“Avoid public transport, always take an Uber, man!” That’s what I kept being told by Brazilians—even here on Hive—when asking about getting around in Brazil. Besides, my iPhone should have been enough of a bait for petty criminals if my Slavic appearance hadn’t already attracted attention. I visited only three states in the fifth-largest country, yet I experienced almost every possible means of transport firsthand, including a ferry. Here’s a complete guide based on my honest experience, plus some extra “pro tips.”

A random rest stop on a highway.

Brazil remains an affordable country. International and even transatlantic flights can be a bargain, and you can spend a few weeks there for a fraction of what a similar trip across Europe would cost. I hope @bozz (if he actually meant considering Brazil as a vacation spot and wasn’t just being polite when we discussed it) and others might find this guide helpful.

Immigration & Customs

The immigration process was smooth and fast for me. With a strong Czech passport, I needed no visa whatsoever. The officer exchanged just a few words with me before stamping my passport and letting me in. However, I was stuck in a queue at São Paulo’s international airport before I could even talk to the officer for hours. Later, I discovered this isn’t uncommon. Although immigration staff speak English—and perhaps even other languages—most airport employees don’t, much like most Brazilians. When several international flights land at once, there simply aren’t enough people capable of handling all the passengers, and seemingly never-ending queues can occur. It feels frustrating after spending hours on board; prepare yourself mentally for that, and you might even be pleasantly surprised.

Pro tip: Buy a data eSIM in advance (I use Revolut for that). The airport Wi-Fi will likely be overloaded with annoyed travelers texting their families or ordering an Uber. Besides, the plan will likely be cheaper than any you can purchase at the airport.

Uber

Uber is indeed the safest and fastest way to get around in cities; forget taking a cab. You get one anytime. It’s also very affordable, especially when you travel in a group. The drivers… well, let’s say they drive the “Brazilian way.” However, if you choose one with a good rating and double-check the license plate before entering, there’s no need to worry.

Pro tip: Consider subscribing to Uber Premium. If you plan to stay for two or more weeks, you will likely save money.

Metro

There’s no reason to avoid the metro. It is safe, clean, spacious, and well-maintained. And it is cheap—as is everything in Brazil. In São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or Brasília, you only pay around 5 BRL (about $0.90) per ride, which can take you as far as you need to. In retrospect, I can imagine taking the metro from São Paulo’s airport to my accommodation. Almost every station is guarded by security personnel or even a police patrol, ensuring that only paying passengers enter. The ticket price is sufficient to deter burglars, beggars, and other undesirables. Despite what I was told, people commonly travel with luggage and use their phones on board—even quite expensive ones. There’s no reason to worry about your belongings; I consider the Tube less safe. São Paulo has the best metro in Brazil, and I enjoyed station designs, like of Sumaré.

Sumaré metro station, São Paulo

While Brazil is a cashless country, most ticket machines in São Paulo—and all official vending stalls—only accept cash or Wix, a Brazilian payment app linked to a bank account. You can even purchase a ticket online through WhatsApp using Wix. Keep that in mind. In other cities, buying a ticket with a card is easy.

Pro tip: No one-day or weekly tickets are available. However, if you get the app or buy a prepaid card, you can combine metro and bus rides on a single ticket. Otherwise, you must pay each time you enter a bus when changing lines.

City Buses and Trams

The city bus system may seem chaotic to a foreigner. There are a few things to bear in mind: buses are rarely on time, there are no schedules at stops, and drivers might decide to take a detour at any time—perhaps because a passenger requested a specific drop-off or simply because they dislike the route. One driver was so irritated by a car ahead that he began shouting, mimicked pulling a virtual hand grenade pin, and threw the grenade at the annoying vehicle. You should see how he pantomimed the explosion! Two others ignored traffic lights and speed limits. Once you get used to these quirks, buses are perfectly acceptable.

City bus in Rio. Note the turnstile.

Like the metro, all city buses use turnstiles to keep free riders away—you can only enter through the front door. No cash is accepted; you must pay by card, use a city transport card, or an app. Trams have platforms surrounded by fences where you must pay to enter the restricted area or ticket inspectors check that you’ve paid upon boarding.

A tram in Rio

Regional Buses

Brazilian states are large, so regional buses can take you several hundred kilometers away. They are safe, modern, and very affordable. Many offer reliable Wi-Fi. However, make sure you don’t need your ticket printed—some companies insist on it even if you buy online. These companies have printing machines at the bus terminals and don’t charge for the service. I’m not sure why they complicate the process this way, but be aware that your driver will not speak English, and you might have trouble understanding what he needs from you.

São Paulo bus terminal

Interstate Buses

Interstate buses are luxurious and comfortable, although the highways are not. On a ride from Ilhabela to Rio de Janeiro, my Fitbit recorded 6,000 steps—that’s how bumpy the roads were. For context, it doesn’t record any steps when I use Prague’s public transport. We even passed cyclists without lights or helmets at night on the highway, along with scooters and similar vehicles. In a nutshell, the buses are great; what might delay you is the weather or other traffic. You may also need to print your ticket, depending on the company.

Pro tip: Interstate buses usually have mini-fridges with water available for free. You'll appreciate that in the dry season.

Interstate buses lack turnstiles; there are doors the drivers lock to protect themselves instead.

Domestic Flights

Unless you’re traveling on specific dates like Christmas, Carnival week, or Brazilian holidays, domestic flights are extremely affordable—starting at around $20. Cabin luggage and seat selection are included, while checked baggage comes at an extra cost. Unlike European low-cost airlines, refreshments are included. Most flights are operated by comfortable Embraer aircraft. Domestic flights also have almost no security checks, so arriving at the airport an hour before your flight is generally sufficient, even at larger airports.

Ferries

Ferries are often free for pedestrians; you only pay for vehicles. However, boarding with a car might be tricky during rush hours, and there’s no ticketing system—you wait in a queue. Our host in Ilhabela mentioned that once, she had to wait for seven hours, and waiting for over an hour isn’t uncommon. Unless you plan to rent a car, there’s no need to worry about taking a ferry.

Trains

This is actually the only mode of transport I haven’t used. Brazil has only a few hundred kilometers of obsolete railroad, though a modern connection between cities like Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, or Belo Horizonte is under construction. A ride from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro would take just over an hour, with an operational speed of 320 km/h. Until then, you will likely avoid trains—unless you’re a train buff. Interstate buses or domestic flights will suffice instead.

Česky

Vlastně se mi to celé nechce překládat do češtiny. Myslím, že komu by takové shrnutí mohlo být užitečné, hravě si to přečte i v angličtině. Tak snad jen několik poznámek a doplnění pro české čtenáře - myslím, že ve zdejším publiku není moc těch, kteří by využívali Uber, potažmo jiné formy taxislužby. Někde na maloměstě to asi smysl nedává, a v Praze víceméně taky ne, je to celkem malé město se skvělou hromadnou dopravou, kterou se slušně dostanete, kam potřebujete, i v noci. V Brazílii jsou ale místa, kterým je lepší se vyhnout, a Uber je skvělý způsob, jak je levně překonat. Na nějaké pravidelné trasy a jízdní řády se tu navíc moc nehraje.

Regionální (ono je to "regionální" celkem relativní, protože většina brazilských států je větší než Česko, a obvykle dost výrazně) i mezistátní autobusy jsou vesměs moderní a pohodlné. Je na ně celkem spoleh, ale dálnice jsou takové všelijaké. Navíc na nich klidně narazíte na cyklistu. Bez helmy. A v noci i bez světel. Jsou nejběžnějším dopravním prostředkem pro Brazilce. Konkurují jim vnitrostátní lety, které jsou sice za pár stovek, ale pro místní jsou i tak relativně drahé.

Železnici mají v Brazílii zastaralou, a používají ji minimálně. Ale už se staví moderní rychlodráha, kterou možná znáte z vyspělejších států. Propojí největší města, a s cestovní rychlostí 320 km/h strčí tu naši hravě do kapsy.