From the airport to the city centre Rio De Janeiro
You usually arrive in Brazil via Rio de Janeiro international airport, or Santos-Dumont airport with certain domestic flights. Domestic flights serve all Brazilian states and many of the country's cities. It is not advisable to change money at airport exchange counters when arriving in Rio, as the rates are very unfavourable. You can get to the city center from the airport by shuttle or cab, or even by Uber. You can use the website https://tarifadetaxi.com/ to calculate the cost of your trip. Expect to pay between R$100 and R$120 for the southern zone (less for the return journey). You can download the Uber and riotaxi applications. They work well in Rio.
Arrival by train Rio De Janeiro
Trains exist in Rio, but only serve the working-class suburbs from the famous Central do Brasil station. Minas Gerais, on the other hand, still has a few tourist trains. Unfortunately, the Ouro Preto-Mariana line is out of service until further notice, but the other tourist line São João del Rei-Tiradentes (Trem Maria Fumaça) is still in operation and offers an interesting route between the two colonial cities.
Arrival by boat Rio De Janeiro
Of course, you can't get to Rio by boat like you used to, unless you're on a cruise liner. However, ferry services run between Rio (Praça XV) and Niteroi (https://barcas.grupoccr.com.br/estacoes/) or Paquetà Island. Those heading for Ilha Grande can take a ferry from Conceição do Jacareí, the fastest, to Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba.
Public transport Rio De Janeiro
Public transport, both intra-urban and inter-urban, is highly developed and fairly inexpensive.
Intercity buses can be booked atrodoviárias (bus stations). Tickets can be booked online at www.clickbus.com.br. It is advisable to book online for the busiest routes or at weekends. The major companies are reliable and the buses clean. Luggage is only handed over in exchange for the coupon issued on boarding. The air-conditioning is cranked up to the max, so bring a sweater to cover up. There are numerous bus companies throughout Brazil.
City buses are often more complicated to use, but if you get help at the pousada or from locals, it's an interesting and fairly inexpensive experience. You need to know the routes and use them only in busy, safe areas, and only during the day. The small frescao buses are taken on the fly, with destinations marked on the windshield. You pay directly at the cobrador.
The underground metro is an interesting option in Rio. It's very safe, but limited in extension. Metro tickets can be bought at the stations and recharged. The metro maps make it easy to find your way around. Streetcars and BRTs complete the transport offer. A bus ticket costs R$4.5 in Rio de Janeiro.
Ferries(lanchas) are available 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 metropolises the world over. In Rio, part of the city is reserved for cyclists, scooters and rollerbladers on Sundays. The rest of the week, more and more spaces are dedicated to "soft mobility". In general, cycle paths are found mainly in safe areas of the city (Rio's Zona Sul). It's important to follow general safety instructions and remember that driving in Brazil's big cities is unpredictable. Group outings are organized on a regular basis. A self-service bicycle system similar to Vélib' is now being developed in many cities, along the same lines as in France (https://bikeitau.com.br). You can rent a bike in Rio under the same conditions as in France. If you follow the safety instructions, discovering Brazilian cities by bike is a real pleasure, as you get a better feel for the soul of the city and its natural surroundings.
With a driver Rio De Janeiro
Cabs and VTCs are also highly developed in Brazil. Cabs can be prepaid when you pick them up at the airport, otherwise the fare is calculated by the meter, which the driver has to turn on, unless you negotiate the price in advance. Cabs are available at two rates (day and night, with the night rate generally starting at 6pm). A basic safety precaution is not to take a "pirate" cab. You can have your cab hailed from the hotel or restaurant, or take it from the head of the station. Avoid hailing them in the middle of the street, especially at night.
Uber-style VTCs are very much in evidence, offering an alternative to traditional cabs. Cabs do not appreciate this competition, which they consider unfair. You can book a chauffeured VTC vehicle on the Uber website for short or long distances.
By car Rio De Janeiro
All the major international car rental companies are present in Brazil, and rental outlets are plentiful. Renting a car can make sense if you want to travel to many places (not too far apart) and be free to choose your itinerary (coffee valley, colonial towns in Minas Gerais, for example). The person renting a vehicle must have held a driver's license for more than 2 years (or an international driver's license) and an international credit card with sufficient credit to cover the deposit. The average daily rental charge is 35 euros, but prices vary widely. If you book from France, you may be able to get better rates. Make sure that the roads are passable (in some places, they are impassable in wet weather). Numerous speed cameras monitor vehicle speeds: 40 km/h in built-up areas, 70 km/h outside built-up areas and 110 km/h on freeways. At the risk of repeating ourselves, avoid driving at night, and make sure that the area you are visiting is safe (avoid the outskirts of large cities). You don't necessarily need to rent a car in Brazil to enjoy your stay.
Accessibility Rio De Janeiro
Brazil is not a good performer when it comes to the accessibility of public transport and public transport for baby carriages and people with reduced mobility. Some residential and/or tourist areas (Rio's southern zone) have made efforts, but sidewalks - especially when they are so beautifully paved - are irregular, with numerous holes and obstacles that are difficult to negotiate.
Tourist traps Rio De Janeiro
At all costs, avoid pirate cabs, which are mainly found outside airports and major tourist attractions. Only take cabs at station heads or those you have arranged to be called.
