Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Brazil.

Long-distance routes — Brazil's national rail network is limited; most intercity travel uses buses instead. Supervia operates commuter rail around Rio de Janeiro, while regional services exist in São Paulo. Book long-distance trains through Central de Atendimento da ABNT or direct operator websites well in advance.
Sleeper trains — The Trem da Serra da Mantiqueira and tourist routes offer scenic journeys but run sporadically. These are leisure experiences rather than practical transport; confirm schedules weeks ahead.
Trains are frequently delayed or cancelled due to maintenance issues and strikes. Never rely on trains for time-critical connections; buses are more reliable for long distances.

Metro systems — São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Recife have metro networks. São Paulo's CPTM is the largest; fares are roughly R$4–5 per trip. Metros are fast, safe and run until midnight or later on main lines.
Buses and BRTs — Buses are the backbone of city transport and reach everywhere metros don't. Rio's BRT and São Paulo's bus corridors offer faster service on dedicated lanes. Download the app of your city's operator (SPTrans, RioOnibus, etc.) to check routes and fares.
Contactless cards — Use reloadable transit cards (Bilhete Único in São Paulo, RioCard in Rio) instead of buying individual tickets. Cards are cheaper, faster and available at metro stations and newsstands.
Pickpocketing is common on crowded buses and metros during rush hours and late at night. Avoid displaying phones, cameras or jewellery; keep bags in front of you.
Bus strikes and metro maintenance can happen with little warning, especially in Rio and São Paulo. Check local news before relying on public transport for urgent travel.

Ride-sharing apps — Uber, 99 (99Pop and 99Taxi) and Cabify operate nationwide. Fares are transparent, upfront and paid by app, so no haggling needed. These are safer and often cheaper than street hailing, especially after dark.
Street taxis — Official white taxis with meters exist in most cities; always insist the driver uses the meter (taxímetro). At airports and tourist areas, pre-book taxis or use ride apps to avoid inflated fares.
Unmarked taxis and informal rides are a high robbery risk; only use registered white taxis with visible ID or app-based services. Never hail a taxi on the street late at night in unfamiliar areas.
Some 99 drivers may claim the app isn't working and ask for cash only; refuse and cancel the ride. Report the driver in the app for attempted fraud.
Ride-app registration — You need a valid phone number and payment method (credit card or local bank account via app) to use Uber or 99. Tourist SIM cards work fine for registration.

Driving in Brazil requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your home licence, or a notarised Portuguese translation of your licence. Fines for missing documentation can exceed R$300.
Traffic rules are frequently ignored, roads are poorly maintained and accident rates are high, especially on major highways. Avoid driving at night, particularly outside major cities.
Car rental — Rental companies (Hertz, Localiza, Unidas) operate nationwide but cars are expensive (R$100–250/day). An International Driving Permit is required; some firms add hefty insurance.
Tolls and speed cameras — Most highways use electronic tolls (pedágios); rental cars are automatically registered. Speed fines are issued electronically and can reach R$1,000+; limits are strictly enforced on federal highways.
Road robbery (assaltos) occurs on certain remote highways; avoid poorly lit areas and solo travel after sunset. Use well-established routes and consider hiring a driver via apps like Easy Táxi or Uber.

Major hubs — São Paulo's Guarulhos (GRU) is the main international gateway; Rio's Galeão (GIG), Brasília (BSB) and Belo Horizonte (CNF) also handle international flights. Domestic flights are frequent and cheap (often R$100–300).
Getting to airports — Most major airports have express buses (fretados) costing R$30–50, or pre-book Uber/99 for reliability. Taxis from airport ranks charge high fixed rates; always use the official taxi stand or ride apps.
Domestic flights — Book with LATAM, Azul, Gol or Voepass through their apps or travel agents. Prices are competitive and routes extensive; baggage allowances vary so check before booking.
Arrive 3 hours early for international flights and 2 hours for domestic; Brazilian airports can be slow and chaotic. Security queues are unpredictable.
Visa requirements — Most nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia) require a visa to enter Brazil or pay a reciprocity fee at arrival. Check with your embassy well before travel.

Rio ferries — The iconic Baía de Guanabara ferry connects Rio's city centre to Niterói and outlying areas; it's cheap (R$6–8) and scenic. Barca S/A operates most ferries; they run frequently throughout the day.
Amazon and coastal routes — Overnight riverboat journeys connect towns in the Amazon and are an experience in themselves. Book through local travel agents or direct with operators like Cruzeiros Amazônicos; cabins range from hammock space (R$50) to private rooms (R$300+).
Beach island ferries — Regular services connect mainland to islands like Morretes (Paraná) and smaller beach escapes. Journey times are usually 30 minutes to 2 hours; fares are R$20–50.
River transport in remote areas (Amazon, Pantanal) can be slow, uncomfortable and prone to delays. Verify the vessel's safety record and weather conditions before booking.

Long-distance buses — Buy bus tickets through ClickBus, Ticket Bus, 1001 or directly from operators' websites (Greyhound, Buser). Prices range from R$50–300 depending on distance and season; advance booking is cheaper.
Transit passes — Multi-trip passes (Passe de Vale) and weekly/monthly passes (Cartão de Crédito) are available in most cities. These offer 20–30% discounts compared to single fares.
Tourist passes — Some cities offer tourist metro/bus passes (e.g. Rio's Cartão Operacional) valid for 1–7 days. These simplify planning but may not save money unless you travel extensively.
Student discounts — Valid student ID (ISIC or local university card) grants 50% discounts on long-distance buses and some transport; you may need a brazillian student card for some operators.
Ticket resellers at bus stations may overcharge tourists or sell invalid passes. Buy directly from the operator or official vendors only.

Local SIM cards — Buy prepaid SIM cards from Vivo, Tim, Claro or Oi at airports, malls or convenience stores for R$20–40. Activation is instant; recharge online via their apps or at any shop.
Data plans — Prepaid data packages are cheap: R$10–30 for 5–10 GB monthly. 4G coverage is excellent in cities and most highways but patchy in remote areas like the Amazon and interior regions.
International roaming — Using your home SIM is very expensive (R$15–30/GB). A local SIM is far better value; eSIM options are not yet widely supported by Brazilian carriers.
Theft of phones is common; keep your device secure and register your new SIM number with important contacts in case of loss. Some apps like Uber and 99 require SMS verification.
WiFi and transport — Most buses, metros and airports offer free WiFi but quality is unreliable. For transport booking and navigation, always have a working local SIM with data.