How to get around Brazil
Navigating Brazil is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.
Inter-City Travel
For long-distance travel across Brazil, buses are generally the most common and economical option. Bus rates are typically around $5 (R$30) per hour for long journeys. A bus trip from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo costs approximately $40 (R$240). Buses offer various comfort levels, including 'convencional' (standard with fair recline), 'executivo' (more comfort), 'semi-leito' (wider seats with more recline), and 'leito' (luxury sleeper seats ideal for overnight travel). Booking in advance, especially for 'leito' options, is recommended.
Flying is a faster, though often more expensive, option for covering vast distances. Domestic flights between major cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Salvador generally range from $50 to $150 (€50-€150), but can be significantly cheaper if booked one to two months in advance. Last-minute flights become very expensive. For example, a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus costs around $150 (R$900).
Car rental provides flexibility but can be expensive and challenging due to Brazilian road conditions and drivers. Daily rental costs vary by city, for example, around $45 in São Paulo and $82 in Rio de Janeiro, with additional costs for insurance.
Train travel is very limited in Brazil, mostly reserved for specific scenic routes rather than widespread intercity transport. Riverboats and ferries are viable and often the only options for travel within the Amazon region and along coastal areas, with fares typically comparable to bus prices. Carpooling through apps like BlaBlaCar offers a cheaper alternative to buses, with prices around $20 (R$80) for a one-hour journey, though trip changes or cancellations can occur.
Travel Within Cities
Within Brazilian cities, public transport is generally affordable and efficient. Major cities feature metro/subway systems and extensive bus networks. A single bus fare costs between $0.80 and $2.00 (€0.80-€2.00). Subway trips average around $1 (€1).
Taxis are widely available and can be relatively cheap, especially for multiple passengers. They operate on meters, with journeys starting at around $2 (R$6) and adding approximately $0.80 (R$4.80) per kilometer. Taxis have different rates for day, night, and holidays.
Ride-sharing applications like Uber and 99Pop are widely used in most cities, including smaller ones. These apps are often a cheaper alternative to traditional taxis and provide a safe way to travel, particularly at night. 99Pop is a popular local service that can sometimes be cheaper than Uber.
