Trains and metro
Brazil has no real long-distance passenger rail, but several cities run excellent metro systems. São Paulo's Metrô and the integrated CPTM trains move millions daily; a single fare is around R$5. Rio de Janeiro's MetrôRio links Ipanema, Copacabana and the centre, and is the safest, fastest way across the city. Recife, Brasília and Belo Horizonte also have metro lines. Buy a rechargeable card (Bilhete Único in São Paulo, Giro/RioCard in Rio) to skip queues.
City buses
Buses cover everywhere the metro doesn't, but routes can be confusing for newcomers. In São Paulo and Rio, tap the same transit card used on the metro. Apps like Moovit and Google Maps give live routes. BRT corridors (dedicated bus lanes) in Rio and Curitiba are fast and cheap. Keep your phone discreet and watch belongings during rush hour.
Ride apps and taxis
Uber works in virtually every Brazilian city and is the go-to for visitors. 99 (a local app) is often cheaper and just as widespread. Both let you pay by card in-app, avoiding cash and language barriers. Street taxis are metered but pricier; agree nothing without the meter running.
Car rental
Renting suits coastal road trips and remote regions. Major firms (Localiza, Movida, Unidas) operate at every airport. You'll need an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence. Tolls are common on highways like the Rio–São Paulo route; an automatic toll tag helps. Avoid driving in big-city centres, where traffic and parking are brutal.
Intercity travel
Brazil is huge, so flying between regions (GOL, LATAM, Azul) often beats 24-hour bus rides. For shorter hops, intercity buses are comfortable and reliable: book on Buser or ClickBus, and choose leito or semi-leito seats for overnight comfort. Major terminals include São Paulo's Tietê and Rio's Novo Rio. Ferries serve the Amazon and Bahia's islands like Morro de São Paulo.
Practical tips
- Carry small cash for informal vans (vans/lotações) in smaller towns.
- Rush hour runs roughly 7–9am and 5–8pm; plan around it.
- Save offline maps in case of patchy signal.
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