Getting Around Brazil
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use metros and buses in São Paulo and Rio. Rural: Rent a car for coastal exploration. Amazon: River boats and internal flights. For convenience, book airport transfers from São Paulo to your destination.
Train Travel
Limited National Rail
Passenger trains are scarce, focused on tourist routes like the Serra Verde Express in Paraná connecting Curitiba to Morretes.
Cost: Curitiba to Morretes R$100-200 round-trip, journeys 2-3 hours through scenic Atlantic Forest.
Tickets: Book via official websites or apps like Trem do Pantanal, advance purchase recommended for weekends.
Peak Times: Avoid holidays like Carnival for availability, early morning departures popular.
Tourist Rail Passes
Tourist train packages offer multi-day access to routes like the Trem do Pantanal in Mato Grosso do Sul for R$500-800.
Best For: Scenic experiences over practical travel, ideal for 2-3 day excursions in nature areas.
Where to Buy: Operator websites, local agencies, or train stations with guided tour inclusions.
Regional Connections
Limited intercity options like the Rio de Janeiro to Petrópolis train, with connections to urban metros.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead for peak seasons, discounts for groups up to 20%.
Main Stations: Central do Brasil in Rio, with links to buses for broader coverage.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for coastal roads and rural areas like the Pantanal. Compare rental prices from R$100-200/day at São Paulo Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international permit recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised due to road conditions, verify theft protection in rentals.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 60 km/h urban, 110 km/h highways, 80 km/h rural roads.
Tolls: Common on BR highways like BR-101, expect R$5-20 per toll, use electronic tags for ease.
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and buses, roundabouts common in cities.
Parking: Street parking regulated, garages R$10-30/day in urban areas like Rio.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations widespread at R$5.50-6.50/liter for gasoline, R$5-6 for ethanol.
Apps: Use Waze or Google Maps for real-time traffic, download offline maps for remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in São Paulo and Rio during rush hours 7-10 AM and 5-8 PM.
Urban Transport
Metros & Trams
Extensive systems in São Paulo (11 lines) and Rio (4 lines), single ticket R$4.50-5, day pass R$15-20.
Validation: Use contactless cards or app payments, fines for non-validation up to R$200.
Apps: Metrô SP or Rio's MetrôRio for schedules, live tracking, and ticket purchases.
Bike Rentals
Bike Itaú sharing in São Paulo and Bike Rio in Rio, R$5-15/day with docking stations citywide.
Routes: Protected lanes along beaches in Rio and parks in São Paulo for safe cycling.
Tours: Guided eco-tours in cities like Florianópolis, blending urban exploration with fitness.
Buses & Local Services
SPTrans in São Paulo, Moovit-integrated buses nationwide, fares R$4-6 per ride.
Tickets: Buy via app or onboard, contactless accepted in major cities.
Intercity Buses: Extensive network by companies like Viação 1001, R$50-150 for São Paulo to Rio.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near metro stations in cities for easy access, Copacabana in Rio or Vila Madalena in São Paulo for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (Dec-Feb) and major festivals like Carnival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable weather travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities like São Paulo and Rio, 3G/4G in most rural areas with some Amazon gaps.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from R$20 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Claro, Vivo, and TIM offer prepaid SIMs from R$20-50 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, phone shops, or supermarkets with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for R$50, 10GB for R$80, unlimited for R$100/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in hotels, malls, cafes, and tourist spots in urban areas.
Public Hotspots: Airports and major squares offer free access, but use VPN for security.
Speed: 20-50 Mbps in cities, slower in remote regions but sufficient for basics.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Multiple zones: Brasília Time (BRT, UTC-3) main, Amazon UTC-4, Acre UTC-5; no daylight saving.
- Airport Transfers: São Paulo GRU 25km from center, metro/train R$10 (45 min), taxi R$100, or book private transfer for R$80-150.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals (R$10-20/day) and services in major cities like Rio.
- Accessibility: Metros in big cities wheelchair-friendly, but rural buses and historic sites vary.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on select buses (extra fee R$50), check airline and accommodation rules.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on buses for R$10-20 off-peak, free on some metros with folding options.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Brazil
São Paulo GRU is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales or Kiwi for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU): Primary international gateway, 25km northeast of city with metro links.
Rio Galeão (GIG): Key hub 20km from center, bus to Rio R$20 (1 hour).
Brasília (BSB): Central airport with domestic focus, convenient for interior Brazil.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for peak summer (Dec-Feb) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Buenos Aires and busing to southern Brazil for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Gol, Azul, and LATAM offer affordable domestic flights across Brazil.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and internal transfers when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee R$10-20, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express less common in smaller establishments.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay widely used, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most places.
- Cash: Still needed for markets, small cafes, and rural areas, keep R$100-200 in small denominations.
- Tipping: 10% service charge common in restaurants, add extra 5% for great service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.