ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Domestic flights are offered by the airlines TAM Airlines (JJ) (Internet: www.tam.com.br) and Gol Transportes Aéros (G3). According to youremailverifier, Brazil has one of the largest internal flight networks in the world. There is a shuttle service between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, a regular flight service from São Paulo to Brasília and another shuttle service between Brasília and Belo Horizonte. Air taxis are also available. Advance booking is recommended on weekends.
Flight times
from Brasília to the following major cities (approximate hours and minutes):
| Belo Horizonte | 1.00 |
| São Paulo | 1.30 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 1.30 |
| Porto Alegre | 2.20 |
| Manaus | 1.50 |
| Foz do Iguaçu | 2.30 |
Air passes
With the Brasil Airpass you can fly up to nine routes in Economy Class. It applies to the entire route network of TAM and regional airlines that have an agreement with TAM, throughout Brazil, with the exception of the airlift between Santos Dumont airports in Rio de Janeiro (SDU) and Congonhas in Sao Paulo (CGH). The entire trip should be planned and booked prior to departure. The Airpass is valid for up to 30 days from the start of the journey.
On the way by car / bus
The road network covers approximately 2,000,000 km. The country’s bus connections are excellent. However, some roads are in poor condition, making long distance journeys uncomfortable. 97% of all travelers take the bus, 2.2% use the plane and less than 1% take the train.
Long-distance bus: Most modern intercity buses are quick and convenient. There are connections to all inhabited areas of Brazil. The comfort and timetables of the buses are different; Passengers should expect longer waiting times (including overnight stays) between connections.
Rental car:Available in all major cities. Prices are usually high and formalities can take a long time to complete. Parking spaces are difficult to find and major roads should be avoided if possible.
Documents: In addition to the required national driving license, it is strongly recommended that you also bring an international driving license with you.
Regulations
Blood alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰.
Traveling in the city
The bus network in the major cities is excellent. Executive express buses with air conditioning are a little more expensive. In São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro you can also use the subway or suburban trains. Trolleybuses operate in São Paulo and various cities. Fares are fixed, on some lines you can change from the underground to the bus or train.
In most cities, taxis have red license plates and taximeters. Passengers should make sure that the taximeter is switched on. Prices are generally low, and air-conditioned taxis can be a bit more expensive. Brazilian fast-paced taxi drivers are happy to recommend certain shops or attractions and earn a hefty commission for their efforts.
With the Trem de Corcovado (Internet: www.corcovado.com.br) you go to the famous Cristo Redentor statue (Christ the Redeemer) on the mountain of the same name in Rio de Janeiro. The train runs every 30 minutes between 8.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. (journey time: 20 minutes).
On the go by train
There are only three regular public rail connections in addition to S-Bahn lines:
Belo Horizonte – Vitória daily, with 1st, 2nd and Pullman class;
São Luis – Parauapebas 3 times a week, 3 car classes;
Porto Santana near Macapá – Serra do Navio.
Suburban railways in the following cities (from S-bahn similar operation up to only 2-3 trips a day) (see also www.metrobh.gov.br/principal.asp):
Porto Alegre (1 line);
São Paulo (tram and metro network (Internet: www.metro.sp.gov.br));
Rio de Janeiro (tram and metro network (Internet: www.metrorio.com.br));
Brasília (2 lines (Internet: www.metro.df.gov.br));
Belo Horizonte (1 line);
Salvador (1 line);
Maceió (1 line);
Recife (2 lines);
João Pessoa (2 lines);
Natal (2 lines);
Fortaleza (2 lines);
Teresina (1 line).
Tourist train connections:
Great Brazil Express: Curitiba to the Iguacu Falls, 7-, 8- and 10-day trips (Internet: http://www.greatbrazilexpress.com/)
Serra Verde Express: Curitiba – Morretes, the onward journey up Paranaguá is only offered on Sundays (Internet: www.serraverdeexpress.com.br);
Trem do Vinho Carlos: Barbosa – Bento Gonçalvez (Internet: www.mfumaca.com.br);
Trem das Termas: Marcelino Ramos – Uruguaí;
Marcelino Ramos – Piratuba et al.
Some connections are to be reactivated: Corumbá – Campo Grande Trem do Pantanal; Ouro Prêto – Mariana; Belo Horizonte – Rio Acima
On the way by ship
A ferry service connects all sea ports. River boats are the best mode of transportation in the Amazon. After the government-owned Empresa de Navegação de Amazônia (ENASA) ceased its passenger shipping, private companies took over shipping and are increasingly offering better shipping connections on rivers across the country.
With Barcos S / A (Internet: www.barcos-sa.com.br) there are ferry connections between Rio de janeiro and Niterói as well as between Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande. Various ferries serve the Blemém and Manaus routes. Boat trips from the mainland to the popular and pretty islands of Ilha Grande, Ilhabela and Ilha de Santa Catarina are also possible.