (a registered private driver) for the entire day. The driver picks you up at your hotel, drives you to your first winery, waits in the parking lot while you taste, and drives you to your subsequent reservations.
How much does a private driver cost in 2026?
- Maipú & Luján de Cuyo: $100 - $130 USD for a full day (up to 3 wineries).
- Uco Valley: $150 - $180 USD for a full day (due to the 90-minute drive each way).
Prices are usually quoted per vehicle (not per person), making this an incredibly economical option for groups of three or four.
Book a Private Mendoza Vineyard Chauffeur (Full Day)
Lock in a dedicated private vehicle and driver for your full day across Luján de Cuyo or Uco Valley. Total freedom to taste without checkpoints, with door-to-door hotel pickup, luggage storage, and optional sommelier guidance.
Need Private Intercity Transfers or Luggage Transport?
For long-distance routes across Argentina, airport-to-lodge connections, or private custom journeys with sightseeing stops along the way, book through Daytrip with dedicated licensed drivers and fixed upfront rates.
Private Mendoza Luxury Wine Experience (Helicopter & Premium Tasting)
Soar above the snow-capped Andes and emerald vineyard patchwork in a chartered helicopter straight to exclusive high-altitude estates in the Uco Valley. Includes private cellar access, library vintage tastings with chief winemakers, and an unforgettable multi-course pairing lunch by a Michelin-caliber chef.
Need a Bespoke Private Itinerary with an English-speaking Sommelier?
Looking for exclusive access to closed-door boutique cellars, private barrel tastings with icon winemakers, or seamless helicopter & luxury lodge coordination? Our editorial sommelier concierge crafts tailored private itineraries.
🍷 Inquire via VIP Concierge →What about Renting a Car?
Renting a car offers the ultimate freedom, but Argentina has strict zero-tolerance drink driving laws (0.0% BAC). If you are pulled over at a police checkpoint (which are common on the routes back to the city in the late afternoon) with any alcohol in your system, you face severe fines and vehicle impoundment. Unless you have a designated driver who will not be drinking, do not drive between wineries.
However, renting a car is the best option for scenic non-drinking days (e.g. driving to Potrerillos Dam, Cacheuta, or transferring luggage between Mendoza city and luxury lodges in Uco Valley). If you plan to rent, compare all major airport suppliers with full zero-deductible insurance: