Brazil Transport

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are the two main airports in Brazil. They also service domestic flights from major South America cities. The two Brazilian national airlines – Varig and TAM – offer international flights. Varig provides international connections to North America, Europe, Asia and the rest of South America. TAM services some flights to Europe and the USA, including a non-stop flight from Miami to Manaus for Amazon rainforest visitors.

Rio de Janeiro International Airport
This airport serves both international and domestic flights and has the capacity of seeing in excess of 15 million passengers per year. The airport has excellent facilities including banks, ATM’s, bureaux de change facilities, duty-free shopping and a range of restaurants and bars.

Standard facilities for disabled passengers are available which include wheelchair access, lifts, disabled persons’ toilets and telephones. There are also specially designated parking spaces in the airport car park.

The airport offers a number of car parks serving both long and short-term parking. There is a multi-storey facility which serves both the international and domestic terminals. Smaller outdoor and undercover car parks are also available and are can be found just a short walk away from the terminal buildings.

Transport to the city includes public buses which run to downtown Rio and privately-operated shuttles that serve popular hotels and beach resorts. Taxis are also available from a rank which can be found outside the airport.

São Paulo Airport
This airport handles domestic flights only but is still a very busy facility that sees over 12.5 million passengers per year. There are banks, ATMs and a bureaux de change located around the airport as well as a good selection of shops. There is a small number of cafés and restaurants which provide food and beverages.

Basic facilities for disabled passengers are available which include wheelchair access, specially designed toilets and telephones and limited car parking spaces.

A single car park can be found near the airport offering a large number of parking spaces for both short and long-term stays. An airport shuttle connects the facility with the terminal building.

São Paulo Airport offers passengers convenient transfer options to Sao Paulo and destinations beyond. Options include: cheap public buses, free hotel shuttles, taxis and luxury limousines.

Rail
Travelling by rail to Brazil is not recommended as limited rail services link Brazil with Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. Distances are long and the trains are not particularly pleasant.

Bus
It is possible to take a bus from any of the neighbouring countries such as Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, or even all the way from the USA; however, this form of transportation should be considered last. Distances are extremely long and journeys are often uncomfortable. Additionally, you should check into the political situations and visa requirements of the countries you will be moving through before choosing to travel by bus.

Car
If you are going to be driving to Brazil, you must take into account the fact that the journey from Buenos Aires in Argentina to Rio de Janeiro takes about 45 hours. Many people do choose drive from here however, with some even choosing to drive from the USA. You should always look into the changes in the political situation and visa requirements in Central America before starting out.

Sea
Rio de Janeiro is the main port in Brazil and is utilised by many international cruise ships. The other popular ports are Manaus, Recife, Fortaleza, Salvador and Vitoria. Most major international cruise lines sail to Brazilian ports.

Air
Brazil is an enormous country and you will save yourself a lot of time and hassle by travelling between destinations via plane. Although regular domestic fares can be steep, foreigners can buy an air pass from TAM, Varig and Vasp airlines. Air passes need to be purchased and booked outside of Brazil. There are also a couple of discount airlines that might be more suitable for those travelling to few destinations within Brazil. Gol and Fly Airlines both offer reasonably priced flights.

Rail
There are very few rail connections between most major cities and towns. Most of the country’s rail lines are located along the Atlantic coastline. Distances are long, and combined with the stifling heat, can become unbearable. The only worthwhile rail trip is the one between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which offers air-conditioned sleeper and restaurant cars.

Bus
Within Brazil, domestic bus services are quite good and an economical way to travel, although you should be wary of the long distances involved. Buses are operated by hundreds of private companies; however rates are standardised and quite reasonable for someone on a budget. Long-distance buses are comfortable and feature toilets. Luxury buses run overnight between major cities and offer fully reclining seats in curtained partitions. Within cities, there are lots of city buses with low fares. Trolleybuses are increasingly being introduced as an energy-saving measure in the larger cities like Rio.

Car
It’s not advisable to travel by car unless you have a lot of time on your hands and are very certain of your skills. Brazil has one of the highest death tolls from driving-related accidents in the world. Additionally, distances between major cities and sights can by incredibly long. Some of the roads can be quite poor, especially around the Amazon. Driving within Brazilian cities is not recommended as locals are aggressive and do not follow the rules of the road. Additionally, parking is scarce and very difficult in major cities. When hiring a car, you will need an international license and you should take out comprehensive insurance.

River
For those travelling in the Amazon, transport by river is the best way to get around. All the large riverside cities of the Amazon –Belém, Manaus and Santarém – have ferry terminals for waterborne bus services. Although your journey may be slow, it’s guaranteed to be interesting. Private companies provide services on rivers throughout the country. You can even take charming boat trips to the pretty islands of Ilha Grande, Ilhabela and Ilha de Santa Catarina.

Taxi
Taxis can be hailed on the streets or booked in advance. Fares are low and you should be wary of the ‘recommendations’ of your driver as he may take you to a more expensive hotel where he receives a commission. All taxis are metered and you should check to make sure the driver switches on the meter when you get in. Tipping taxi drivers is not common in Brazil, although it is common to round off the amount and let the driver keep the change.