A practical guide to Rio transportation: subway (R$7.90), buses, BRT and light rail (R$5), Uber and 99, Itaú bike share and walking, with a station map and night safety tips.
R$7.90
Subway per ride
R$5
Bus, BRT and light rail
Uber / 99
Best option at night
Bike Itaú
App-based bike share
Good news: most of what you'll visit sits in a strip between downtown and Leblon, well served by the subway. Along the beachfront, walking or biking is a joy. At night, Uber and 99 are cheap by US standards. And our tours include hotel pickup, so you don't have to think about it.
Subway: fast, clean and air-conditioned
- Line 1 (orange): Tijuca – downtown – Botafogo – Copacabana – Ipanema (General Osório).
- Line 2 (green): North Zone – downtown, sharing track with Line 1 to Botafogo.
- Line 4 (yellow): Ipanema – Leblon – São Conrado – Barra (Jardim Oceânico).
- Fare: R$7.90 per ride (official fare since April 12, 2026). Tap in with a contactless card or phone, or buy a prepaid card.
- Approximate hours: 5 a.m. to midnight Monday–Saturday; shorter hours on Sundays and holidays.
Key stations for visitors
Every option compared
| Price | Best for | Watch out for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | R$7.90 | South Zone ↔ downtown, Maracanã | Packed at rush hour (7–9 a.m., 5–7 p.m.) |
| City bus | R$5 | Routes the subway skips (Urca, Botanical Garden) | Confusing routes; use Moovit. Avoid at night |
| BRT | R$5 | Barra, Recreio and the airport | Often crowded; watch your belongings |
| Light rail (VLT) | R$5 | Downtown, Praça Mauá, Museum of Tomorrow, SDU | Downtown only |
| Uber / 99 | About R$15–35 within the South Zone | Nights, groups, Christ, Santa Teresa | Surge pricing; check the plate |
| Bike Itaú | Cheap app-based passes | Beachfront and the Lagoon | Stick to bike lanes; don't mount your phone on the handlebars |
| Walking | Free | Copacabana–Ipanema along the beach, by day | Midday heat; empty streets at night |
Approximate prices, Sept. 2026.
What getting around costs
As of Sept. 2026. Uber and 99 vary by time and demand.
Rideshares, bikes and walking
Uber and 99
The easiest way to reach Christ the Redeemer, Santa Teresa or get back from Lapa. Request from inside the bar or restaurant, match the plate and name, and sit in the back.
Bikes
Orange Bike Itaú bikes unlock via the app. There's a bike path along the entire beachfront from Leme to Leblon, and around the Lagoon (about 4.7 miles): a perfect sunset ride.
Walking
Walking the beachfront from Copacabana to Ipanema and Leblon is one of Rio's best free activities. At night, stick to the lit, busy promenade.
Questions fréquentes
R$7.90 per ride (official fare, Sept. 2026). Contactless payment is accepted.
Skip the logistics
City tours with hotel pickup, English-speaking guides and a fixed price. Pay by card or Pix.
Rio in a day, no transit planning
Christ, Sugarloaf, the Selarón Steps and more, with pickup included.
À partir de 350 R$
Excursions recommandées
Réservez en ligne avec un guide local, prix fixe et paiement par carte internationale ou Pix.
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