City guide article

Car for hire

A small four-seat car usually costs around US$40 a day with unlimited kilometres; if you take the car for five days you may get sixth or seventh day at no extra cost. Requirements include being 25 years or older (21 with some firms including Avis), have a valid credit card in your name and driver’s licence (not just your IDP one). There is not much in the way of good deals though some of the more established companies like Avis have promotional rates – they are also less likely to keep charging your account, long after you’ve returned the car! It is also advised that you take out as much insurance as you can!

City guideTransportation

Overview

On that note it is advisable not to rent a car for Rio de Janeiro. As explained in Driving Tips below, driving in Rio and Brazil in general is too dangerous and fraught with inconvenience and costly repairs should the worst happen.

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Transportation

Taxi

Transportation

Metro

Rio has a two line system which is one of the fastest ways to get around the city. The metro is open from 6am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday. The main line, with the first stop Copacabana to the last stop Saens Pena, has 17 stops in between. The first 14, from Copacabana to Estacio are shared with the second line which then deviates northward from Estacio to Sao Cristovao, Maracana and beyond. A ride costs US$0.70 and there are single, returns and 10-ride tickets available. Subway maps are available at most stations and they are for free.

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Transportation

Buses

Fast, frequent and cheap, buses in Rio are a good way to get around as long as you are vigilant (see Health and Safety). Given Rio is long and narrow, it’s easy to find the right bus and it’s not a problem if you get the wrong one as most buses going south will pass through Copacabana and vice versa. Bus conductors sit at the back requiring you to get on from the back and exit from the front. The money collectors sit at a turnstile in the back, where the fare will be displayed.

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Transportation

From the airport

Rio’s airport is the Aeroporto Galeao (GIG) and is located on Ilha do Governador, 15km north of the city centre. Real Auto Bus (0800 240 850) operates from the international airport, either outside the arrivals floor of Terminal 1 or the ground floor of Terminal 2. All buses are safe and air-conditioned and have routes to Rodoviaria Novo Rio, Av Rio Branco (Centro), Aeroporto Santos Dumont, southward of Gloria, Flamengo and Botafogo and along the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon to Barra da Tijuca (and all vice versa). Buses run every 30minutes, from 5:20am to 12:10am and will stop wherever you ask. Fares start from around US$2. If you are heading back to the airport then the Real Auto Bus service from in front of the major hotels and along the major beaches but you have to look aware and flag them down hard.

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