Transportation

São Paulo's main airport is Guarulhos (GRU) and Rio's is Galeão (GIG); both have official taxis, ride-hailing pickup points and airport bus services into the city. Use licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app rather than unofficial offers, agree on the method before you get in, and allow extra time for traffic in both cities.

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have metro systems plus extensive bus networks; the metro is usually the fastest and most convenient way around central areas. Trains get very crowded at peak times. Keep belongings secure, be extra alert late at night, and consider ride-hailing after dark or for areas not well served by the metro.

São Paulo uses the Bilhete Único card for metro, trains and buses; Rio has its own rechargeable cards for public transport. Buy and top up at stations, and many systems increasingly accept contactless bank cards or phone payments at the gate. A rechargeable card saves time versus buying single tickets each trip.

Ride-hailing is very popular and convenient in Brazilian cities, with Uber and the local 99 app widely used; fares are shown upfront and payment can go through the app. Regular taxis use meters. Ride-hailing is often preferred at night for safety and price clarity. Check the plate and driver before getting in.

Long-distance buses are the backbone of intercity travel in Brazil, departing from bus stations (rodoviária) and ranging from standard to comfortable overnight coaches (leito). Book ahead in busy seasons. Given the country's size, buses suit shorter regional hops while flights make sense for long distances between regions.

Because Brazil is so large, domestic flights are important for covering long distances between regions, such as Rio or São Paulo to the Amazon or the Northeast. Main carriers include LATAM, GOL and Azul, with a wide network of airports. Book early for better fares, and allow time for security and possible connections at big hubs.