City, Brazil
Getting around Rio de Janeiro
How to get around Rio de Janeiro
Metro covers Centro, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and Barra for under 10 BRL. Uber and 99 fill gaps and cover nights; buses are cheap but confusing and crowded.
Ways to get around Rio de Janeiro
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Metrô Rio | About 7–9 BRL | Lines 1, 2, 4; reaches Ipanema and Barra; closes around midnight |
| Uber / 99 | About 18–35 BRL for 5 km | Best for night trips; wait at the pickup point |
| VLT light rail | About 4–5 BRL | Centro, port area and Santos Dumont airport |
| City buses | About 4–5 BRL | Cover everything; use Google Maps or Moovit for routes |
Ride-hailing apps in Rio de Janeiro
A 5 km ride costs about R$18–35 ($3.4–6.7).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Most reliable; use pickup points, not the favela edge |
| 99 | Often cheaper; taxis can also be booked in-app |
| inDrive | Haggle your fare; fewer drivers |
- Prefer Uber or 99 over street taxis. Check the plate and driver in the app; sit in the back and keep your phone off the window.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
Galeão (Rio de Janeiro International) (GIG)
Uber or 99 about 70–130 BRL to Zona Sul, 45–90 min; official airport taxi about 120–180 BRL; Metro Line 2 is a long transfer.
Santos Dumont (SDU)
In the center for domestic flights; VLT to Centro, 10–25 min by Uber to Botafogo or Copacabana.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the right. A valid home licence plus an IDP is accepted for up to 180 days; carry both when driving.
- Onward travel in Brazil: Distances are huge: fly between regions with LATAM, GOL or Azul. Comfortable overnight buses link nearby states; there are almost no long-distance passenger trains.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Rio de Janeiro?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, 99, inDrive.
What's the best way to get around Rio de Janeiro?
Metro covers Centro, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and Barra for under 10 BRL. Uber and 99 fill gaps and cover nights; buses are cheap but confusing and crowded.
How do I get from the airport to Rio de Janeiro?
Uber or 99 about 70–130 BRL to Zona Sul, 45–90 min; official airport taxi about 120–180 BRL; Metro Line 2 is a long transfer.
Is Rio de Janeiro walkable?
Walkable center.
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Sources
- LATAM Airlines
- GOL
- Azul
- ClickBus (intercity buses)
- MetrôRio
- Riogaleão Airport
- Santos Dumont Airport (Infraero)
- Visit.Rio
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.