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Brazil transportation: A practical guide to getting around
From buses and the metro for moving around cities and flights for long-distance trips, learn how to use Brazilian transportation to move like a local.
Transportation in Brazil means mixing domestic flights for long-distance trips with the metro, buses, and ride-hailing apps for urban travel, plus ferries and riverboats depending on where you go.
Brazil is the world’s fifth-largest country, so how people get around varies dramatically by region anddistance. To make sense of it, we spoke to Pedro Correia Guedes, our colleague based in Rio de Janeiro, who shares practical guidance throughout this guide.
Here is everything you need to know about the types of transportation in Brazil, and how an eSIM for Brazil keeps you connected while you move.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Getting around Brazil by plane
For long distances, domestic flights are the most practical option. As Pedro puts it: “For long distances, flying is the most practical option.”
Airlines such as GOL, Azul Linhas Aéreas, and LATAM Airlines connect major cities and states, making it easier to visit Brazil than relying on buses, which can double travel time.
Pedro’s booking tip: “Avoid peak travel periods, such as Carnival, New Year, and June holidays, if you didn’t book flights well ahead.” Fares are competitive domestically, particularly on Azul for secondary cities, but they climb fast around Carnival in Brazil and the New Year period.
Getting around Brazil by bus
Long-distance coaches are reliable, affordable, and reach almost every corner of the country. Pedro tells us, “Intercity buses are very comfortable and affordable.”
Major operators include Viação Cometa, Águia Branca, and Buser. Leito is not an operator but a class of sleeper coach, and it is the most comfortable option on overnight routes, with reclining seats, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi on many services.
To get the best deals, Pedro recommends booking ahead of popular routes and using apps such as ClickBus or going directly to the terminal.
Plus, a safety tip from Pedro is, “Always use official bus terminals and avoid unlicensed operators.”
Getting around Brazil by metro and urban transit
Brazil public transportation is at its strongest in São Paulo, Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro, where the metro is the fastest and safest urban option.
Pedro, who’s a local in Rio, tells us, “Metro in Rio is reliable but has limited coverage, but buses fill the gaps.”
Bus and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) networks operate across all major cities, with the Bilhete Único in São Paulo and the RioCard as the contactless payment options for these systems.
The Riocard Mais app lets you top up, check routes and schedules, and see real-time service information, which is the single most useful thing to install before you arrive in Rio.
A tip from Pedro for riding public transport is: “Avoid rush hour when possible, as 7 to 9 AM and 5 to 7 PM are heavily crowded.”
Getting around Brazil by taxi and ride-hailing app
Ride-hailing apps are popular in most Brazilian cities, with Pedro mentioning that “Uber is the safest and most convenient option for tourists in Rio.”
The local app 99 is also widely used and sometimes cheaper than Uber, and Pedro both. For journeys between Rio de Janeiro and nearby cities, apps like InDrive and BlaBlaCar are more common than Uber or 99.
A taxi in Brazil is easy to find, but Pedro recommends taking only licensed taxis with meters running rather than unofficial ones.
A safety tip from Pedro: “Avoid hailing taxis off the street at night; always use an app instead.”
Getting around Brazil by car
Outside major cities, car rental gives flexibility to explore and plan your travel itinerary at your own pace, with rentals available at all major airports and city centers.
You will need an International Driving Permit alongside your national driving license, and the Brazil travel guide sets out the full document checklist worth preparing before you fly.
However, there’s one thing to consider that Pedro points out: “Driving in Brazilian cities can be chaotic. Traffic in São Paulo and Rio is heavy. For first-time visitors, ride-hailing is easier.”
Plus, keep in mind that rural roads can be rough, while roads between cities are usually well-maintained on main highways and routes.
Getting around Brazil by ferry and boat
In coastal cities and on islands, ferry networks are your go-to mode of transportation.
In the Amazon region, riverboats are the primary mode of transportation, with passenger ferries connecting riverside communities.
Pedro tells us the ferry between Niterói and Rio is both a scenic and practical option, and it’s very cheap compared to driving over the bridge.
Coastal cities and islands use ferry networks. Rio’s cable cars (bondê) in Santa Teresa and funiculars are used for both tourists and commuters.
Which transportation in Brazil should you use?
The right option depends on the distance and the region. Here is a quick guide to how people get around in Brazil.
| Journey | Best option | Backup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Between regions | Domestic flight | Intercity coach | Book well ahead around Carnival dates |
| Between nearby cities | Intercity coach | InDrive, BlaBlaCar | Leito class for overnight routes |
| Across a city | Metro | Bus or BRT | Best in São Paulo, Rio, Brasília |
| Short urban trips | Uber or 99 | Licensed taxi | 99 is often cheaper |
| Coastal and islands | Ferry | — | Niterói to Rio is scenic and cheap |
| Amazon region | Riverboat | — | Primary local transport |
| Rural and remote | Rental car | — | IDP required |
Brazil transportation tips for tourists
So how do people travel in Brazil day-to-day? Beyond the main modes, a few local habits are worth knowing before you arrive.
- Rio’s historic tram in Santa Teresa, known as the bonde, is used by locals and tourists alike and is one of the more characterful ways to reach the neighborhood.
- Cycling is common in Rio, with bike lanes throughout the South Zone and bike-sharing systems such as Bike Rio used by locals and visitors alike.
- On safety, Pedro recommends, “Be aware of your surroundings on public transport, especially in crowded buses and metro stations. Keep phones and valuables out of sight.”
- There are a few unwritten rules on board. Give up your seat for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Avoid handing money to people inside vehicles who ask for it, and avoid prolonged eye contact with strangers.
- Most short rides are paid by credit card, PIX instant payment, the Riocard, or through a ride-hailing app. Cash is becoming less common.
- Before arrival, make sure you have either 99 or Uber installed, and having both is good for comparing prices before asking for a ride. It is also worth checking what to pack for a trip to Brazil before you fly.
- Mobile internet in Brazil is essential for all travelers, whether for navigating, hailing an Uber, or even translating bus routes, and an eSIM is your best option.
- Another tip from Pedro is “Learn a few words of Portuguese, outside of major tourist areas, English is not widely spoken.”
Stay connected while traveling in Brazil with Holafly
When traveling to Brazil, there’s one thing you’ll need the most: mobile internet. Whether it is to book a leito bus to Rio, ask for an Uber in a new city, or find out which metro line you’re on, all without running out of data.
That’s where using the Holafly eSIM for Brazil turns into a great solution for your trip. With the unlimited, high-speed data plans, you don’t need to worry about using Google Maps or finding your next metro line.
You simply stay connected at all times, and you can start moving around like a local. Plus, you get to translate everything you don’t understand; it’s a win-win situation.
You also get access to the Always On perk, which gives you 1 GB of backup mobile data to use at no extra cost. Simply keep your eSIM installed and stay connected with Holafly when you need it most.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
FAQs
Metro, buses, and ride-hailing services are the main modes of transportation within cities, with flights being the best for long-distance travel across a country the size of Brazil.
For travelers, the metro and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and 99 are the best options to move around, especially in big cities like RIO de Janeiro and São Paulo
Yes, especially the metro, which is the safest option in Rio, including at night. However, buses might require more caution, depending on the area, and it is worth keeping phones and valuables out of sight in crowded vehicles
Flights and buses are the most reliable ways to travel between cities, with flights being the best for long-distance travel and intercity coaches offering better value on shorter routes.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
