From the airport to the city centre Rio De Janeiro
One usually arrives in Brazil via the international airport of Rio de Janeiro, or at Santos-Dumont airport with some domestic flights. Domestic flights serve all Brazilian states and many of the country's cities. It is not advisable to change money at the airport exchange counters when arriving in Rio because the rates are very unfavorable. You can get to the city center from the airports by shuttle or cab, or even by Uber. You can use the website https://tarifadetaxi.com/ to calculate the price of a trip. Count between 100 and 120 R$ for the south zone (it is less for the return).
Public transport Rio De Janeiro
Public transportation, both intra-urban and inter-urban, is very developed and quite cheap
Intercity buses are available at therodoviárias (bus stations). Tickets can be booked online at various websites (www.clickbus.com.br). It is recommended to book your ticket on the Internet for the busiest routes or on weekends. The big companies are serious and the buses are clean. You have to show an ID and luggage is only given in exchange of the coupon given at the boarding. The air conditioning is pushed to the limit, plan a sweater to cover yourself. There are many bus companies throughout Brazil.
The city buses are often more complicated to use but if you get help from the pousada or from locals, it is an interesting and quite cheap experience. It is important to know the routes and to use them only in busy and safe areas and only during the day. The small frescao buses are taken on the fly, the destinations are marked on the windshield. You pay directly at the bus stop.
The underground sub way is an interesting option in Rio. It is very safe but has a limited extension. Subway tickets can be bought in the stations and reloaded. You can easily find your way around thanks to the metro maps. Streetcars and overhead trains (BRT) complete the transportation offer. A bus ticket costs R$4.5 in Rio de Janeiro.
Ferries(lanchas) exist in Rio. They cost R$6.10 between Rio de Janeiro and Niterói (modern art museum designed by Niemeyer).
Bike, scooters & co Rio De Janeiro
Bicycles are on the rise in Brazilian cities, as in all the world's metropolises. In Rio, part of the city is left to cyclists, scooters and rollerblades on Sundays. The rest of the week, more and more spaces are dedicated to "soft" transportation. In general, bicycle paths are mostly found in the safe areas of the cities (zona Sul de Rio). It is important to follow general safety guidelines and to remember that driving in large Brazilian cities is uncertain. Group outings are organized regularly. A self-service bicycle system similar to Vélib' is now being developed in many cities, in the same way as in France (https:// bikeitau.com.br). You can rent a bike in Rio in the same way as in France. If you respect the safety instructions, discovering Brazilian cities by bike is a real pleasure, you feel the soul of the cities and the nature better.
With a driver Rio De Janeiro
Cabs and VTC are also very developed in Brazil. Cabs can be prepaid when you pick them up at the airport, otherwise, the cost of the trip is calculated thanks to the meter that the driver has to turn on, unless you negotiate the price in advance. There are two rates for cabs (day and night, the night rate usually starts at 6pm). A basic safety precaution is not to take a "pirate" cab. You can have your cab called from the hotel or restaurant, otherwise take it at the head of the station. Avoid hailing them in the street, especially at night. Uber-style VTCs are very present and offer an alternative to traditional cabs. Cabs do not appreciate this competition, which they consider unfair. One can book a VTC vehicle with driver on the Uber website for short or long distances.
By car Rio De Janeiro
All major international car rental companies are present in Brazil and there are many rental points. Renting a car can make sense if you want to travel to many places (not too far away) and be free with your itinerary (coffee valley, colonial cities in Minas Gerais or for example). The person renting a vehicle must have a driver's license for more than 2 years (or an international driver's license) and an international credit card with sufficient credit to cash the deposit. The average daily rental fee is 35 euros, but prices vary widely. If you book from France, you can get better rates. It is necessary to make sure that the roads are passable (they are impassable in rainy weather in some places). Many radars control the speed of vehicles: 40 km/h in built-up areas, 70 km/h outside built-up areas and 110 km/h on freeways. At the risk of repetition, you should avoid driving at night and make sure that the area you are visiting is safe (the outskirts of large cities should be avoided). It is not necessarily necessary to rent a vehicle in Brazil to have a successful trip.
Accessibility Rio De Janeiro
Brazil is not a good student in terms of accessibility of public transport and public transportation for strollers and people with reduced mobility. Some residential and/or tourist areas (south zone of Rio) have made efforts but the sidewalks, especially when they are so beautifully paved, are uneven, with many holes and obstacles that are difficult to cross.
Tourist traps Rio De Janeiro
Avoid at all costs pirate cabs, which are mainly found at the exit of airports and major tourist sites. Only take cabs at the station heads or those that you have called.
