Written by Alexander Kopp, Maria Gaulto, Maria Vajello
06/08/2025
Vitor Diniz, Pexels
Olinda, Brazil, does not have its own airport or major bus stations; visitors typically travel via Recife, its neighboring city. The primary transport hubs for reaching Olinda are Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) and the Terminal Integrado de Passageiros (TIP) for intercity buses.
From Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC):
Taxi:: A taxi ride takes approximately 19 minutes and costs between R$95 and R$120.
Ride-sharing (Uber/99 Taxi):: An Uber ride averages around 45 minutes and costs approximately R$46.
Car Rental:: Renting a car from the airport is an option, with daily rates in Recife starting from US$14–US$19. The drive to Olinda takes about 19 minutes and costs R$10–R$15 for fuel.
Bus:: A bus journey from the airport to Olinda can be lengthy, taking approximately 8 hours and 48 minutes with transfers, costing R$58–R$60.
From Recife City (Downtown or Boa Viagem):
Bus:: Direct bus services connect Recife to Olinda. From downtown Recife, the 'Princesa Isabel - Rio Doce' bus can be taken from across the City Hall. From Boa Viagem, the 'Piedade - Rio Doce' bus is available along Avenida Conselheiro Aguiar. These direct routes can take around 30 minutes. The cost for a bus ticket is typically R$2–R$4. Note that some bus routes involving transfers might take up to 3 hours and 42 minutes.
Taxi:: A taxi ride from Recife to Olinda generally costs R$35–R$45, with a travel time of around 6 minutes from central Recife.
Ride-sharing (Uber/99 Taxi):: Uber is a popular and often more affordable alternative to traditional taxis, with rides from Recife to Olinda costing approximately US$4.
Car:: Olinda is connected to Recife by expressways, making driving a convenient option.
Travel within Olinda:
While public transportation is available, some sources suggest using ride-sharing services like Uber or 99 Taxi for convenience due to potential language barriers and navigation challenges on buses. During Carnival, special buses operate from Shopping Tacaruna to Olinda.
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