Rio de Janeiro
Getting There & Away
Flights go from Rio to all of Brazil and Latin America. The international departure tax from Brazil is about
From Rio there are buses to just about everywhere. They all leave from the loud Novo Rio Rodoviária. Excellent buses leave every 15 minutes or so for Sáo Paulo. Most major destinations have very comfortable leito (executive) buses, which leave late at night.
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Getting Around
Rio's buses are a real mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. It's easy to track down the right bus, but they're often crowded, slowed by traffic and driven by maniacs; they are also the scene of many of the city's robberies. Don't carry any valuables, and be cautious. In addition to their number, buses have their destinations, including the areas they go through, written on the side. Nine out of 10 buses going south from the centre will go to Copacabana and vice versa.
Rio's excellent subway system is limited to points north of Botafogo. The two air-conditioned lines are cleaner, faster and cheaper than buses. The main line from Botafogo to Saens Pena has 15 stops. To get to the train station Estação Dom Pedro II, take the metrô to Central station.
Taxis within the city are quite reasonably priced if you're dividing the fare with a friend or two. Taxis are particularly useful when travelling at night and carrying valuables, but keep in mind that they are not always a completely safe and hassle-free option. Make sure the meter works, avoid the taxi-driving sharks that hang out near the hotels and exercise caution. Radio taxis are 30% more expensive than ordinary ones, but they are safer and will come to you. Car-rental agencies are at the airport and clustered together on Avenida Princesa Isabel in Copacabana. Prices aren't cheap, but they do go down a little off-season.
Rio was once serviced by a multitude of trams. However, the only one still running is the Santa Teresa tram, known locally as the bondinho. It's still the best way to get to Santa Teresa from downtown.
If you prefer to rely on your own two feet, be careful! Drivers run red lights, run up on the sidewalks and stop for nothing and no one.
Source: www.lonelyplanet.com
