Getting Around

Getting Around by Water

Ferries serve most coastal ports. One company, Barcas S/A (tel: (21) 4004 3113; www.barcas-sa.com.br), operates ferries between Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, and between Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande. River transport is the most efficient method of travel in the Amazon Delta. The ferry between Belém and Manaus is a popular route, served by a number of different companies.

Getting Around by Rail

Passenger rail connections in Brazil are few and far between and should not be relied on for getting around. There are plans to build a high-speed link between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A few scenic tourist lines still run, notably scenic Serra Verde Express (www.serraverdeexpress.com.br) operating from Curitiba to Morretes in Paraná.

Getting Around by Road

Road conditions vary. Brazil has roads ranging from very good paved highways to pot-holed, dusty tracks. Federal highways crisscross the country between major cities and are denoted by the letters BR plus a number. Smaller roads take the initials of the state (eg RJ for Rio de Janeiro) plus a number. Traffic drives on the right.

Coach: Coaches are by far the easiest and most popular way of getting around Brazil. Services between major cities and tourist destinations are generally comfortable and efficient but distances are long. Main routes include São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, Recife to Salvador and Florianopolis to São Paulo. There are many operators including Expresso Brasileiro (tel: (11) 5061 7566; www.expressobrasileiro.com) and Auto Viação 1001 (tel: (11) 4004 5001; www.autoviacao1001.com.br).

Car hire: International companies operate from major airports and main city centres. Drivers are generally required to be at least 21 years old.

Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18. The speed limit is 110kph (70mph) on most national highways and 80kph (50mph) in cities. Passing on the right is forbidden. Seat belts must be worn by drivers and passengers.

Documentation: International Driving Permit required.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

There are extensive bus services in all the main centres, often with air-conditioned express executive coaches running at premium fares. Rio and São Paulo both have two-line metros and local rail lines, and there are trolleybuses in São Paulo and a number of other cities. Trolleybuses are increasingly being introduced as an energy-saving measure. Fares are generally regulated with interchange possible between some bus and metro/rail lines, for instance, on the feeder bus linking the Rio metro with Copacabana.

Taxi: In most cities these are identified by red number plates. Fares are inexpensive, costing a little more for the ‘special' taxis with air conditioning and better comfort. Willingness to accept a taxi driver's advice on where to go or where to stay should be tempered by the knowledge that places to which he takes a visitor are more than likely to give him a commission - and the highest commissions will usually come from the most expensive places. Taxis are metered and passengers should insist that the meter is turned on. Fares are slightly higher at night and on Sundays. Tipping taxi drivers is not normal practice.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Rio de Janeiro to other major cities/towns in Brazil.