{"id":34022,"date":"2016-08-23T23:21:47","date_gmt":"2016-08-24T06:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soulofamerica.com\/?page_id=34022"},"modified":"2023-09-08T14:05:02","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T21:05:02","slug":"rio-de-janeiro-transportation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.soulofamerica.com\/international\/rio-de-janeiro\/rio-de-janeiro-transportation\/","title":{"rendered":"Rio de Janeiro Transportation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Rio

Rio de Janeiro Aeroporto do Galeao Igreja da Penha; credit Halley Pacheco de Oliveira\/Wiki Commons<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\ufeff<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rio de Janeiro Transportation<\/h2>\n
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Airport<\/strong><\/div>\n

Riogale\u00e3o \u2013 Aeroporto Internacional Tom Jobim<\/strong><\/a> (GIG) is one of the busiest airports in South America. Every terminal was upgraded for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Major airlines serving the airport include GOL Airlines, Aerol\u00edneas Argentinas, KLM, American, United, Delta, and Air Canada airlines. You can book direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, NYC, Houston, and Toronto.<\/p>\n

The airport features WiFi, shopping, dining, lounge, passenger amenities and artwork sprinkled around each terminal. Don’t be surprised if you see a military jet take off. For historical reasons, some of GIG’s airport facilities are shared with the Brazilian Air Force. GIG Terminal Map<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Though you can rent a car from GIG Airport, it’s best to reach your hotel by shuttle, taxi, or Uber and deposit your luggage first. If you want to drive later, get comfortable with highways and driving styles in Rio, then rent a car. People drive on the same side as the USA, but speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour (kph) like in Canada and Mexico. For example, 50 kph = 31 mph, 80 kph = 50 mph, and 110 kph = 68 mph. Brasil has speed cameras posted in some places.<\/p>\n

AdventurodoBrasil<\/strong><\/a> has detailed info about driving in Rio and other parts Brasil.<\/p>\n

Premium Auto \u00d4nibus, Uber, and Taxis are better choices upon arrival at GIG Airport. Premium Auto \u00d4nibus operates executive bus 2018 from GIG every 30 minutes between 05:30 and 23:30 hours. Brasil uses 24-hour Marine Time. The route goes from GIG to the Central Station in central Rio de Janeiro, Santos Dumont Airport, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Alvorada Bus Terminal in Barra da Tijuca.<\/p>\n

Ticket counters for bus services are located at the terminal arrival areas. Taxis at the ground transportation level are plentiful. MetroRio does not go to GIG Airport.<\/p>\n

Train Station<\/strong><\/div>\n

Central do Brasil is Rio’s intermodal transportation center as the terminal of its SuperVia commuter rail network, a MetroRio station, VLT light rail station, and the central bus station. Since intercity train service was canceled decades ago, SuperVia commuter rail lines anchor MetroRio anchor Central Station.<\/p>\n

Note: The word CENTRAL refers to Central do Brazil, the mass transit hub where commuter trains, metro rail, buses, and VLT light rail converge. The word CENTRO refers to downtown Rio de Janeiro.<\/p>\n

SuperVia<\/strong><\/a> runs on 8 lines to 104 stations. Pre-pandemic ridership was as high as NYC commuter rail lines. SuperVia commuter rail travels from Rio de Janeiro to 11 nearby cities: Duque de Caxias, Guapimirim, Nova Igua\u00e7u, Nil\u00f3polis, Mesquita, Queimados, S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Meriti, Belford Roxo, Japeri, Paracambi and Mag\u00e9. One SuperVia line goes to Olympic Stadium and another commuter line goes to Maracana Stadium, which is popular with locals for football (soccer) games.<\/p>\n

\"MetroRio

Rio Metro trains at Cantagalo Station welcomed Braizil President Lula<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Rapid Transit<\/strong><\/div>\n

MetroRio<\/strong><\/a> the rail-based rapid transit system was inaugurated in 1979 and continues expansion construction. Pre-pandemic MetroRio attracted nearly 700,000-weekday riders to its 41 stations and 36 miles of track. A number of its stations were as busy as those on Washington Metro System.<\/p>\n

There are MetroRio maps in the stations to help you navigate the system. All signs include English and Portuguese. With your ticket in hand, just go to one of the turnstiles to board. Getting to the platform, read the signs that indicate the direction of the trains and check which side you should be, on the right or left. Do not rely on the PA system to let you know your train has arrived as it is difficult to hear in some stations.<\/p>\n

MetroRio connects to Metronibus local buses, Metro na Superficie BRT lines, and VLT light rail trains. You must buy special MetroRio tickets to transfer to buses and VLT light rail. MetroRio is open Monday-Saturday 5:00-24:00 (5 am-Midnight) plus Sundays and holidays 7:00-23:00. One-way rare is R$3.50 (equals about US $1).<\/p>\n

Metro Line 1 serves downtown Rio, South Zone tourist areas (Copacabana, Ipanema, LeBlon), and several neighborhoods in the North Zone. It is fully underground while running from Uruguai Station to Ipanema\/General Os\u00f3rio Station. Metro Line 2 serves residential neighborhoods extending toward the north. It is a northwest-to-southeast line, and mostly at grade, but partly elevated.<\/p>\n

Metro Line 4, connects Barra da Tijuca\/Jardim Oce\u00e2nico Station in the West Zone to Ipanema\/General Os\u00f3rio Station on Metro Line 1. Passenger trains vary between four and six cabins, depending on commute hours and major events. To the delight of patrons, many new train cabins have been added.<\/p>\n

Purchase your first MetroRio Prepaid Card at any MetroRio subway or Metro BRT station using VISA or MasterCard. The Prepaid Card is valid on MetroRio, and Metro na Superf\u00edcie BRT, but is NOT valid on local buses. The card is free of charge, but a minimum prepayment of R$10 is required.<\/p>\n

Transfers (locally called “Integrations”) are needed to reach a number of attractions between Maracana Stadium, Central Rio, and the South Tourist Zone, so we recommend putting R$50 (US$10) on your Prepaid Card to travel multiple times. See metro rail routes on MetroRio System Map<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Metr\u00f4 na Superf\u00edcie<\/strong><\/a> BRT service extends from two MetroRio stations. BRT buses depart from Metro Botafogo Station to Marqu\u00eas de o
\nG\u00e1vea Station in G\u00e1vea and from Metro Antero de Quental station in Leblon to G\u00e1vea as well.<\/p>\n

\"VLT

VLT Light rail train passing the Municipal Theatre, Rio de Janeiro<\/strong>; (c) Fernando Frazao<\/p><\/div>\n

VLT Carioca<\/strong><\/a> is a modern light rail system with 3 lines that stop at many attractions in Central Rio. Remarkably, they draw 80% of their electricity from underground but it’s safe for pedestrians to walk over the rails. The remaining 20% of VLT electricity usage is from batteries. VLT has eliminated 60% of buses and 15% of automobile traffic from Central Rio.<\/p>\n

The city also has vintage streetcars that run from central Rio through Lapa across the great white arch to Santa Teresa. They are not air-conditioned. Corcovado Tram goes up the mountain to Christ The Redeemer Statue. The tram is reached from Central Rio by vintage streetcar, taxi, or Uber ride.<\/p>\n

Afrocentric Tour<\/strong><\/div>\n

We recommend contacting Afro Walking Tour<\/strong><\/a> for a guided visit to Afrocentric sites in Rio. They include a glossary to decode the confusing Race, Ethnicity, and Color definitions<\/strong><\/a> in Brasil. For example, Pele<\/strong><\/a>, the old dark-skinned football star has a complicated history when described as Black in Brasil.<\/p>\n

The tour uses the pink-colored RioCard+Mais Prepaid Card accepted on all public transit systems. Available at MetroRio stations and VLT stations, a RioCard+Mais Prepaid Card initially costs R$4. Pay with Real cash or your debit\/credit card. Use these same fare machines to add more money to your card account as needed. To take the Afro Rio Walking Tour, you\u2019ll need R$20 to buy the card for 2 MetroRio fares and 1 VLT fare.<\/p>\n

Cruiseport<\/strong><\/div>\n

Rio de Janeiro Cruise Port is located in Avenida Rodrigues Alves, 10 Pra\u00e7a Mau\u00e1<\/strong><\/a> and easily accessible by VLT light rail from Centro do Brasil.<\/p>\n

Oceania Cruises<\/strong><\/a>, Holland America<\/strong><\/a>, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises<\/strong><\/a> have 18 to 21-day routes from Miami to Rio de Janeiro. Costa Serene Cruise ship serves the port from Italy.<\/p>\n

The Cruiseport is close to the Museum of the Future, Museum of Art of Rio, AquaRio aquarium, Sao Bento Monastery, Cine Botequim, nightclubs, and coffeehouses.<\/p>\n

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