Last checked: November 2026
Most visitors cover long distances in Brazil by domestic flight, use ride-hailing apps or booked taxis in cities, and treat buses and driving as options for shorter or flexible trips. Passenger trains between cities are limited. This guide explains each way to travel inside the country, with realistic journey times and the safety points that official advisories raise.
Quick answer: Fly between distant regions, because road journeys of a full day or more are common. Use the metro in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia where it reaches your area, and book rides through an official app instead of hailing cars on the street. Buses suit shorter intercity trips, and hire cars suit travellers who are comfortable with local driving conditions.
Travel Times Between Main Cities
The flight times below come from scheduled airline timetables and are approximate. Check the airline for your date, because routes, airports and times change by season.
| Route | Scheduled flight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro | About 1 hour | One of the busiest air routes in the country. By road it takes roughly 5 to 7 hours over about 430 km. |
| Sao Paulo to Belo Horizonte | About 1 hour 20 minutes | Gateway to the historic towns of Minas Gerais. |
| Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia | About 1 hour 50 minutes | Direct flights run from Rio de Janeiro-Galeao. |
| Sao Paulo to Foz do Iguacu | About 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes | The usual way to reach Iguacu Falls from the south-east. |
| Brasilia to Manaus | About 3 hours | Manaus is the main base for the Amazon. |
| Rio de Janeiro to Manaus | About 4 hours | Few direct services, so check connections. |
Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro each have more than one airport, so confirm which one your ticket uses before you plan the ground transfer. For a full list of arrival airports, read our guide to flights to Brazil.
Domestic Flights
LATAM, GOL and Azul are the main airlines on domestic routes. Brazil’s civil aviation regulator, ANAC, publishes passenger rights and airline information. Book early for school holidays, Carnival and the New Year period, and keep generous gaps between connections. Check baggage allowances for each leg, because rules can differ between fare types.
Intercity Buses
Long-distance buses connect almost every city, and they leave from bus stations called rodoviarias. Companies usually sell several seat classes, from standard to semi-sleeper and sleeper. Journeys between distant regions can take a day or longer, so buses make most sense for routes of a few hours. The national regulator, ANTT, oversees interstate bus services.
The UK Foreign Office says robberies are common in many cities, particularly on buses, and that bus and coach crashes are frequent. Travel in daylight where you can, and keep phones and valuables out of sight.
Trains
Brazil has very little passenger rail between cities, because the network was built mainly for freight. A few regional and tourist services run on specific routes, so check the operator’s own website before you plan around one. Urban rail is a different matter: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia all run metro systems, and Sao Paulo and Rio also have commuter trains. The UK reports theft and robbery on rail networks, including urban metros, so avoid wearing expensive jewellery or using a phone on trains.
Ferries and Boats
- Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi: Ferries cross Guanabara Bay and give a view of the city from the water.
- Salvador and Itaparica: Ferries link Salvador with the island of Itaparica across the Bay of All Saints.
- Amazon river boats: Passenger and tour boats serve Manaus and other river towns. The UK advises against all but essential travel on several river routes in western Amazonas State, so confirm your route with the operator before you pay.
Car Rental and Driving
Brazil drives on the right. The UK government says you can use a UK photocard licence in Brazil for up to 180 days, and a paper licence may need an update or a 1968 international driving permit. Rules differ by nationality, so check your own government’s driving-abroad page and the rental company’s terms. See the UK’s driving abroad guidance for an example of what to confirm.
The UK describes a high road accident rate, poor driving standards and poor road conditions in many rural areas. Carjacking can happen on major roads and in tunnels, so keep doors locked and windows closed, take care at traffic lights and avoid stopping at the roadside at night outside cities. Drink-driving is a serious offence, and checkpoints are common.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Ride-hailing apps such as Uber are widely available in Brazil. The UK reports express kidnappings, assaults and robberies from unlicensed taxis, including cars using fraudulent ride-hailing accounts. Do not hail taxis on the street.
- Book through the official app and wait in a safe place until the car arrives.
- Check that the plate and driver details match the app.
- Watch for diversions or a change of destination on the app.
- Keep your phone and valuables out of sight, and use trip tracking if the app offers it.
City Public Transport
Sao Paulo has the largest metro network in the country, run by Metro Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro has MetroRio and a light-rail tram called the VLT. Brasilia has its own metro. Local cities often use rechargeable travel cards, such as the Bilhete Unico in Sao Paulo and the RioCard in Rio de Janeiro, but fares and card rules change, so check the operator’s site. City buses cover the rest of each network, and the UK says thieves target mobile phones, especially between 4pm and 9pm.
Choose the Right Option
- Choose a flight if you want the fastest way between regions, such as Rio de Janeiro to Iguacu Falls or Brasilia to Manaus.
- Choose a bus if the journey is a few hours and you want the lowest-cost option, and you are comfortable with a slower trip.
- Choose a car if you want a flexible route in a single region and have experience of busy roads. A daytime drive on the coast between Rio de Janeiro and Paraty is a popular scenic choice.
- Choose the metro if your hotel and sights sit near a station, since it avoids road traffic.
- Choose a booked ride if you travel after dark or carry luggage.
Common Mistakes
- Taking unofficial taxis or cars that wait outside venues.
- Assuming timetables stay fixed, when airlines and bus companies change them by season.
- Booking tight connections between different airports in the same city.
- Underestimating distances and planning too many regions in a short trip.
- Using a phone openly on buses, trains and busy streets.
Short Checklist
- Check the airline timetable and the airport name for each flight.
- Install a ride-hailing app and check that it works with your payment card before you land.
- Carry a copy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
- Allow extra time for traffic in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
- Plan routes with the Brazil itineraries and the best places to visit in Brazil.
Official Safety Advice
The US State Department rates Brazil at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued 31 August 2026), and tells travellers not to enter informal housing developments, even on guided tours. The UK Foreign Office (page updated 28 October 2026) advises against all but essential travel on river routes in the west of Amazonas State. Check the UK advice and your own government’s page before you travel. The Brazil travel guide has the full notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to travel between cities in Brazil?
For long distances, flying is usually the most practical option, since road trips between distant regions can take a day or more. For routes of a few hours, buses and hire cars are realistic alternatives.
Can I use Uber in Brazil?
Yes. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber are widely available, according to the UK government. Book through the official app, check that the plate and driver match, and avoid street-hailed taxis.
Are there trains between Brazilian cities?
Very few. Intercity passenger rail is limited, and most travellers use flights or buses. Cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have metro and commuter rail for local travel.
Which side of the road do they drive on?
Brazil drives on the right. Check licence rules for your nationality and the rental terms, and remember that road conditions vary a lot outside major highways.
Is public transport safe for tourists?
Most trips pass without trouble, but the UK reports frequent robberies on buses and theft on rail networks. Keep valuables out of sight, avoid peak phone-theft hours where you can, and use booked rides after dark.