Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's most iconic state, home to the legendary city of Rio with its stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, and vibrant culture. The state blends natural wonders like Tijuca National Forest and Guanabara Bay with UNESCO-recognized landscapes and world-famous landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.
- Public
- Metro is excellent for tourist zones; buses complex but cheap; BRT connects Barra to city
- Taxi
- Street taxis work but use meter; Uber/99 strongly preferred for safety and convenience
- Rental
- Not recommended for the city; useful only for exploring the state beyond city limits
- Walking
- Zona Sul (Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana) very walkable; Centro manageable by day
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $35-45, 45-75 minutes to Zona Sul
- Taxi Info
- Official orange taxis from Galeão have fixed-rate meters — agree on destination first. Avoid unofficial drivers.
- Shuttle
- $15-20, shared van to hotel
- Shuttle Info
- Pre-book shuttle services online — ask your hotel to arrange airport pickup
- Bus
- $4, Real Bus 2018 to BRT Alvorada Terminal
- Bus Info
- Real Bus departs from Terminal 1 and 2 every 30-60 minutes. Connect to BRT then metro or Uber from Alvorada.
- Private
- $30-50, pre-booked Uber/private car
- Private Info
- Book Uber before landing using airport WiFi, or use pre-booked private transfer service via hotel
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
City buses (ônibus) serve all neighborhoods, R$4.30 per ride, exact change or RioCard
Alternatives
Metro (Lines 1 and 2), BRT corridors, Bike Itaú sharing, ferry to Niterói and Ilha Grande
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $1.20 base fare + $0.20/km daytime (Bandeira 1), 20% premium nights and weekends (Bandeira 2)
- Apps
- Uber, 99 Táxi, inDriver
- App Names
- Uber, 99 Táxi
- Typical Fare
- $5-12 for average Zona Sul trip
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Comfortable intercity buses from Rodoviária Novo Rio terminal. Petrópolis $8, Búzios $15, Paraty $20, São Paulo $25-40
Shared
Shared vans (kombis) serve some routes — cheaper but less regulated than official buses
Flights
Domestic flights from Galeão and Santos Dumont to São Paulo, Brasília, Salvador, and other cities from $30-80
Private
Private car hire from $60-80/day through reputable agencies at Galeão Airport
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Rio de Janeiro has a metro system (two lines), extensive bus network, BRT corridors, and widely available ride-hailing apps (Uber, 99). For tourists, the metro covers key Zona Sul attractions efficiently; Uber is recommended for flexibility and safety.
Airports
Galeão International Airport (Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport)
Santos Dumont Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Best for safe, reliable, GPS-tracked rides across all of Rio
99 Táxi
Brazilian alternative to Uber — competitive prices and widely available
Bike Itaú
Municipal bike sharing app — excellent for beachside cycling in Zona Sul
Moovit
Best app for bus and metro route planning with real-time updates
Gig Go
Electric scooter sharing available in Barra da Tijuca
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Uber and/or 99 app before arriving — they work seamlessly in Rio
Use the metro for Ipanema (Gal. Osório), Copacabana (Siqueira Campos/Cantagalo), Botafogo, and Centro
The beachside Ciclovia (bike path) runs from Leme to Recreio — perfect for cycling the 22km coastal route
Avoid buses at night — stick to Uber, metro, or taxis after dark
Maracanã stadium area and Zona Norte require Uber — not metro-accessible tourist zones
From Santos Dumont Airport, Uber to Zona Sul takes only 15-30 minutes