Getting there

Planes

The international hub is Antonio Carlos Jobim airport | aka Galeão | 20km north of the city centre. The 40-minute taxi ride to the Zona Sul area should cost R$80.

Boats

Ferries from Rio to Niterói leave from the quays near Praca XV; the hydrofoil is a bit faster.

Trains

The metro system serves a limited area, north through the centre from Copacabana.The metro system serves a limited area: Linha 1 runs through the centre down to Copacabana; Linha 2 goes to Zona Norte. Santa Teresa has trams (bondinhos) to hop on.

Automobiles

Driving can be slow and/or scary: have a go if you think you’re tough enough (the main thoroughfare isn’t called Avenida Ayrton Senna for nothing). Traffic lights are often ignored. Buses are cheap | and fine for daytime trips.