Getting around in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is expansive and intricate, with its main thoroughfares often presenting an intimidating mix of roaring engines and honking horns.

Fortunately, a clean and efficient metro system, along with affordable Ubers and yellow taxis, makes navigating Rio quite manageable.

Walking the main streets of Rio during the day is generally safe, but it’s advisable to avoid doing so at night when possible. If you must walk at night, stick to the more populated streets. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling around Rio de Janeiro.

Travel through the city using the metro system

The metro in Rio is a fantastic option for getting around, with its three air-conditioned, clean, and efficient lines. Line 1 stretches from Ipanema-General Osório to Uruguai in the north zone. Line 2 overlaps with Line 1 and runs from Botafogo to Pavuna, passing by the Maracanã football stadium. Line 3 connects Ipanema-General Osório to the eastern end of Barra da Tijuca at Jardim Oceânico.

You can buy a cartão pré-pago (prepaid card) at any metro station kiosk with cash (no change is provided) for a minimum of R$5. The card can be recharged at any kiosk. Free subway maps are available at most ticket counters.

During Carnaval, the metro runs continuously from 5am on Saturday until at least 11pm on Tuesday.

Make your budget go further by using the bus system

Rio's BRS (Bus Rapid System) includes dedicated transport lanes in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Barra, with most bus fares around R$3.80.

Each bus displays its main destination on the illuminated signboard at the front. To catch your bus, extend your arm straight out, as drivers will not stop unless signaled.

Explore the beaches on a bright orange bicycle

Rio features extensive bike paths that stretch along the beach, around Lagoa, and through Parque do Flamengo. The city's public bike-sharing program, Bike Rio, offers vivid orange bikes available at over 250 locations.

You can sign up on the website or through the app (Bike Itaú) to purchase a monthly pass for R$36.90 or a two-day pass for R$25.90. Bikes can be unlocked using your mobile phone or the app, with instructions provided in English at the stations.

Many stations offer a convenient pay-as-you-go option for a day pass. After swiping your credit card, you'll receive a code to unlock any bike. The first 30 minutes are free; thereafter, it's R$5.90 per hour, though you can check out bikes an unlimited number of times with a 24-hour day pass (this also applies to the two-day and monthly passes).

Travel smoothly above ground on the light rail

Rio's new light rail system, the VLT, is a key part of a large urban renewal initiative aimed at revitalizing Centro. Since its launch in 2016, the VLT has 26 stations and operates on two routes through the downtown area. For tourists, convenient access is available at Cinelândia (near the metro) to Praça Mauá (at the stop marked Parada dos Museus).

To get to Praça XV (Quinze) de Novembro or Praça Tiradentes, take the Praia Formosa line accessible on Rua Sete de Setembro, just west of Rio Branco. The VLT also connects to Aeroporto Santos Dumont and Rodoviária Novo Rio bus station. For maps, schedules, and other information, download the free VLT Carioca app.

Go online to find a taxi

Rio's yellow taxis are abundant and easy to catch, especially through free apps like 99Taxis or Easy Taxi. They offer a fast way to navigate the city and are generally safe. The base fare is about R$5.50, plus around R$2.50 per kilometer (R$3 per kilometer during night hours and on Sundays).

Radio taxis, which can be booked in advance, cost approximately 30% more than regular taxis. While tipping taxi drivers is not customary, rounding up the fare is common.

Ubers are widely used and simple to book—travelers from Europe will notice significantly lower fares compared to what they're accustomed to. For groups traveling any distance across the city, splitting an Uber fare is often cheaper than purchasing individual metro tickets.

Avoid the moto-taxis

In Rocinha and several other favelas (informal communities), you can find moto-taxis (essentially rides on the back of motorcycles) offering short trips (typically from the base of the favela to the summit or vice versa) for R$3.

However, unless you're embarking on a foolish pursuit for drugs (which may lead you to a table full of options guarded by intimidating individuals with firearms), there’s little reason or wisdom in randomly exploring a favela just to look around. It’s not a tourist attraction.

Consider renting a car as a last option

Navigating Rio can be quite frustrating, even for those familiar with the area—traffic jams and parking difficulties can detract from a holiday. Nonetheless, you can find car rental agencies at both airports and along Av Princesa Isabel in Copacabana. At the international airport, Hertz, Budget, and Unidas offer rentals.

Transportation options available in Rio de Janeiro

Rio's irregular paving and the noticeable absence of lifts at many metro stations make it a bit challenging for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility to get around the city.

Especial Coop Taxi offers vehicles equipped with lifts for wheelchair users. They also have their own app, Especial Coop. If you prefer to book a car in advance, some dependable radio-taxi services include Transcoopass, Coopertramo, and Transcootour. For additional details on accessible travel in Rio de Janeiro, check out Dinogo Planet's accessible travel resource page.