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Getting To Rio De Janeiro

Rio is located in southeast Brazil and is well connected to the rest of the country by its extensive road network system. Both cars and buses can take advantage of the excellent roads, which connect with many destinations throughout Brazil. Driving distances can be long and journeys arduous, as the nearest major city is a six-hour drive from Rio, so it is important to always take regular breaks while driving. Rio has busy international and domestic airports, which both have connections with other major cities in Brazil.

By Car

If you are arriving from Salvador or SAo Paulo, highway BR-116 will lead you to Rio. The coastal highway is the BR-101, which runs from Natal through Salvador and Copacabana. This is a very scenic route, but not as fast as the BR-116 inland route. To arrive in Rio from Brasilia, you need to take the BR-040. The journey from SAo Paulo takes 6 hours; from Brasilia it takes 20 hours; and from Salvador it can take up to 28 hours.

By Rail

Rail services to Rio are extremely limited and it is not recommended that you rely on trains for journeys to and from Rio. Trains that do run are often slower than buses, with most services for cargo only. There are two rail terminals in the city: Estaçao Dom Pedro II at Central do Brasil, Praça Cristiano Ottoni (tel: +55 21 2296 1244) and Estaçao Barao de Mauá at Leopoldina, Avenida Francisco Bicalho.

By Bus

Rio's main bus station is called Novo Rio Rodoviaria and this is where all buses arriving in Rio deliver their passengers. From here, public transport taxis are available to take you to your hotel. Buses run to Rio from all major cities throughout the country. It is advisable to book a ticket in advance to ensure a seat. These can be booked at any travel agent. 

By Air

There are two major airports in Rio: Santos Dumont, which caters for domestic flights, and Galeao, which services international flights. From both airports, it is possible to take a bus or a taxi to your hotel. You will find many flights from all continents arriving in Rio.