How Does Public Transport Work in Brazil?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Uber and local app 99 are the safest and most practical options for tourists; São Paulo and Rio have metro systems, while city buses are cheap but difficult to navigate.
2What You Need to Know
São Paulo has an extensive and relatively safe metro network, and Rio de Janeiro has a metro covering key tourist areas including Ipanema and Copacabana. City buses are very cheap but routes are confusing and pickpocketing is a concern, especially in crowded vehicles. Salvador and Manaus offer ferry services that are essential for reaching surrounding areas. For intercity travel, long-distance buses (ônibus) are comfortable and affordable.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Download the 99 app alongside Uber — 99 is a local Brazilian rideshare app that often has better availability and pricing in smaller cities.
- 2São Paulo's metro is clean, air-conditioned, and covers most tourist and business districts — use it to avoid traffic.
- 3In Salvador, the Barca ferry system connects the peninsula to Ilha de Itaparica and is a scenic, affordable ride.
Important Warning
Avoid city buses in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo if you are carrying valuables — pickpocketing and robbery on buses are common, particularly at night.
How does this compare?
Public Transport rules in nearby and similar countries:
Mexico City Metro costs around 5 pesos; use Uber instead of street taxis for safety, and colectivos for inter-town travel.
Each major city has its own transit system and card — Toronto uses PRESTO, Vancouver uses Compass, and Montreal uses STM cards.
Buenos Aires has an extensive Subte subway and Metrobus BRT network, both accessed with the rechargeable SUBE card.
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More About Brazil
A 10% service charge (gorjeta) is usually already included on restaurant bills and is optional to pay, but small extras are appreciated.
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Carry comprehensive travel insurance — private hospitals in major cities are excellent but extremely expensive, and the free public system (SUS) involves long waits.
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Cannabis is illegal, littering carries fines, LGBTQ+ rights are legally protected nationwide, and Carnival period carries specific public behavior tolerances that do not apply year-round.
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Police (Polícia Militar): 190; ambulance (SAMU): 192; fire brigade (Bombeiros): 193; Federal Police: 197.
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Brazil is extremely casual in daily life, but beachwear must stay at the beach and religious sites require modest, covered clothing.
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The legal drinking age is 18, alcohol is inexpensive and widely available, but drink-driving is strictly enforced with a near-zero tolerance BAC limit.
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