Move around Rio de Janeiro is relatively straighforward and the city got an improvement in your public transport infrastructure because of the Olympics.
The city is good to walk and the easiest way to move is by metro (Metrô Rio). Its connects you with all others transport systems and cover the most important touristc regions. Recently the city won a expand in your metro system and others important Transport Systems like VLT System, BRT System, Bike Rio, BRS and a renewed suburban train lines.
Planning your trip:
Rio Card
The Rio Card transport card is a pre-paid card that you can buy at airports, subways, VLT, BRT and Bus Stations, It costs R$3,00, and you can refund it (just the card not the load) when you leave the city. You can load with money or debit cards, and it Works at Metro Rio, VLT, BRT, BRS, Executive Buses, Mini Van Service, Super Via (Suburban Trains) and Barcas (Ferry boat).
You can load by the internet either. However you’ll need to have a national bank account.
Taxi
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The Taxi in Rio is relatively cheap, and it can be taken in the streets, taxi stations or via apps.
Taxi Prices:
Regular Taxi: starts in R$5,60+ R$2,40km(Flag 1) + R$2,70(Flag 2)
Special Taxi: R$6,90 + R$4,00 (Special Taxis)
Can be charged R$2,30 per volume.
Site: http://bit.ly/taxifarerj
BRS & Serviço Executivo/Bus Rapid System & Executive Service.
There are exclusive bus corridors around the city, and it is called BRS System, at stations, there are maps and stops. You can pay with cash inside the bus or using a Rio Card. Price: R$3,80.
Executive Service: This service is an optional service that connects neighbours around Rio. The tourism buses are blue and you can pay with cash or Rio Card. Prices: R$11,00 to R$16,00
Site: http://bit.ly/rioonibus
Metrô Rio/Rio’s Metro System
The easiest way to getting around Rio, the metro has 3 lines(1,2 and 4) 41 stations and connects North Zone, South Zone, Barra da Tijuca and Downtown Rio. Metro Rio is clean and fast. There are systems extensions and connections:
Metrô na Superfície (Silver Bus line): to Gávea from Botafogo Stand General Osório Station.
Integration (Regular Bus Line):
Del Castilho Station: Jacarepaguá/Barra and Fundão
Saens Penã Station: Usina/ Muda/Andaraí/Grajaú
São Francisco Xavier Station: Méier/Vila Isabel
Estácio Station: Rodoviária/São Cristovão
Largo do Machado: Cosme Velho (Corcovado)
Botafogo Station: Urca
General Osório Station: Barra
BRT System: BRT Transoeste (Jardim Oceânico Station) and BRT Transcarioca/Rio Galeão ( Vicente de Carvalho Station)
Supervia Trains System: Central do Brasil, São Cristovão, Maracanã and Pavuna stations.
VLT: Central do Brasil and Cinelândia Station.
Hours: Mon/Sat: 05:00 to 00:00 Sun/Holidays: 07:00 to 23:00
Transshipment:
From Central station to Botafogo Station, lines 1 and 2 overlap, and the trains alternately reach the platforms. To make the transshipment between the lines, just down on any of these stations between Central and Botafogo, and wait for the next train along its route.
From Line 1 To Line 4 the transshiment is at General Osório Station. Attention! On weekends, the line 2 runs from Pavuna only to the Estacio station where you should do transshipment to proceed in line 1 to Ipanema.
Site: http://bit.ly/metroriorj
Supervia/ Train System
The Supervia is the Suburban Rio Train System. It has 8 lines, 135 stations and connect the Rio’s North Zone and cities around Rio to Central do Brasil Train Station in Downtown Rio at Presidente Vargas Av. The System is connected BRT, Metro, VLT, funicular, BRS and Bike Rio. Stations and Train fleet were renewed ad got air-conditioning and escalators. The System connects Maracanã and Engenhão Stadiums. Price: R$3,70
Site: http://bit.ly/superviarj
10.6 BRT/ Bus Rapid Transport
The BRT is an express bus line that Works like a metro system. There are 3 lines: Transcarioca, Transoeste, and Transolímpica. It connects the International Airport, Metro Lines 2 and 4 and Suburban trains. The Service Works mainly in North Zone and West Zone Rio. There are feeder bus lines along over 150km BRT System.
The feeder lines are a supplement to the main route of the BRT, running between distant neighborhoods and the BRT stations. They are regular buses, equipped with air-conditioning and with the same color pattern of BRT. Price: R$3,80.
Site: http://bit.ly/brtriorj
10.7 VLT Veículo Leve Sobre Trilhos/ Tramrail
The VLT is the best option for getting around Downtown Rio. It has been connecting the renewed Interstate Bus Terminal, the Seaport tourist terminal, Providência Hill Funicular, Metrô Rio (Metro System), Bike Rio (Bike Rentals system), Barcas (Ferryboat System). The BRS (Bus Rapid System), BRTs (Bus Rapid Transport), Supervia (Suburban Train System) and Santos Dumont Nacional Airport in Downtown Rio are connected either. The System has 28kms, 2 lines, and 32 stations between Downtown Rio and Seaport District. Price: R$3,80
Site: http://bit.ly/vltrio
10.8 Bonde de Santa Teresa/ Santa Teresa Trolley Car
The historical and charming “Bondinho de Santa Teresa” is one of most interesting tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro. It connects Lago da Carioca in Downtown Rio to Santa Teresa, passing above de Lapa’s aqueduct. There are stops at Largo do Curvelo, Guimarães and Largo das Neves in Santa Teresa.
Carioca Station - Lélio Gama St
Largo do Curvelo Station - Joaquim Murtinho St
Largo dos Guimarães Station- Almirante Alexandrino St
Open hours: 8am/4pm Mon-Sat
Price: free
Barcas/Ferry Boat
CCR Barcas daily carries about 110 thousand people who use the boats and catamarans in the six lines offered by the concessionaire. In total, five stations and three berthing places in different parts of the state. The mainly terminal is located at Praça XV in Downtown Rio, there are lines to Niterói Paquetá at this station. Price: R$5,60.There are a connection to VLT and Metro.
Site: http://bit.ly/Barcasrj
Aluguel de Bicicleta Bike Rio/ Bike Rio Rental Bike
The Bike Rio has since its launch in 2011, taking account of the Rio streets and is now established as one of the principal means of transport and leisure for locals and tourists visiting the city. Today the system is expanded to several Brazilian cities. But I'll confess that I am not very user No, I prefer my long board to stroll! Inspired by his Parisian brother, Vélib, the Bike Rio is a cheap option, healthy and very, very nice to know the Marvelous City, which every day receives more investment in cycle paths. See my post about the new bike lanes and how Rio is Bike friendly: http://bit.ly/postbikerio The system is widespread in Rio and has numerous stations in neighbohoords like Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Barra da Tijuca, the entire South Zone, Downtown, Seaport region, Tijuca Area (Maracanã, Tijuca, Vila Isabel, Andaraí) and Madureira park area. They are scattered along the malls, bus stations, beaches, parks, BRT stations, subway, ferry, train, tourist attractions and high-traffic corners. You can check here the map of all Locations. The system works on the rental model with daily passes (R$ 5.00) or monthly (R $ 10.00) for unlimited trips lasting up to 60 minutes if you do not return will be charged at $ 5.00 per additional hour. You will need a credit card to reserve the bike, and reservations can be made through the app on your phone, or by telephone at 4003 6054.
Site: http://bit.ly/bikeriorj
10.11 Teleféricos/Cable Car
There are three cable cars services in Rio, The most famous, the Sugar loaf cable car, Providence Cable Car and Alemão Cable car.
The Providence Cable Car, opened on July 2, 2014, connects Plaza Américo Brum, on the hill, the Brazil Central, and Gamboa. The free trip runs the 721 meters. There is a connection with VLT.
The Alemão Cable Car has 6 stations is operated by Supervia and connects Inhauma community to Bom Sucesso. There is connection with Bom Sucesso Supervia train station. Prices: Using Rio Card: R$1,00 paying cash at the station: R$5,00.
The famous “bondinho do pão de Açucar”( Litlle Sugar Loaf cable car), is one of most interesting touristic attractions in Rio, located at Pasteur Av,520 Urca. Hours: 08:00 to 07:30h Price 0-6 yrs: Free / 6-12 yrs: R$38,00 /12-28 R$38,00 / Adults: R$76,00.
Carro/Car
If you are planning the get out the touristic attractions in South Zone and Downtown Rio and explore the modern Barra da Tijuca and their beachs, Niterói, Petrópolis, Teresópolis, Búzios, Paraty or Angra, rent a car can be a good idea.
Parking a car in Downtown Rio or South Zone can be very expensive and get stuck at traffic jam can not be a good way to discover the marvelous city.
Some expressways inside Rio have tolls ( Linha Amarela/ Transolimpica/ Ponte Rio de Niterói) and get a traffic fine is very easy inside the city roads.
To avoid hassles rent a car when you planning go around Rio.
Site: www.rentalcars.com
UBER
Following others cities in the world, Uber became very popular in Rio, and there is service available for shared trips and English drivers with an additional fare.
