Would you please provide some hints on the public transport in Rio de janeiro?

Question

I am going to stay in Rio for 2 weeks. Due to my tight budget, I need to rely mainly on public transport to move around. So can you give me some hints on the public transport in Rio? For example, is there a kind of ticket that if I buy one, I can use it in any public transport such as bus and metro for the whole day? If available, please tell me how much it is and where I can buy it? Thanks.

Answer 1

Transportation in Brazil is expensive and the metropolitan buses are fast with mad drivers.Good luck.

Answer 2

Smile.

I should to take:

Special Bus called "Real" in Airport,about US$6.

Shuttle Rio: http://shuttlerio.com.br/ about US$10 to South Zone

Subway about US$5,00 round trip (No have station in Airport).

Answer 3

Call Jose Paulo (taxi driver) [e-mail]

cell phone [phone]

Answer 4

Getting Around Rio de Janeiro is Easy and efficient!

Public Transport

There is no unified public transport system in Rio, although SECTRAN (tel: [phone]; website: www.sectran.rj.gov.br) oversees all forms of organised public transport.

The underground service provided by Metrô Rio (tel: [phone]; website: www.metrorio.com.br) is safe, clean, air-conditioned, fast and efficient, although limited in the area it covers. There are two lines in operation from Monday to Saturday 0600–2300. Line 1 runs from Siqueira Campos (Copacabana) to Sãens Pena (Tijuca), while Line 2 runs from Estácio (Centro) to Pavuna, in the north of the city. Metrô tickets are only available for purchase at the stations – R$1.47 for a single journey or R$14.70 for a carnet of ten tickets. Visitors are advised to keep their wits about them when emerging from stations into unfamiliar surroundings, as pickpockets are common.

Buses are cheap, regular and run to all parts of the city. There is no integrated service – the main providers include Transbrasiliana (tel: [phone] or 9104), Real (tel: [phone]) and Novo Horizonte (tel: [phone]). Services operate 24 hours and are relatively safe – incidences of crime are rare, although travellers must exercise caution during rush hour and at night, when pickpockets prey. Tickets are available for purchase from the conductor, who sits next to the turnstile at the back of the bus. These cost R$1.30 per journey or R$1.50 on the air-conditioned frescão buses.

An integrated Metrô and bus pass, called Metrô/Ônibus, is available for R$2.60 at Metrô stations.

Taxis

Yellow taxis operate with a meter and can be hailed on the street. The flag, bandeira, indicates the tariff and usually reads ‘1’. However, after 2300, on Sunday and on holidays the tariff will be ‘2’, which indicates a price hike of about 20%. Taxis are fairly priced, although some late-night drivers might quote excessive fixed prices. Travellers should check that the meter is reset and indicates the correct tariff. The minimum fare is currently R$2.50. Tourists are strongly advised to only use taxis that have an official identification sticker in the window.

Special taxis – either blue or red – operate from the airports. Payment is by pre-paid vouchers, which are available for purchase at airport kiosks.

Radio taxis are safe and reliable but 30% more expensive than yellow taxis. Providers include Central de Táxi (tel: [phone]), Coopertramo (tel: (21) 9944; website: www.radio-taxi.com.br) and Transcopass (tel: [phone]). The minimum fare for radio taxis is currently R$2.50. Brazilians generally do not tip taxi drivers, although rounding the total fare up to the nearest Real is appreciated.

Driving in the City

With such a good public transport system, there is little need for tourists to drive in Rio de Janeiro. Those who attempt it need nerves of steel and a solid sense of direction to cope with the hectic traffic and confusing one-way streets. However, driving is a good option for local excursions and visiting some of the further beaches. When driving, seatbelts should be worn and extreme caution employed. Doors should be kept locked. Rio’s traffic is a law unto itself and parking is difficult everywhere, although practically impossible in the Centro. Rush hour is Monday to Friday 0800–0900 and again at 1700–1900, although some areas are bumper to bumpers at many hours of the day. For visitors making a day trip to Rio by car, the best option is to park in a secure car park, leaving the car with an attendant. Parking in Rio is very cheap and costs from R$2 per day.

Car Hire

There are many car hire companies in Rio, including international providers. The minimum age to hire a car is 21 years, although this is sometimes even higher, depending on company policy. Insurance is essential. A credit card is usually required as security but also for payment, seeing as many companies are reluctant to accept traveller’s cheques or US Dollars. Drivers must be in possession of an International Driving Permit along with a driving licence from their country of origin. Rates include the basic third-party cover, although collision waiver and personal accident insurance are extra.

Energetic visitors can hire bicycles from Special Bike, Rua Visconde de Pirajá 135B, Ipanema (tel: [phone]; [e-mail]; website: www.specialbike.com.br), for R$60 a day. There are other outlets on Rua Figueiredo Magalhães, Copacabana (tel: [phone]), and Avenida Borges de Medeiros, in front of Tom Jobin Park, Lagoa.